title: Interaction of the plant toxin ricin with different life cycle stages of Schistosoma mansoni.
abstract: The binding of the plant toxin ricin to various life cycle stages of Schistosoma mansoni has been studied. Fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-ricin exhibited binding to schistosomula and adult worms, but not to cercariae or to freshly transformed schistosomula. Binding was specifically inhibited by the presence of galactose in the medium. Analysis of protein synthesis in treated parasites illustrated that ricin failed to intoxicate schistosomula or adult worms. Indeed, fluorescence quenching studies suggested that the fluorescent toxin was confined to the outer bilayer and was not internalised.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D014176:Protein Biosynthesis; D011975:Receptors, Mitogen / Q000378:metabolism; D012276:Ricin / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology; D012550:Schistosoma mansoni / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D011975:Receptors, Mitogen; C032650:Ricinus communis lectin receptor; D012276:Ricin