Cytolytic Toxins from Sea Anemones

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Abstract
A number of cytolytic toxins are commonly found in sea anemones. They represent a unique class of animal toxins considering their biochemical characteristics and biological activity. Sea anemone cytolysins are lethal polypeptides which act directly at the membrane level and have potent cardiotoxic activity. Cytotoxic, cytocidal and cytostatic activity were also detected. In general they are basic proteins which usually lack Cys or Met residues. Sea anemone cytolysins are slightly hydrophilic molecules which, however, possess large hydrophobic domains which could insert and span across cell membranes and thus form an ion channel. Cytolytic activity of all except one cytolysin can be prevented by sphingomyelin. Purification, biochemical characterization of sea anemone cytolysins and their mechanisms of action are discussed in the following review article.