US EPA

7418974 

Journal Article 

Microcystins and two new micropeptin cyanopeptides produced by unprecedented Microcystis aeruginosa blooms in North Carolina's Cape Fear River 

Isaacs, JD; Strangman, WK; Barbera, AE; Mallin, MA; Mciver, MR; Wright, JL; , 

2014 

Yes 

Harmful Algae
ISSN: 1568-9883 

ELSEVIER 

AMSTERDAM 

31 

82-86 

English 

28040114 

10.1016/j.hal.2013.09.010 

WOS:000330497500010 

https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S156898831300139X
Exit
 

The Cape Fear River is the largest river system in North Carolina. It is heavily used as a source of drinking water for humans and livestock as well as a source of irrigation water for crops, and production water for industry. It also serves as a major fishery for both commercial and recreational use. In recent years, possibly related to increased eutrophication of the river, massive blooms of cyanobacteria, identified as Microcystis aeruginosa have been observed. Bloom samples collected in 2009 and 2012 were chemically analyzed to determine if they contained cyanobacterial toxins known as microcystins. Both blooms were found to produce microcystins in high yields. Microcystins are potent hepatotoxins that can be bio-accumulated in the food chain. Recent biological studies have also shown a host of other potentially harmful effects of low level microcystin exposure. Detailed chemical analysis of these blooms led us to discover that these blooms produce an additional family of cyanobacterial peptides know as the micropeptins, including two new members named micropeptins 1106 and 1120. The biological activities of these new molecules have not yet been determined, although protease activity has been well documented for this peptide group. These data indicate a need for thorough monitoring of toxin levels especially during bloom events in addition to additional biological testing of other cyanopeptides present in blooms. 

Cape Fear River; Cyanopeptide; Harmful algal bloom; Microcystin; Microcystis aeruginosa; Micropeptin; North Carolina