Bioactive toxins from stinging jellyfish

• Jellyfish venoms induce mild to deadly symptoms in human.
• Jellyfish venom toxins or partially purified fractions are reviewed.
• Most of the described toxins belong to the same family of pore forming toxins, specific to medusozoans.
• Detailed knowledge of the specificities of jellyfish venom is still scarce.

Jellyfish blooms occur throughout the world. Human contact with a jellyfish induces a local reaction of the skin, which can be painful and leave scaring. Systemic symptoms are also observed and contact with some species is lethal. A number of studies have evaluated the in vitro biological activity of whole jellyfish venom or of purified fractions. Hemolytic, cytotoxic, neurotoxic or enzymatic activities are commonly observed. Some toxins have been purified and characterized. A family of pore forming toxins specific to Medusozoans has been identified. There remains a need for detailed characterization of jellyfish toxins to fully understand the symptoms observed in vivo.