Metagenomic analysis of okadaic acid exposure on gut bacterial in rats

Okadaic acid (OA) is an important marine lipophilic phycotoxin with various pathological properties, responsible for diarrheal shellfish poisoning events in human beings over the world. However, to date no mechanism can well explain the toxicity and symptom of OA, even diarrhea. Here, to reveal the toxic mechanism of OA to mammals, we analyzed the metabolism of OA in rat and the effects of OA exposure on the composition and function of gut bacteria. Metagenomic analysis is one of the methods used.