What is "nodularin"

Nodularin-R is a cyclic nonribosomal peptide produced by the cyanobacterium Nodularia spumigena. This cyanobacterium forms blooms in brackish water bodies throughout the world. The late summer blooms of Nodularia spumigena are among the largest cyanobacterial mass occurrences in the world. Nodularin-R is a cyclic pentapeptide and contains several unusual non- proteinogenic amino acids such as N-methyl-didehydroaminobutyric acid and the β-amino acid ADDA. Nodularin-R is a potent hepatotoxin and may cause serious damage to the liver of humans and other animals.