Sam, Sahh and Map gene expression during cell division and paralytic shellfish toxin production of Alexandrium catenella (Dinophyceae)

The expression of genes potentially involved in paralytic shellfish toxin (PST) biosynthesis was quantified during cell division of the dinoflagellate Alexandrium catenella. Basic precursors of the neurotoxic PST molecule(s), such as S-adenosylmethionine (SAM), have been hypothesised, but no genes coding for PST production have been definitively identified in dinoflagellates. Sam encodes the enzyme SAM synthetase and two other candidate PST genes S-adenosylhomocysteine hydrolase (Sahh) and methionine aminopeptidase (Map) have been previously identified in the closely related PST producing dinoflagellate Alexandrium fundyense. PST production and expression of Sam, Sahh and Map were examined concurrently during cell division in A. catenella