title: A guide to taming a toxin--recombinant immunotoxins constructed from Pseudomonas exotoxin A for the treatment of cancer.
abstract: Pseudomonas exotoxin A (PE) is a highly toxic protein secreted by the opportunistic pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The modular structure and corresponding mechanism of action of PE make it amenable to extensive modifications that can redirect its potent cytotoxicity from disease to a therapeutic function. In combination with a variety of artificial targeting elements, such as receptor ligands and antibody fragments, PE becomes a selective agent for the elimination of specific cell populations. This review summarizes our current understanding of PE, its intoxication pathway, and the ongoing efforts to convert this toxin into a treatment for cancer.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892-4264, USA.
authors.forename: John E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Weldon
authors.forename: Ira
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Pastan
mesh_terms: D036002:ADP Ribose Transferases / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000276:immunology* / Q000494:pharmacology; D001427:Bacterial Toxins / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000276:immunology* / Q000494:pharmacology; D005098:Exotoxins / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000276:immunology* / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D000922:Immunotoxins / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000276:immunology* / Q000494:pharmacology; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy*; D011487:Protein Conformation; D011550:Pseudomonas aeruginosa / Q000378:metabolism / Q000472:pathogenicity; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology; D037521:Virulence Factors / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000276:immunology* / Q000494:pharmacology; D000097668:Pseudomonas aeruginosa Exotoxin A
chemical_list: D036002:ADP Ribose Transferases; D001427:Bacterial Toxins; D005098:Exotoxins; D000922:Immunotoxins; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins; D037521:Virulence Factors; D000097668:Pseudomonas aeruginosa Exotoxin A