Biologically active polypeptides in the venom of the jellyfish Rhopilema nomadica

Abstract A tropical jellyfish, Rhopilema nomadica (Scyphozoa, Rhizostomeae) has recently invaded the eastern Mediterranean. Its painful stings have been the bane of bathers and fishermen from Egypt to Turkey. This paper reports on the presence of haemolytic activity and α-chymotrypsin-like serine protease activity in the venom of the R. nomadica nematocysts. In addition, the presence of phospholipase A 2 activity, which has been described previously, is confirmed. Some properties of these activities are defined.