PKZILLA-1 the Largest Protein Ever Identified, 25% Bigger Than Titin

Scientists at UC San Diego's Scripps Institution of Oceanography have identified PKZILLA-1, the largest protein known in biology, during research on toxin production in the marine alga Prymnesium parvum. 

This protein, measuring 4.7 megadaltons, is 25% larger than titin, the previous record-holder. PKZILLA-1 and its counterpart PKZILLA-2 are essential for synthesizing prymnesin, a toxin responsible for significant fish kills. 

The discovery enhances understanding of protein synthesis and may improve monitoring of harmful algal blooms by detecting associated genes before toxins are released