Ribosome-Inactivating Proteins: From Plant Toxins to Drug Applications

Dear Colleagues,

Ribosome-inactivating proteins are proteins that act on the cellular translation mechanism of cells. They have been classified according to their structure or their mechanism for carrying out their activity when they come into contact with a cell. Their applicability in the biomedical field is related to the selectivity of the target cell. Among the obstacles for the use of RIPs in the treatment of cancer or diseases where viruses are the protagonists are their short half-life in the cytoplasm, non-selective cytotoxicity and antigenicity. Therefore, strategies have been developed to improve the pharmacological properties of RIPs. These strategies include the combination of these proteins with antibodies, increasing their plasma life with polyethylene glycol, creating peptide or protein subunit nanoparticles with antibodies or forming a part of drugs using nanotechnologies.

This Special Issue aims to highlight the use of RIPs in the biomedical field, to describe their physiological and pathological characteristics and effects, as well as their applicability in nutrition and medicine.

Prof. Dr. Maria Angeles Rojo
Guest Editor

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• plant toxins
• ribosome-inactivating proteins (RIPs)
• targeted therapy
• ricin
• lectins