Tetrodotoxin: essential data

Home	News	History	General	Links	Bookstore
Biological Gateway		Chemical Gateway		Radiological Gateway

Tetrodotoxin: essential data
Symptoms and Treatment, Toxicity, Chemistry, Site of Action, Sources, Properties, Terrorist Interest, IDC Codes
Return to Top
Symptoms, Treatment, Decontamination
Syndrome Name	Puffer fish poisoning Fugu poisoning Tetradon poisoning
Symptoms	Tingling, numbness, weakness, lightheadedness limp paralysis leading to dyspnea, cyanosis, cardiac arrhythmia leading to death
Onset of Symptoms	Within 20 minutes to three hours
Rapid diagnostic assay	None available. Sensitive chemical assays for tetrodotoxin have been developed but not approved for use.
Antidote	None available
Supportive Care	Artificial respiration to support breathing
Inactivation

Return to Top

Toxicity in Mice
Route	LD₅₀(micrograms/kg)
Intravenous	8.7
Intraperitoneal	8-10
Subcutaneous	11.5

Return to Top

Chemical Properties
Structure
CA Name	5,9:710a-Dimethano-10aH-[1,3]dioxocino[6,5-d]pyrimidine- 4,7,10,11,12-pentol, octahydro-12-(hydroxymethyl)-2-imino-,
Trivial Names	Anhydrotetrodotoxin Araregai toxin 4-Epitetrodotoxin Maculotoxin Spheroidine Tarichatoxin Tetrodonic acid (-)-Tetrodotoxin TTX
Registry Number	4368-28-9
RTECS Number	IO1450000
Molecular Formula	C₁₁H₁₇N₃O₈
Molecular weight	319.3
Solubility	Soluble in dilute acetic or sulfuric acid. Limited solubility in ethanol and ether. Insoluble in organic solvents
pKa in water	No
Complete synthesis	No.

Return to Top

Site of Action

Tetrodotoxin binds to the sodium channel of the nerve preventing the passage of sodium ions through the cell membrane and therefore of the nerve impulse. Although its target is very similar to that of saxitoxin, the two appear to act independently.

Return to Top

Source

Exposure to tetrodotoxin typically comes from eating tetrodotoxin-containing organs of the puffer of the genus Fugu along with a number other forms of sea and freshwater animals. There are several cases of deaths from fugu poisoning in Japan every year and deaths have occurred worldwide from eating improperly labeled puffer fish. The toxin is not made by the fish, but appears to be made by relatively common marine bacteria, specifically Pseudoalteromonas haloplanktis tetraodonis that associates with these animals. There is therefore a risk that the toxin could be manufactured on a significant scale by fermentation.

Return to Top

Agent Properties

Relatively is little is known about tetrodotoxin as a possible toxin weapon although the Japanese did some work on its weaponization at Unit 731 during World War II. It is included on the Australia Group lists by reason of its toxicity. It is not known to be made in large quantities that could be used in weapons and little or nothing is known about its inhalation toxicity.

Return to Top