title: Ribosome-inactivating proteins: from toxins to useful proteins.
abstract: Ribosome-inactivating proteins (RIPs) either single-chain (type 1) or two-chain (type 2) are frequent in plants, often in multiple forms. They are RNA N-glycosidases, have antiviral, antifungal and insecticidal activity. Their expression in plants is increased under stressful conditions. They are investigated for practical applications in medicine and in agriculture. In medicine, RIPs have been linked to, or fused with, appropriate antibodies or other carriers to form "immunotoxins" or other conjugates specifically toxic to the cells target of the carrier, with the aim of eliminating malignant or other undesired cells. In agriculture, it has been observed that an enhanced expression of RIPs confers to plants an increased resistance to viruses, fungi, insects, and also to drought and salinity.
authors: Alma Mater Studiorum Università di Bologna, Via S. Petronio Vecchio 19, I-40125 Bologna, Italy. fiorenzostirpe@libero.it
authors: Fiorenzo
authors: F
authors: Stirpe
mesh_terms: D020418:Algal Proteins / Q000627:therapeutic use / Q000633:toxicity; D000818:Animals; D000935:Antifungal Agents; D000998:Antiviral Agents; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000627:therapeutic use / Q000633:toxicity; D005656:Fungal Proteins / Q000627:therapeutic use / Q000633:toxicity; D006801:Humans; D000922:Immunotoxins / Q000627:therapeutic use / Q000633:toxicity; D007306:Insecticides; D010572:Pest Control, Biological; D010940:Plant Proteins / Q000627:therapeutic use / Q000633:toxicity; D054788:Ribosome Inactivating Proteins / Q000627:therapeutic use* / Q000633:toxicity*
chemical_list: D020418:Algal Proteins; D000935:Antifungal Agents; D000998:Antiviral Agents; D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D005656:Fungal Proteins; D000922:Immunotoxins; D007306:Insecticides; D010940:Plant Proteins; D054788:Ribosome Inactivating Proteins