Recent Advances in Ribosome-Inactivating Proteins and Related Lectins: Analytical Methods, Toxicology and Therapeutical Potential

Dear Colleagues,

Ribosome-inactivating proteins (RIPs) cause the inactivation of ribosomes by linking adenine 4324 to the ribosome–phosphate backbone of the 28 rRNA of the large ribosome subunit, leading to hydrolysis of the N-glycosidic bond and the subsequent arrest of protein synthesis. Other enzymatic activities of RIPs such as polynucleotide adenosine glycosidase on nucleic acids have also been described. Most RIPs are of plant origin, where a protective role against predators and pathogens has been proposed, a progressive decrease in RIPs occurring in the fruits along ripening and in the leaves as these become senescent. Some other RIPs have been extracted from bacteria, fungi and algae.

Some two-chain (type 2) RIPs display high toxicity, such as ricin, and due to the wide use of plants as food and in folk medicine, the presence of these proteins should be a cause of concern. Nonetheless, its toxicity, together with the lectin activity and the possibility of preparing conjugates and immunotoxins could serve as drugs in targeted therapy, especially with less toxic native RIPs.

Despite a number of excellent and significant reviews being published in recent years, the latest research on RIPs has prompted us to propose a Special Issue covering the diverse aspects of these proteins, the actual biological roles of which are still unknown. This Special Issue will address the topics of new proteins and recombinant forms, their structure, intracellular traffic and toxicity. The coverage will also include the effects of RIPs as poison and their concomitant use as bioweapons, as contaminants of food, their clinical incidence, analytical procedures for their detection and their application for the preparation of conjugates and immunotoxins useful for targeted therapy, also considering their limitations.

Hence, this Special Issue of Toxins is open for the submission of both descriptive and experimental articles on this topic, to highlight the importance of this increasingly impactful subject. We encourage researchers to participate by submitting articles dealing with the field.

Sincerely,

Prof. Dr. Manuel Garrosa
Prof. Dr. Maria Angeles Rojo
Prof. Dr. Damian Cordoba-Diaz
Guest Editors

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• ribosome-inactivating proteins (RIPs)
• lectins
• recombinant proteins
• ricin
• shiga toxin
• conjugates
• toxicology
• targeted therapy
• bioweapons
• vectorization