A rapid and repeatable method for venom extraction from Cubozoan nematocysts

Carrette, Teresa; Seymour, Jamie

doi:10.1016/j.toxicon.2004.04.008

Cited by 95 publications

(45 citation statements)

References 13 publications

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“…It is widely assumed that the venom of cnidarians is produced in the nematocytes and is injected via the nematocysts upon encounter [1,3]. Direct proof for this assumption relies mostly on chromatographic fractionation of nematocysts from several species [6][7][8], and on immunolocalization of phospholipases and pore-forming toxins to the nematocysts of a single jellyfish and a single sea anemone species, respectively [9,10]. Intriguingly, the nematocyst-derived fractions were often less toxic than whole tentacle extracts, raising the possibility that toxins may also reside in nonnematocyst compartments [11,12].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Neurotoxin localization to ectodermal gland cells uncovers an alternative mechanism of venom delivery in sea anemones

et al. 2011

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Jellyfish, hydras, corals and sea anemones (phylum Cnidaria) are known for their venomous stinging cells, nematocytes, used for prey and defence. Here we show, however, that the potent Type I neurotoxin of the sea anemone Nematostella vectensis, Nv1, is confined to ectodermal gland cells rather than nematocytes. We demonstrate massive Nv1 secretion upon encounter with a crustacean prey. Concomitant discharge of nematocysts probably pierces the prey, expediting toxin penetration. Toxin efficiency in sea water is further demonstrated by the rapid paralysis of fish or crustacean larvae upon application of recombinant Nv1 into their medium. Analysis of other anemone species reveals that in Anthopleura elegantissima, Type I neurotoxins also appear in gland cells, whereas in the common species Anemonia viridis, Type I toxins are localized to both nematocytes and ectodermal gland cells. The nematocyte-based and gland cell-based envenomation mechanisms may reflect substantial differences in the ecology and feeding habits of sea anemone species. Overall, the immunolocalization of neurotoxins to gland cells changes the common view in the literature that sea anemone neurotoxins are produced and delivered only by stinging nematocytes, and raises the possibility that this toxin-secretion mechanism is an ancestral evolutionary state of the venom delivery machinery in sea anemones.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Neurotoxin localization to ectodermal gland cells uncovers an alternative mechanism of venom delivery in sea anemones

et al. 2011

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“…There is no standardized method for recovering venoms from Scyphozoa (Carrette and Seymour 2004). However, the utilization of ultrasound for the extraction of nematocysts and the preparation of whole venoms has been proven to be an appropriate method for the toxicological analysis of jellyfish.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Cnidom analysis combined with an in vitro evaluation of the lytic, cyto- and neurotoxic potential of <i>Cyanea capillata</i> (Cnidaria: Scyphozoa)

Helmholz¹,

Wiebring²,

Lassen³

et al. 2011

Sci. Mar.

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SUMMARY:The cnidocysts and the lytic, cyto-and neurotoxic potency of a large specimen of Cyanea capillata (L.) with 55 cm umbrella diameter were compared with those of a pooled C. capillata sample (average ø 14 cm) in order to investigate organismal developments at a cellular and biochemical level. Nematocysts of the type A-isorhiza in both fishing tentacles and oral arms and the O-isorhizas of oral arms were enlarged in the 55 cm specimen. Additionally, the number of nematocysts per battery in the fishing tentacles was increased. Increased gill cell toxicity and neurotoxic activity were demonstrated for the fishing tentacle venom of the 55 cm C. capillata in comparison with the smaller medusae. A two-fold higher haemolytic activity was detected for the venom of oral arms obtained from the large C. capillata compared with the oral arm venom prepared from the smaller medusae.Keywords: Cnidaria, Scyphozoa, Cyanea, jellyfish, cnidom, venom, cytotoxicity, neurotoxicity. RESUMEN: Análisis del cnidoma combinado con una evaluación in vitro del potencial lítico, cyto-y neurotóxicos de Cyanea Capillata (Cnidaria: Scyphozoa). -Con el fin de estudiar la evolución ontogenética a un nivel celular y bioquímico de los cnidocistos de la potencia lítica, y las características cito-y neurotóxicas de Cyanea capillata (L.), se ha comparado un ejemplar de 55 cm de diámetro de umbrela de la especie con una muestra de varios ejemplares de C. capillata (promedio 14 cm de diámetro). Tanto los nematocistos del tipo A isorhiza de los tentáculos marginales como en los mesentéricos y los nematocistos del tipo O isorhizas de tentáculos orales fueron mayores en el ejemplar de C. capillata de 55 cm. Además, el número de nematocistos por zona de agregación fue mayor en el ejemplar de 55 cm. En cuanto a la actividad tóxica de los cnidocistos, ésta fue superior tanto a nivel de célula como de la actividad de la toxina (veneno) en los tentáculos marginales del ejemplar de 55 cm frente a los ejemplares más pequeños de la especie. También se observó una actividad hemolítica de la toxina (veneno) dos veces superior en los cnidocistos de los tentáculos marginales del ejemplar grande, 55 cm de C. capillata frente a los ejemplares pequeños.

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“…Commonly known as jellyfish, anemones and corals, cnidarians are characterized by specialized cellular organelles named cnidae (phylogenetically defined by Marques & Collins, 2004;Collins et al, 2006;Van Iten et al, 2006). Some of these organelles, known as nematocysts, may inject toxins through a penetrative thread into the victim (Carrette & Seymour, 2004). In addition, nematocysts can be very useful to identify species (e.g., Williamson et al, 1996;Marques, 2001), even cryptic ones (e.g., Collins et al, 2011), and to infer feeding behavior and ecology (Endean & Rifkin, 1975), or even estimate the size of the individual (Carrette et al, 2002).…”

Section: ___________________mentioning

confidence: 99%

Getting information from ethanol preserved nematocysts of the venomous cubomedusa Chiropsalmus quadrumanus: a simple technique to facilitate the study of nematocysts

Mejía-Sánchez

Marques

2013

lajar

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ABSTRACT.Preserved specimens make it difficult to study nematocysts. We tested an hydration protocol on ethanol preserved tentacles of Chiropsalmus quadrumanus (Cubomedusae) during a period of ten days, and quantified the success of retrieval of information. After six days of hydration, it was possible to observe discharged and undischarged capsules of the three types of nematocysts. We conclude that hydration is a possible solution to study various aspects of the cnidome, recovering information otherwise lost. Keywords: Cubozoa, nematocysts, taxonomy, venom, hydration. Obteniendo información de nematocistos de la cubomedusa venenosaChiropsalmus quadrumanus, conservados en etanol: una técnica sencilla para facilitar el estudio de nematocistos RESUMEN. Es difícil estudiar los nematocistos de muestras conservadas. Se ha probado un protocolo en los tentáculos de Chiropsalmus quadrumanus (Cubomedusae), conservados en etanol, consistente en la hidratación, durante un plazo de diez días, después de los cuales se cuantifica el éxito de la recuperación de la información del cnidoma. Después de seis días de hidratación, se observaron las cápsulas íntegras y descargadas de los tres tipos de nematocistos. Se concluye que la hidratación es una solución posible para estudiar diversos aspectos del cnidoma, recuperando información que al contrario se perdería.

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A rapid and repeatable method for venom extraction from Cubozoan nematocysts

Cited by 95 publications

References 13 publications

Neurotoxin localization to ectodermal gland cells uncovers an alternative mechanism of venom delivery in sea anemones

Neurotoxin localization to ectodermal gland cells uncovers an alternative mechanism of venom delivery in sea anemones

Cnidom analysis combined with an in vitro evaluation of the lytic, cyto- and neurotoxic potential of <i>Cyanea capillata</i> (Cnidaria: Scyphozoa)

Getting information from ethanol preserved nematocysts of the venomous cubomedusa Chiropsalmus quadrumanus: a simple technique to facilitate the study of nematocysts

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