Biologically Active Peptides in Physalia Toxin.

Summary and conclusions The crude toxin of Physalia nematocysts withstands lyophilization without significant loss of toxicity. Physalia toxin may be separated into component peptides by one-dimensional chromatography in 80% aqueous n-propanol. Each of the resultant peptides retains considerable toxicity for the fiddler crab, Uca pugilator. Crude toxin of Physalia nematocysts has no effect on growth of marine yeasts or marine bacteria. Toxin preparations have been shown to be without significant effect on growth or reproduction of the ciliate protozoans, Paramecium caudatum and Tetrahymena gellii.