Peptide fingerprinting of the neurotoxic fractions isolated from the secretions of sea anemones Stichodactyla helianthus and Bunodosoma granulifera. New members of the APETx-like family identified by a 454 pyrosequencing approach

► Peptide fingerprints of Stichodactyla helianthus and Bunodosoma granulifera exudates were achieved. ► A more complex profile of RP-HPLC is observed in B. granulifera exudate. ► Most abundant components in S. helianthus exudates are small peptides. ► Transcriptomics of B. granulifera (454 sequencing) reveals novel APETx-like peptides; full precursors were determined. ► Crab bioassay suggests novel small peptides (<2000 Da) as a new group of neurotoxins.