Okadaic acid ammonium salt is primarily used in biochemical research as a potent inhibitor of protein phosphatases, specifically PP1 and PP2A. It is widely employed to study cellular processes such as signal transduction, cell cycle regulation, and apoptosis. By inhibiting these phosphatases, it induces hyperphosphorylation of proteins, which helps researchers understand the role of phosphorylation in various cellular mechanisms. Additionally, it is utilized in toxicology studies to investigate the effects of phosphatase inhibition on cellular function and to model conditions related to phosphatase dysfunction. Its application extends to marine biology, where it is used to study the impact of algal toxins on marine organisms and ecosystems.