Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 11, 2026
Isolation of Translating Ribosomes Containing Peptidyl-tRNAs for Functional and Structural Analyses
Published on: February 25, 2011
Occupational sensitization to ribosome-inactivating proteins in researchers
K Szalai1, I Schöll, E Förster-Waldl
1Center of Physiology and Pathophysiology, University Children's Hospital, Medical University of Vienna, Austria.
Background:
Ribosome-inactivating proteins (RIPs) are expressed in many plants. Because of their anti-infectious and anti-proliferative effects, intensive research is going on for applying these toxins in therapy against viral infections or malignancies. Recently, we demonstrated that type I allergy against RIPs from elderberry can occur.
Objective:
Stimulated by our study, a group of RIP researchers reported that some of the employees had suspected allergy to RIPs.
Methods And Results:
We tested their sera in ELISA on natural RIPs. Specific IgE in four subjects were found against dianthin30, gelonin, momordin, PAP-S, saporin, ricin and volkensin. In contrast, asparin and lychnin did not show any IgE binding. When separating extracts of plants containing the toxins in SDS-PAGE, RIPs appeared to be the predominant constituents. Interestingly, among the other plant proteins, they were exclusively recognized by IgE in immunoblot. RIPs derived from close botanical families share high sequence homologies. Nevertheless, in IgE inhibition experiments with human sera, cross-reactivity between RIPs also derived from non-related plants could be demonstrated.
Conclusion:
We conclude that sensitization and IgE induction to RIPs may occur upon exposure. This has to be considered when applying them in therapy against malignancies or viral infections.
Related Concept Videos
01:27Ribosomes
01:23Types of RNA
Three main types of RNA are involved in protein synthesis: messenger RNA (mRNA), transfer RNA (tRNA), and ribosomal RNA (rRNA). These RNAs perform diverse functions and can be broadly classified as protein-coding or non-coding RNA. Non-coding RNAs play important roles in the regulation of gene expression in response to developmental and environmental changes. Non-coding RNAs in prokaryotes can be manipulated to develop more effective antibacterial drugs for human or animal use.
RNA...
02:31Nuclear Export of mRNA
02:53Ribosomal RNA Synthesis
Ribosome biogenesis begins with the synthesis of 5S and 45S pre-rRNAs by distinct RNA polymerases. The primary transcripts are extensively processed and modified before they are bound and folded by ribosomal proteins and assembly factors,...
01:56Riboswitches
The aptamer has high specificity for a particular metabolite which allows riboswitches to specifically regulate...
02:24Ribosome Profiling
Applications of ribosome profiling
Ribosome profiling has many applications, including in vivo monitoring of translation inside a particular organ or tissue type and quantifying new protein synthesis levels.
The technique helps...