The genetics and genomics of cyanobacterial toxicity

The past ten years has witnessed major advances in our understanding of natural product biosynthesis, including the genetic basis for toxin production by a number of groups of cyanobacteria. Cyanobacteria produce an unparalleled array of bioactive secondary metabolites; including alkaloids, polyketides and non-ribosomal peptides, some of which are potent toxins. This paper addresses the molecular genetics underlying cyanotoxin production in fresh and brackish water environments. The major toxins that have been investigated include microcystin, cylindrospermopsin, nodularin, the paralytic shellfish poisons (PSP), including saxitoxin, and the anatoxins.