Ricin

Dorsey, Russell; Emmett, George; Salem, Harry

doi:10.1016/b978-0-12-800159-2.00027-0

Cited by 5 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 71 publications

(81 reference statements)

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“…What is less well described is the ability of RTB to transport cargo across the BBB and other protective barriers that define the "hard-to-treat" organs, tissues, and cells. Initial support of RTB's ability to access these tissues is evidence of ricin penetration in brain and myocardium [48,51].…”

Section: Lectin-mediated Delivery: Rtb As a Protein Carriermentioning

confidence: 99%

Targeting Macromolecules to CNS and Other Hard-to-Treat Organs Using Lectin-Mediated Delivery

Acosta

Cramer

2020

IJMS

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The greatest challenges for therapeutic efficacy of many macromolecular drugs that act on intracellular are delivery to key organs and tissues and delivery into cells and subcellular compartments. Transport of drugs into critical cells associated with disease, including those in organs protected by restrictive biological barriers such as central nervous system (CNS), bone, and eye remains a significant hurdle to drug efficacy and impacts commercial risk and incentives for drug development for many diseases. These limitations expose a significant need for the development of novel strategies for macromolecule delivery. RTB lectin is the non-toxic carbohydrate-binding subunit B of ricin toxin with high affinity for galactose/galactosamine-containing glycolipids and glycoproteins common on human cell surfaces. RTB mediates endocytic uptake into mammalian cells by multiple routes exploiting both adsorptive-mediated and receptor-mediated mechanisms. In vivo biodistribution studies in lysosomal storage disease models provide evidence for the theory that the RTB-lectin transports corrective doses of enzymes across the blood–brain barrier to treat CNS pathologies. These results encompass significant implications for protein-based therapeutic approaches to address lysosomal and other diseases having strong CNS involvement.

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Section: Lectin-mediated Delivery: Rtb As a Protein Carriermentioning

confidence: 99%

Targeting Macromolecules to CNS and Other Hard-to-Treat Organs Using Lectin-Mediated Delivery

Acosta

Cramer

2020

IJMS

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“…Subsequent work demonstrated that the agglutinating activity of impure ricin was due to close, nontoxic agglutinins present in the same seeds . Nowadays, the accepted mechanism for the toxicity of ricin against eukaryotic cells (Figure ) begins with the reversible binding of its B-chain to the surface of the cell membrane. As stated above, RTB is a galactose/ N -acetylgalactosamine-binding lectine that recognizes glycopeptides and glycoproteins having β(1 → 4)-linked galactose residues .…”

Section: Ricinmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ricin and Saxitoxin: Two Natural Products That Became Chemical Weapons

Sierra

Martínez‐Álvarez

2020

J. Chem. Educ.

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Ricin and saxitoxin are highly toxic natural products that have been weaponized and are included in Schedule 1 of the Chemical Weapons Convention. Both toxins are available from natural sources, and they can be used as homemade chemical weapons for terrorist purposes. The availability of ricin is high because the shrub Ricinus communis is widespread worldwide, and access to Ricinus seeds (castor beans are the source of ricin) is easy; its use for illegal purposes has happened several times. Contrary to ricin, saxitoxin is difficult to isolate from natural sources, or to obtain by chemical synthesis, which makes the use of saxitoxin in terrorist actions unlikely. Additionally, the mechanisms of action of both toxins are totally different. Ricin targets the ribosome while saxitoxin targets the Na-channels in the cell membrane. In both cases cell death occurs very efficiently. The potency of both chemicals makes ricin and saxitoxin excellent leads for the development of new drugs for rightful applications, including, among others, treatment of cancer or anesthesia.

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“…Certain amounts of this ammunition were stored in the Pine Bluff Arsenal. A special laboratory of NKVD (KGB) in the Soviet Union also dealt with the development of similar products—for example, a weapon in the shape of an umbrella shooting miniature projectiles with ricin [28].…”

Section: Historical Notesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Military Importance of Natural Toxins and Their Analogs

Pitschmann

Hon

2016

Molecules

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Toxin weapon research, development, production and the ban on its uses is an integral part of international law, with particular attention paid to the protection against these weapons. In spite of this, hazards associated with toxins cannot be completely excluded. Some of these hazards are also pointed out in the present review. The article deals with the characteristics and properties of natural toxins and synthetic analogs potentially constituting the basis of toxin weapons. It briefly describes the history of military research and the use of toxins from distant history up to the present age. With respect to effective disarmament conventions, it mentions certain contemporary concepts of possible toxin applications for military purposes and the protection of public order (suppression of riots); it also briefly refers to the question of terrorism. In addition, it deals with certain traditional as well as modern technologies of the research, synthesis, and use of toxins, which can affect the continuing development of toxin weapons. These are, for example, cases of new toxins from natural sources, their chemical synthesis, production of synthetic analogs, the possibility of using methods of genetic engineering and modern biotechnologies or the possible applications of nanotechnology and certain pharmaceutical methods for the effective transfer of toxins into the organism. The authors evaluate the military importance of toxins based on their comparison with traditional chemical warfare agents. They appeal to the ethics of the scientific work as a principal condition for the prevention of toxin abuse in wars, military conflicts, as well as in non-military attacks.

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Ricin

Cited by 5 publications

References 71 publications

Targeting Macromolecules to CNS and Other Hard-to-Treat Organs Using Lectin-Mediated Delivery

Targeting Macromolecules to CNS and Other Hard-to-Treat Organs Using Lectin-Mediated Delivery

Ricin and Saxitoxin: Two Natural Products That Became Chemical Weapons

Military Importance of Natural Toxins and Their Analogs

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