Characterization and partial purification of the toxin of Lepiota morganii.

FRmmwK I. EmEm and Louis R. nkhsosvm Characterization and partial purification of the toxin of Lepiota morganil. Toxicon 12, 557-563, 1974.-The toxin of L . rnorganll is present throughout the mushroom, but most concentrated in the cap tissue . It is heat labile, losing all detectable activity in 30 min at 70°. The toxin is proteinaceous, with an approximate molecular weight in excess of 400,000 Daltons and composed of sub-units of approximately 40,00060,000 Daltons . Attempts to degrade the toxin with proteolytic enzymes were partially successful in that some loss of activity was effected . The toxin administered to mice and chicks produced the following symptoms : hesitancy to move, drowsirKm,, tremors, abdominal contractions (forced breathing), and death.