Overview of Marine Toxin Research in Cuba

Abstract

Toxin research in Cuba has made some important contributions to the field in recent decades. Most of the work carried out on marine toxins has been devoted to the isolation, purification, and characterization of polypeptide substances. The purification, molecular, and functional characterization as well as the pharmacological properties of these toxins are revised. The toxin battery described includes new biomolecules: sticholysins I and II, cytolysins from Stichodactyla helianthus; BgK and ShK, two K + channel blockers purified from Bunodosoma granulifera and S. helianthus, respectively; and BgII and III, two Na + channeltoxinsfrom B. granulifera.