Tutin (toxin)

Tutin
Clinical data
ATC code
  • none
Identifiers
  • (1S,2R,3S,5R,6R,7R,8S,9R,12R)-2,8-dihydroxy-7-methyl-12-prop-1-en-2-ylspiro[4,10-dioxatetracyclo[7.2.1.02,7.03,5]dodecane-6,2'-oxirane]-11-one
CAS Number
PubChem CID
ChemSpider
UNII
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)
ECHA InfoCard100.236.780 Edit this at Wikidata
Chemical and physical data
FormulaC15H18O6
Molar mass294.303 g·mol−1
3D model (JSmol)
  • CC(=C)[C@@H]1[C@@H]2[C@H]([C@]3([C@@]4(CO4)[C@H]5[C@@H]([C@]3([C@H]1C(=O)O2)O)O5)C)O
  • InChI=1S/C15H18O6/c1-5(2)6-7-12(17)20-8(6)9(16)13(3)14(4-19-14)10-11(21-10)15(7,13)18/h6-11,16,18H,1,4H2,2-3H3/t6-,7+,8+,9+,10+,11-,13-,14+,15-/m0/s1
  • Key:CCAZWUJBLXKBAY-ULZPOIKGSA-N
  (verify)

Tutin is a poisonous plant derivative found in New Zealand tutu plants (several species in the genus Coriaria). It acts as a potent antagonist of the glycine receptor,[1] and has powerful convulsant effects.[2] It is used in scientific research into the glycine receptor. It is sometimes associated with outbreaks of toxic honey poisoning when bees feed on honeydew exudate from the sap-sucking passion vine hopper (Scolypopa australis) insect, when the vine hoppers have been feeding on the sap of tutu bushes. Toxic honey is a rare event and is more likely to occur when comb honey is eaten directly from a hive that has been harvesting honeydew from passionvine hoppers feeding on tutu plants.[3]

  1. ^ Fuentealba J, Guzmán L, Manríquez-Navarro P, Pérez C, Silva M, Becerra J, et al. (March 2007). "Inhibitory effects of tutin on glycine receptors in spinal neurons". European Journal of Pharmacology. 559 (1): 61–64. doi:10.1016/j.ejphar.2006.12.018. PMID 17303114.
  2. ^ Zhou H, Tang YH, Zheng Y (May 2006). "A new rat model of acute seizures induced by tutin". Brain Research. 1092 (1): 207–213. doi:10.1016/j.brainres.2006.03.081. PMID 16674929. S2CID 23612567.
  3. ^ Animal Products Group (October 2003). "Background on toxic honey". New Zealand Food Safety Authority. Archived from the original on 4 January 2007.