[Histonet] Reproductive Toxins

[Philip Oshel]

I would add to this list phalloidin (and phallocidin), a mycotoxin 
that binds to filamentous actin (f actin). Commonly conjugated to a 
fluorochrome (e.g. Rhodamine, FITC, Texas Red) to light up the actin 
filaments in cytoskeletons.
Phil

>    It is true that few plant or animal toxins are uses in histology labs.
>Cottonmouth mocassin venom is used to prepare the substrate for
>demonstrating phospholipase B. Fluoroescent-labelled banded krait (the "dust
>snake" in RIKKI-TIKKI-TAVI) is used to demonstrate nicotinic acetylcholine
>receptors.  Ouabain (from an African tree) is used as a control in
>demonstrating sodium/potassium ATPase.
>    Nevertheless, many things in a histology labe are toxic.  Since MSDS's
>tell you that everything (including table sugar) is toxic, it is hard find
>the real toxicity data in them.  (Hint: it is usually buried 2/3 of the way
>down the second page as LD50 (how much has a 50% chance of killing you) or
>TWA (the maximum concentration you can safely have in the air around you).
>Often the MSDS wont't give you either piece of information.
>    I look up the toxicity of dyes in Dapson's HAZARDOUS MATERIALS IN THE
>HISTOPATHOLOGY LABORATORY.  I look up the toxicity of everything else in
>Lewis's HAZARDOUS CHEMICALS DESK REFERENCE.  The former is an indispensible
>reference; the latter is very nice to have.
>
>Allen A. Smith, Ph.D.
>Professor of Anatomy
>Barry University School of Graduate Medical Sciences
>     Podiatric Medicine and Surgery
>Miami Shores, Florida  33161
>
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
>[mailto:histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Angela
>Bitting
>Sent: Monday, March 06, 2006 4:08 PM
>To: histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
>Subject: [Histonet] Reproductive Toxins
>
>Does anyone know how to tell if something in the Histo lab is a reproductive
>toxin or acute toxin? Some of the MSDS sheets are no help at all. Anyone
>else having this problem?
>
>Angela Bitting, HT(ASCP)
>Technical Specialist, Histology
>Geisinger Medical Center
>100 N Academy Ave. MC 23-00
>Danville, PA 17822
>phone  570-214-9634
>fax  570-271-5916
-- 
Philip Oshel
Microscopy Facility Supervisor
Department of Biology
Central Michigan University
024C Brooks Hall
Mt. Pleasant, MI 48859
(989) 774-3576