ISOLATION OF A NOVEL FLUORESCENT TOXIN FROM THE CORAL-REEF CRAB, LOPHOZOZYMUS-PICTOR

A novel toxin has been isolated from an aqueous extract of the coral r eef crab Lophozozymus pictor by a combination of ion exchange and two- dimensional thin layer chromatography. The isolated toxin exhibited bi oactivities similar to palytoxin (toxicity response of mice, cytotoxic ity towards HeLa cells and release of potassium ions from rat erythroc ytes). Unlike palytoxin it gave an intense blue fluorescence under ult raviolet light. A fluorescence scan showed that the toxin had a maximu m excitation wavelength at 285 nm and a maximum emission wavelength at 355 nm. The toxin was distinguishable from palytoxin when analysed by high performance capillary electrophoresis and reverse phase high per formance liquid chromatography.