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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 13, 2026

Detection of Toxin Translocation into the Host Cytosol by Surface Plasmon Resonance

Detection of Toxin Translocation into the Host Cytosol by Surface Plasmon Resonance

Published on: January 3, 2012

Ricin toxin hits a retrograde roadblock.

Matthew N J Seaman¹, Andrew A Peden

¹Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Cambridge Institute for Medical Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 0XY, UK. mnjs100@cam.ac.uk

|April 21, 2010

Summary

Scientists found two small molecules that stop ricin and Shiga toxins from entering cells. These inhibitors protect mice from the deadly effects of ricin toxin.

Area of Science:

Cell Biology
Toxicology
Pharmacology

Background:

Plant ricin toxin and bacterial Shiga toxins inhibit protein synthesis and induce cell death.
These toxins utilize the endocytic and retrograde secretory pathways to enter cells.

Discussion:

The study identifies two novel small-molecule inhibitors.
These inhibitors specifically target and block the retrograde transport of toxins from endosomes back to the Golgi apparatus.
This selective blockade disrupts the toxins' intracellular trafficking.

Key Insights:

The identified inhibitors effectively prevent endosome-to-Golgi retrieval of ricin and Shiga toxins.
Demonstrated protection of mice from the lethal effects of ricin toxin.
Highlights a potential therapeutic strategy against toxin-induced cellular damage.

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Published on: February 21, 2019

A Simple Fluorescence-based Reporter Assay to Identify Cellular Components Required for Ricin Toxin A Chain (RTA) Trafficking in Yeast

A Simple Fluorescence-based Reporter Assay to Identify Cellular Components Required for Ricin Toxin A Chain (RTA) Trafficking in Yeast

Published on: December 15, 2017

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Last Updated: Jun 13, 2026

Detection of Toxin Translocation into the Host Cytosol by Surface Plasmon Resonance

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Analysis of Endocytic Uptake and Retrograde Transport to the Trans-Golgi Network Using Functionalized Nanobodies in Cultured Cells

Analysis of Endocytic Uptake and Retrograde Transport to the Trans-Golgi Network Using Functionalized Nanobodies in Cultured Cells

Published on: February 21, 2019

A Simple Fluorescence-based Reporter Assay to Identify Cellular Components Required for Ricin Toxin A Chain (RTA) Trafficking in Yeast

A Simple Fluorescence-based Reporter Assay to Identify Cellular Components Required for Ricin Toxin A Chain (RTA) Trafficking in Yeast

Published on: December 15, 2017

Outlook:

Further research may explore the broader therapeutic potential of these inhibitors against various protein synthesis-inhibiting toxins.
Investigating the precise molecular mechanisms of inhibitor action could lead to the development of more potent analogs.
Potential applications in developing countermeasures against bioterrorism agents.