Ricin Toxin

Ricin is a highly toxic molecule that is refined from Castor Beans. It consists of two separate parts. Part A destroys the ribosomes that convert RNA messages into Proteins. In this way a single molecule of Part A can kill an entire cell. Part B allows the entry of Part A into the cell by binding to carbohydrates of the surface of the cell.

Original Source data:
Crystallographic refinement of ricin to 2.5 A.

Rutenber, E., Katzin, B.J., Ernst, S., Collins, E.J., Mlsna, D., Ready, M.P., Robertus, J.D.

Journal: (1991) Proteins 10: 240-250

PubMed: 1881880

DOI: 10.1002/prot.340100308

Search Related Articles in PubMed

PubMed Abstract:
The plant cytotoxin ricin consists of two disulfide-linked chains, each of about 30,000 daltons. An initial model based on a 2.8 A MIR electron density map has been refined against 2.5 A data using rounds of hand rebuilding coupled with... [ Read More & Search PubMed Abstracts ]