Effect of Gymnodinium Breve Toxin(s) on Frog Skin and the Giant Axon of the Squid

Abstract

A partially purified toxin from the dinoflagellate Gymnodinium breve was found to elicit a transient increase in the active transport in frog skin, and a spontaneous train of action potentials in the giant axon of the squid. Both effects were concentration dependent, reversible, and suggest the existence of unique sites of action of this toxin.

Key Words:

• Red tide
• G. breve
• giant axon
• action potentials
• frog skin
• active transport