Microcystin-LR and okadaic acid-induced cellular effects: a dualistic response.

Microcystins, potent heptapeptide hepatotoxins produced by certain bloom-forming cyanobacteria, are strong protein phosphatase inhibitors. They covalently bind the serine/threonine protein phosphatases 1 and 2A (PP1 and PP2A), thereby influencing regulation of cellular protein phosphorylation. The paralytic shellfish poison, okadaic acid, is also a potent inhibitor of these PPs. Inhibition of PP1 and PP2A has a dualistic effect on cells exposed to okadaic acid or microcystin-LR, with both apoptosis and increased cellular proliferation being reported. This review summarises the existing data on the molecular effects of microcystin-LR inhibition of PP1 and PP2A both in vivo and in vitro, and where possible, compares this to the action of okadaic acid.