Description
Penitrem A is a neuroactive mycotoxin initially produced by species of Penicillum. Penitrem A exhibits tremorgenic activity. In vitro and in vivo, penitrem A inhibits Ca2+/voltage-sensitive K+ (BK) channels. Penitrem A also potentiates GABA-A receptor function in the forebrain and inhibits uptake of GABA and glutamate into synaptosomes. Additionally, penitrem A may disrupt learning acquisition but not memory or task performance in animal models examining passive avoidance testing.
References
Moldes-Anaya A, Rundberget T, Fæste CK, et al. Neurotoxicity of Penicillium crustosum secondary metabolites: tremorgenic activity of orally administered penitrem A and thomitrem A and E in mice. Toxicon. 2012 Dec 15;60(8):1428-35. PMID: 23085423.
Asano S, Bratz IN, Berwick ZC, et al. Penitrem A as a tool for understanding the role of large conductance Ca(2+)/voltage-sensitive K(+) channels in vascular function. J Pharmacol Exp Ther. 2012 Aug;342(2):453-60. PMID: 22580348.
Moldes-Anaya AS, Fonnum F, Eriksen GS, et al. In vitro neuropharmacological evaluation of penitrem-induced tremorgenic syndromes: importance of the GABAergic system. Neurochem Int. 2011 Dec;59(7):1074-81. PMID: 21924313.
Deschaux O, Bizot JC. Effects of penitrem A on rat's performances in passive avoidance and Morris water maze tests. Mycopathologia. 1997;138(2):99-104. PMID: 9433810.