HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Olsnes, S. Articles by Meren, R. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Olsnes, S. Articles by Meren, R.

Lectins from Abrus Precatorius and Ricinus Communis

II. Hybrid Toxins and Their Interaction with Chain-Specific Antibodies¹

From Norsk Hydros Institutt for Kreftforskning, Montebello, Oslo, Norway, and the Biological Laboratories, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts

Abstract

When equimolar amounts of purified homologous A- and B-chains from abrin or ricin are mixed and dialyzed to remove 2-mercaptoethanol, the disulfide bridge between the chains reforms and fully toxic molecules are reconstituted. In a similar manner, when heterologous chains are mixed and dialyzed, the toxic hybrid molecules abrin A/ricin B or ricin A/abrin B are formed in good yield. Stable hybrid molecules were not formed between the two A-chains or the two B-chains.

Whereas rabbit anti-abrin and anti-ricin sera each neutralizes only its homologous toxin, neither antitoxin can distinguish between the hybrid toxins. On the other hand, antibodies specifically directed against determinants on A- or B-chains readily distinguish between the two hybrids. Neutralization by antisera of the toxic effects of abrin, ricin, and their hybrids on protein synthesis in HeLa cell cultures has been studied quantitatively.

The results are discussed in relation to other interspecies hybrid molecules and in relation to the mode of action of certain glycoprotein tropic hormones.

Footnotes

¹ This work was aided in part by National Science Foundation Grant GB35579 to A. M. Pappenheimer, Jr., and supported by an EMBO Short Time Fellowship to S. O. enabling him to visit Harvard University.

² Norsk Hydros Institutt for Kreftforskning, Montebello, Oslo, Norway.

³ The Biological Laboratories, Harvard University Cambridge, Massachusetts.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				K. Surendranath and A. A. Karande A Neutralizing Antibody to the A Chain of Abrin Inhibits Abrin Toxicity both In Vitro and In Vivo Clin. Vaccine Immunol., May 1, 2008; 15(5): 737 - 743. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. M. Yoder, R. U. Aslam, and N. J. Mantis Evidence for Widespread Epithelial Damage and Coincident Production of Monocyte Chemotactic Protein 1 in a Murine Model of Intestinal Ricin Intoxication Infect. Immun., April 1, 2007; 75(4): 1745 - 1750. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				N. J. Mantis, C. R. McGuinness, O. Sonuyi, G. Edwards, and S. A. Farrant Immunoglobulin A Antibodies against Ricin A and B Subunits Protect Epithelial Cells from Ricin Intoxication. Infect. Immun., June 1, 2006; 74(6): 3455 - 3462. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				C. R. McGuinness and N. J. Mantis Characterization of a Novel High-Affinity Monoclonal Immunoglobulin G Antibody against the Ricin B Subunit. Infect. Immun., June 1, 2006; 74(6): 3463 - 3470. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. Maddaloni, C. Cooke, R. Wilkinson, A. V. Stout, L. Eng, and S. H. Pincus Immunological Characteristics Associated with the Protective Efficacy of Antibodies to Ricin J. Immunol., May 15, 2004; 172(10): 6221 - 6228. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]