Further studies on the biochemistry of the toxins from the sea wasp Chironex fleckeri

Extracts from the tentacles of Chironex fleckeri (Cnidaria) were resolved into two lethal fractions by chromatography on CM-Sephadex C-50. These were apparently identical to the two fractions previously resolved on Sephadex G-200. The hemolysin in the extracts was also examined by thin-layer chromatography on Sephadex G-200 and by various electrophoretic techniques. It was shown that the hemolysin associated markedly with the various support media, which made electrophoresis of little use. The tentacle extracts and a toxin obtained by a milking technique were compared by chromatography and shown to be very similar if not identical in their biological activities. Some data on the stability of the hemolysin was also obtained.