Occurrence of type 3 sodium channel peptide toxins in two species of sea anemones (Dofleinia armata and Entacmaea ramsayi).

From two species of sea anemones, Dofleinia armata and Entacmaea ramsayi, three peptide toxins (two from the former and one from the latter) with crab toxicity were purified and completely sequenced. The three toxins (30-32 residues) are highly homologous to each other and also to PaTX from Entacmaea actinostoloides, a type 3 sea anemone sodium channel toxin. This study reveals that there is a family of PaTX-like toxins in sea anemones.