Session: Undergraduate Research Posters: Biochemistry:

The eastern newt (Notophthalmus viridescens) and pufferfish (tetradontadae) are species that are known to secrete tetrodotoxin (TTX). Tetrodotoxin is useful to these species as a predatory inhibitor measure. This powerful neurotoxin blocks voltage-gated sodium channels, which eventually leads to the death of the exposed organism by impeding the ability of neurons to produce action potentials. This lack of action potential leads to muscle and nerve paralysis and inhibits heart and brain function. The goal of this project is to quantitively determine the amount of TTX that the eastern newt produces throughout its life cycle by using the selected ion monitoring (SIM) function of a mass spectrometer paired with gas chromatography. Instrumental sensitivity to tetrodotoxin has been verified using laboratory grade TTX. Extractions of TTX from the skin of eastern newts will be run on the GCMS-SIM protocol, and these results will ultimately be used to generate a standard curve of tetrodotoxin quantity versus newt maturity. These results will show if TTX production varies throughout the newt’s life cycle and will allow for the calculation of TTX concentration in a newt of known age.

Dr. Robin McCann

Professor and Chair, Shippensburg University

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