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Updated: May 22, 2026

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
The need for continued development of ricin countermeasures
Ronald B Reisler1, Leonard A Smith
1Division of Clinical Medicine, Clinical Research Management Inc., Team Ke'aki Tech, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, 1425 Porter Street, Fort Detrick, MD 21702-5011, USA.
Abstract:
Ricin toxin, an extremely potent and heat-stable toxin produced from the bean of the ubiquitous Ricinus communis (castor bean plant), has been categorized by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as a category B biothreat agent that is moderately easy to disseminate. Ricin has the potential to be used as an agent of biological warfare and bioterrorism. Therefore, there is a critical need for continued development of ricin countermeasures. A safe and effective prophylactic vaccine against ricin that was FDA approved for "at risk" individuals would be an important first step in assuring the availability of medical countermeasures against ricin.
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