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Domoic acid (DA) is a potent neurotoxin produced by certain marine diatoms such as Pseudo-nitzschia spp. It is the causative agent of amnesic shellfish poisoning (ASP) in humans and poses a serious threat to seafood safety and public health. Our high-affinity, highly specific matched antigen-antibody pairs are developed to enable reliable and sensitive detection of domoic acid in food, environmental, and research applications.
Domoic acid (CAS 14277-97-5, C15H21NO6) is a naturally occurring neurotoxin produced by certain species of marine diatoms, most notably those in the Pseudo-nitzschia genus. Crustaceans, fish and shellfish are capable of accumulating elevated levels of domoic acid without apparent ill effects on the animals. Exposure to this compound affects the brain, causing seizures, delirium and possibly death.
Chemically, it is a tricarboxylic amino acid that structurally resembles glutamic acid. Due to this similarity, DA can bind to and overactivate glutamate receptors in the central nervous system, leading to excitotoxicity and irreversible neural damage.
Fig. 1 Chemical Structure Depiction of DA
DA was originally identified following a major shellfish poisoning event in Canada in 1987. The poisoning was characterized by a constellation of clinical symptoms and signs, involving multiple organ systems, including the gastrointestinal tract, the central nervous system (CNS) and the cardiovascular system. Among the most prominent features described was memory impairment, which led to the name Amnesic Shellfish Poisoning (ASP). DA has since become a widely monitored marine biotoxin.
DA inhibits neurochemical processes, causing short-term memory loss, brain damage, and, in severe cases, death in humans. In marine mammals, domoic acid typically causes seizures and tremors. Studies have shown that there are no symptomatic effects in humans at levels of 0.5 mg/kg of body weight. The exact LD50 for humans is unknown; for mice the LD50 is 3.6 mg/kg.
The effects of domoic acid have been attributed to several mechanisms, but the one of concern is through glutamate receptors. Domoic acid is an excitatory amino acid analogue of glutamate; a neurotransmitter in the brain that activates glutamate receptors. Domoic acid has a very strong affinity for these receptors, which results in excitotoxicity initiated by an integrative action on ionotropic glutamate receptors at both sides of the synapse, coupled with the effect of blocking the channel from rapid desensitization. In addition there is a synergistic effect with endogenous glutamate and N-Methyl-D-aspartate receptor agonists that contribute to the excitotoxicity.
DA can be detected using various methods, including HPLC-UV, ELISA, and bioassays, primarily for monitoring shellfish and other marine products. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) coupled with ultraviolet (UV) detection is a widely used method for identifying and quantifying domoic acid in shellfish. ELISA (Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay) is another common technique, utilizing antibodies to detect domoic acid in samples. Bioassays, which involve observing biological effects of the toxin, can also be used.
In recent decades, climate change and coastal eutrophication have increased the frequency and severity of harmful algal blooms (HABs), intensifying the need for reliable domoic acid surveillance.
References
| Cat. No. | Product Name | Application | |
| CABT-JXM16 | Mouse Anti-Domoic acid Monoclonal Antibody, clone 9F1F11 | ELISA | Inquiry |
| DAG-WT092 | Domoic Acid [OVA] | ELISA | Inquiry |
| DAGPY1219B | Domoic Acid [BSA] | ELISA | Inquiry |
| DAG-WT093 | Domoic Acid [BSA] | ELISA | Inquiry |
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