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Detection of Toxin Translocation into the Host Cytosol by Surface Plasmon Resonance
Published on: January 3, 2012
Ribosome-inactivating proteins: from toxins to useful proteins
1Alma Mater Studiorum Università di Bologna, Via S. Petronio Vecchio 19, I-40125 Bologna, Italy. fiorenzostirpe@libero.it
Abstract:
Ribosome-inactivating proteins (RIPs) either single-chain (type 1) or two-chain (type 2) are frequent in plants, often in multiple forms. They are RNA N-glycosidases, have antiviral, antifungal and insecticidal activity. Their expression in plants is increased under stressful conditions. They are investigated for practical applications in medicine and in agriculture. In medicine, RIPs have been linked to, or fused with, appropriate antibodies or other carriers to form "immunotoxins" or other conjugates specifically toxic to the cells target of the carrier, with the aim of eliminating malignant or other undesired cells. In agriculture, it has been observed that an enhanced expression of RIPs confers to plants an increased resistance to viruses, fungi, insects, and also to drought and salinity.
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