The discovery of BMAA, and examples of biomagnification and protein incorporation involving other non-protein amino acids

Abstract

Because of the similarity of ALS/PDC symptoms to those of the paralytic disease lathyrism, cycad seeds from Guam were analyzed for the presence of the non-protein amino acid b-ODAP, which is known to cause lathyrism. Although b-ODAP was not detected, a novel non-protein amino acid, now known as BMAA, was isolated. Primates are more sensitive to BMAA than rodents. It is possible that BMAA when ingested at a low concentration over a long period might be responsible for ALS/PDC. Some non-protein amino acids, including domoic acid and indospicine, are known to be biomagnified. Other non-protein amino acids including azetidine-2-carboxylic acid, canavanine, and selenium containing analogues of cystine and methionine have been shown to be misincorporated into proteins. Perhaps BMAA will not be the only non-protein amino acid that will be found in the brain tissues of those who died of a neurological disease.

Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest.