Isolation and characterization of four toxic protein fractions from the sea anemone Anemonia sulcata.

A simple and rapid method is described for the isolation from the sea anemone Anemonia sulcata of four protein fractions of low molecular weight which have lethal activity against crabs. These proteins have been partially purified on ion exchange resins Dowex 50 W and CM cellulose and have been examined by zonal electrophoresis and micro isoelectric focusing. The stability of the fractions was determined under various experimental conditions. The fractions have strong paralytic action on Carcinus maenas. The toxic activity, however, greatly differs from one fraction to another.