VENOM OF MARINE SNAIL CONUS-CALIFORNICUS - BIOCHEMICAL-STUDIES OF A CHOLINOMIMETIC COMPONENT

An extract from the venom of the marine snail Conus californicus, which has cholinomimetic effects in Mercenaria heart and Aplysia central neurons, was partially purified by gel filtration and preparative silica gel and cellulose thin layer chromatography. Cholinomimetic activity was retained after heating to 100°C for one hour, exposure to pH 2 or pH 10, and incubation with proteases, nucleases, and cholinesterases, and was destroyed by boiling in 1-0 M NaOH or 1-0 M HCl for one hour. Gel filtration, thin layer electrophoresis and analytical cellulose thin layer chromatography using indicator spray reagents indicated that the cholinomimetic is a low molecular weight, positively charged alkaloid compound. © 1979.