Inhibition of protein synthesis by a toxic lectin from Viscum album L. (mistletoe).
1. The haemagglutinating and toxic lectin from Viscum album L. (mistletoe) inhibits protein synthesis in a lysate of rabbit reticulocytes, with an ID50 (concentration giving 50% inhibition) of 2.6 microgram/ml. This effect is enhanced (ID50 0.21 microgram/ml) if the lectin is reduced with 2-mercaptoethanol. 2. The lectin inhibits protein synthesis also in BL8L cells in culture. Inhibition occurs after a lag time of 3 h. The ID50 is 7 ng/ml, and increases after reduction of the lectin. 3. This and the gross lesions observed in rats poisoned with V. album lectin indicate this is a toxin very similar to ricin.
D000818:Animals; D002474:Cell-Free System / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D037102:Lectins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014784:Mistletoe / Q000032:analysis*; D037121:Plant Lectins; D010946:Plants, Medicinal; D014176:Protein Biosynthesis; D011817:Rabbits; D012156:Reticulocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D014118:Toxins, Biological / Q000494:pharmacology*
D037102:Lectins; D037121:Plant Lectins; D014118:Toxins, Biological