Ribosome-inactivating Proteins

This important reference provides up-to-date information on all aspects of ribosome-inactivating proteins (RIPs). Including a list of all known RIPs, their distribution in nature, structure, genetics and chemical and immunological properties, this reference covers mechanisms of action, including the enzymatic activity on various polynucleotide substrates; the interaction with, and entry into cells; the toxicity to animals, including the pathology of poisoning; and the immunomodulatory and allergenic activity. The book further emphasizes the use of immunotoxins and other conjugates in clinical trials for the therapy of cancer and intractable pain.

Autorentext

Fiorenzo Stirpe is Professor Emeritus at the Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, University of Bologna, Italy.

Douglas A. Lappi is the President and Chief Scientific Officer of Advanced Targeting Systems, USA.

Klappentext

Ribosome-inactivating proteins (RIPs) do as their name suggests: they inactivate the ribosomes crucial to protein synthesis at the cellular level, ultimately killing cells. While some are extremely toxic, ricin being the consummate example, most RIPs are not and have been found useful in a number of medical and research applications such as in cancer and neurological research.

Ribosome-Inactivating Proteins: Ricin and Related Proteins provides up-to-date information on all aspects of this broad-ranging family of proteins. The text includes comprehensive coverage of RIPs, providing detail on their distribution in nature, chemical structure, genetics, and chemical and immunological properties. The book also describes mechanistic aspects, including the enzymatic activity on various polynucleotide substrates; the interaction with and entry into cells; the toxicity to animals, pathology of poisoning; and the immunomodulatory and allergenic activity.

Ribosome-Inactivating Proteins: Ricin and Related Proteins covers biological activities with potential applications in research in biology, medicine, and applied sciences; antiviral and insecticidal properties; and the conjugates of RIPs as immunotoxins and with other carriers capable of directing them toward specific target cells. Emphasis is given to the use of immunotoxins and other conjugates in clinical trials for the therapy of cancer and intractable pain. Finally, the possible uses of toxic RIPs for criminal uses and as biological weapons for warfare and terrorist attacks are summarized.

• Covers the use of RIPs in human therapies, such as targeted tumor treatment and pain management.
• Chapters on RIP activities as they relate to applications in research, agriculture, and medicine.
• Includes chapters on RIP antiviral properties, insecticidal properties, and use in neuroscience research.
• Describes the unique characteristics of RIPs in various plant families.
• Concluding section with a timely discussion of RIPs as bioweapons.

Inhalt

Contributors vii

Preface xi

1 Introduction and History 1

Fiorenzo Stirpe

2 Occurrence and Taxonomical Distribution of
Ribosome-inactivating Proteins Belonging to the Ricin/Shiga Toxin
Superfamily 11

Chenjing Shang, Willy J. Peumans, and Els J. M. Van
Damme

3 Ribosome-inactivating Proteins from Phytolaccaceae 28

Augusto Parente, Angela Chambery, Antimo Di Maro, Rosita Russo,
and Valeria Severino

4 Ribosome-inactivating Proteins in Caryophyllaceae,
Cucurbitaceae, and Euphorbiaceae 44

Tzi Bun Ng and Jack Ho Wong

5 Non-toxic Type 2 Ribosome-inactivating Proteins 67

Pilar Jiménez, Manuel José Gayoso, and Tomás
Girbés

6 The Intracellular Journey of Type 2 Ribosome-inactivating
Proteins 83

Robert A. Spooner and J. Michael Lord

7 Shiga Toxins: The Ribosome-inactivating Proteins from
Pathogenic Bacteria 97

Maurizio Brigotti

8 The Structure and Action of Ribosome-inactivating Proteins
111

Jon D. Robertus and Arthur F. Monzingo

9 Updated Model of the Molecular Evolution of RIP Genes
134

Willy J Peumans, Chenjing Shang, and Els J. M. Van Damme

10 Enzymology of the Ribosome-inactivating Proteins 151

Yaeta Endo

11 A Long Journey to the Cytosol: What do We Know about Entry of
Type 1 RIPs Inside a Mammalian Cell? 161

Rodolfo Ippoliti and Maria Serena Fabbrini

12 Ribosome-inactivating Proteins: Pathology from Cells to
Organs 178

Gareth D. Griffiths

13 Antiviral and Antifungal Properties of RIPs 198

Gabriela Krivdova, Kira C. M. Neller, Bijal A. Parikh, and
Katalin A. Hudak

14 Insecticidal and Antifungal Activities of
Ribosome-inactivating Proteins 212

Lúcia Rosane Bertholdo Vargas and Célia Regina
Carlini

15 Immunology of RIPs and their Immunotoxins 223

Giulio Fracasso and Marco Colombatti

16 Ribosome-inactivating Proteins in Cancer Treatment 244

Douglas A. Lappi and Fiorenzo Stirpe

17 Nervous System Research with RIP Conjugates: From
Determination of Function to Therapy 253

Douglas A. Lappi, Jack Feldman, Dale Sengelaub, and Jill
McGaughy

18 Embryotoxic and Abortifacient Activities of
Ribosome-inactivating Proteins 270

Wood Yee Chan, Jack Ho Wong, and Tzi Bun Ng

19 The Potential for Misuse of Ribosome-inactivating Proteins
281

Gareth D. Griffiths

Index 287

Color plates appear between pages 116 and 117