Onchidal is a naturally occurring

neurotoxin Neurotoxins are toxins that are destructive to nerve tissue (causing neurotoxicity). Neurotoxins are an extensive class of exogenous chemical neurological insultsSpencer 2000 that can adversely affect function in both developing and mature ner ...

produced as a defensive secretion by the

mollusc Mollusca is the second-largest phylum of invertebrate animals after the Arthropoda, the members of which are known as molluscs or mollusks (). Around 85,000 extant species of molluscs are recognized. The number of fossil species is esti ...

'' Onchidella binneyi'' and several other related species in ''

Onchidella ''Onchidella'' is a genus of small, air-breathing sea slugs, shell-less marine pulmonate gastropod molluscs in the family Onchidiidae. Species According to the World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS), the following species with valid name ...

'', a genus of small, air-breathing sea slugs. It acts as an irreversible

acetylcholinesterase inhibitor Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (AChEIs) also often called cholinesterase inhibitors, inhibit the enzyme acetylcholinesterase from breaking down the neurotransmitter acetylcholine into choline and acetate, thereby increasing both the level and ...

, the same mechanism of action as that of the deadly

nerve agent Nerve agents, sometimes also called nerve gases, are a class of organic chemicals that disrupt the mechanisms by which nerves transfer messages to organs. The disruption is caused by the blocking of acetylcholinesterase (AChE), an enzyme that ...

s, however onchidal is not an

organophosphorus Organophosphorus compounds are organic compounds containing phosphorus. They are used primarily in pest control as an alternative to chlorinated hydrocarbons that persist in the environment. Some organophosphorus compounds are highly effective in ...

carbamate In organic chemistry, a carbamate is a category of organic compounds with the general formula and structure , which are formally derived from carbamic acid (). The term includes organic compounds (e.g., the ester ethyl carbamate), formally o ...

compound and bears little resemblance to other compounds of this nature.

References

Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors Invertebrate toxins Aldehydes Alkene derivatives Sesquiterpenes Acetate esters {{pharmacology-stub