J Appl Biomed 12:63-77, 2014 | DOI: 10.1016/j.jab.2014.02.005

Military potential of biological toxins

Xiujuan Zhang^a, Kamil Kuča^b,c,*, Vlastimil Dohnal^c, Lucie Dohnalová^d, Qinghua Wu^e, Chu Wu^a,*

^a College of Horticulture and Garden, Yangtze University, Jingzhou, Hubei 434023, People's Republic of China

^b Biomedical Research Center, University Hospital Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic

^c Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Hradec Kralove, Hradec Kralove, Rokitanskeho 62, 500 03, Czech Republic

^d Department of Hygiene, Faculty of Military Health, University of Defence, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic

^e National Reference Laboratory of Veterinary Drug Residues (HZAU), Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei 430070, People's Republic of China

Toxins are produced by bacteria, plants and animals for defense or for predation. Most of the toxins specifically affect the mammalian nervous system by interfering with the transmission of nerve impulses, and such toxins have the potential for misuse by the military or terrorist organizations. This review discusses the origin, structure, toxicity and symptoms, transmission, mechanism(s) of action, symptomatic treatment of the most important toxins and venoms derived from fungi, plants, marine animals, and microorganisms, along with their potential for use in bioweapons and/or biocrime. Fungal trichothecenes and aflatoxins are potent inhibitors of protein synthesis in most eukaryotes and have been used as biological warfare agents. Ricin and abrin are plant-derived toxins that prevent the elongation of polypeptide chains. Saxitoxin, anatoxin, and tetrodotoxin are marine-derived toxins that bind to sodium channels in nerve and muscle tissue and cause muscle paralysis. Most bacterial toxins, such as botulinum and Shiga affect either the nervous system (neurotoxins) or damage cell membranes. Batrachotoxins, which are secreted by poison-dart frogs are extremely potent cardiotoxic and neurotoxic steroidal alkaloids. The aim of this review is to provide basic information to enable further understanding of these toxins and their potential military uses.

Keywords: Military toxins; Trichothecenes; Venom toxins; Bioweapons; Toxicity

Received: November 27, 2013; Revised: February 17, 2014; Accepted: February 19, 2014; Published: April 1, 2014  Show citation