This important reference provides up-to-date information on all aspects of ribosome-inactivating proteins (RIPs). Including a list of all known RIPs, their distribution in nature, structure, genetics and chemical and immunological properties, Ribosome-Inactivating Proteins covers mechanisms of action, including the enzymatic activity on various polynucleotide substrates; the interaction with, and entry into cells; the toxicity to animals, including the pathology of poisoning; and the immunomodulatory and allergenic activity. Ribosome-Inactivating Proteins further emphasizes the use of immunotoxins and other conjugates in clinical trials for the therapy of cancer and intractable pain.
Contributors vii
Preface xi
1 Introduction and History 1 Fiorenzo Stirpe
2 Occurrence and Taxonomical Distribution of Ribosome-inactivating Proteins Belonging to the Ricin/Shiga Toxin Superfamily 11 Chenjing Shang, Willy J. Peumans, and Els J. M. Van Damme
3 Ribosome-inactivating Proteins from Phytolaccaceae 28 Augusto Parente, Angela Chambery, Antimo Di Maro, Rosita Russo, and Valeria Severino
4 Ribosome-inactivating Proteins in Caryophyllaceae, Cucurbitaceae, and Euphorbiaceae 44 Tzi Bun Ng and Jack Ho Wong
5 Non-toxic Type 2 Ribosome-inactivating Proteins 67 Pilar Jimenez, Manuel Jose Gayoso, and Tomas Girbes
6 The Intracellular Journey of Type 2 Ribosome-inactivating Proteins 83 Robert A. Spooner and J. Michael Lord
7 Shiga Toxins: The Ribosome-inactivating Proteins from Pathogenic Bacteria 97 Maurizio Brigotti
8 The Structure and Action of Ribosome-inactivating Proteins 111 Jon D. Robertus and Arthur F. Monzingo
9 Updated Model of the Molecular Evolution of RIP Genes 134 Willy J Peumans, Chenjing Shang, and Els J. M. Van Damme
10 Enzymology of the Ribosome-inactivating Proteins 151 Yaeta Endo
11 A Long Journey to the Cytosol: What do We Know about Entry of Type 1 RIPs Inside a Mammalian Cell? 161 Rodolfo Ippoliti and Maria Serena Fabbrini
12 Ribosome-inactivating Proteins: Pathology from Cells to Organs 178 Gareth D. Griffiths
13 Antiviral and Antifungal Properties of RIPs 198 Gabriela Krivdova, Kira C. M. Neller, Bijal A. Parikh, and Katalin A. Hudak
14 Insecticidal and Antifungal Activities of Ribosome-inactivating Proteins 212 Lucia Rosane Bertholdo Vargas and Celia Regina Carlini
15 Immunology of RIPs and their Immunotoxins 223 Giulio Fracasso and Marco Colombatti
16 Ribosome-inactivating Proteins in Cancer Treatment 244 Douglas A. Lappi and Fiorenzo Stirpe
17 Nervous System Research with RIP Conjugates: From Determination of Function to Therapy 253 Douglas A. Lappi, Jack Feldman, Dale Sengelaub, and Jill McGaughy
18 Embryotoxic and Abortifacient Activities of Ribosome-inactivating Proteins 270 Wood Yee Chan, Jack Ho Wong, and Tzi Bun Ng
19 The Potential for Misuse of Ribosome-inactivating Proteins 281 Gareth D. Griffiths
Index 287
Color plates appear between pages 116 and 117
Fiorenzo Stirpe is Professor Emeritus at the Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, University of Bologna, Italy. Douglas A. Lappi is the President and Chief Scientific Officer of Advanced Targeting Systems, USA.