Recent advances in trichosanthin, a ribosome-inactivating protein with multiple pharmacological properties.
Trichosanthin (TCS), a ribosome-inactivating protein extracted from the root tuber of Chinese medicinal herb Trichosanthes kirilowii Maximowicz, has multiple pharmacological properties including abortifacient, anti-tumor and anti-HIV. It is traditionally used to induce abortion but its antigenicity and short plasma half-life have limited the repeated clinical administration. In this review, work to locating antigenic sites and prolonging plasma half-life are discussed. Studies on structure-function relationship and mechanism of cell entry are also covered. Recently, TCS has been found to induce apoptosis, enhance the action of chemokines and inhibit HIV-1 integrase. These findings give new insights on the pharmacological properties of TCS and other members of ribosome-inactivating proteins.
Shaw
Pang-Chui
PC
Department of Biochemistry, Centre for Protein Science and Crystallography, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong, China. pcshaw@cuhk.edu.hk
Lee
Ka-Ming
KM
Wong
Kam-Bo
KB
D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000378:metabolism*; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000378:metabolism*; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D001665:Binding Sites; D001692:Biological Transport / Q000502:physiology; D003911:Dextrans / Q000378:metabolism; D000939:Epitopes / Q000235:genetics; D006207:Half-Life; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000378:metabolism; D012339:RNA, Ribosomal, 28S / Q000378:metabolism; D013329:Structure-Activity Relationship; D015978:Trichosanthin / Q000097:blood / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*
D019380:Anti-HIV Agents; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D003911:Dextrans; D000939:Epitopes; D012339:RNA, Ribosomal, 28S; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D015978:Trichosanthin