RNA N-glycosidase activity of ricin A-chain. Mechanism of action of the toxic lectin ricin on eukaryotic ribosomes.

Y Endo, K Tsurugi - Journal of Biological Chemistry, 1987 - ASBMB
The modification reaction of 28 S rRNA in eukaryotic ribosomes by ricin A-chain was
characterized. To examine whether ricin A-chain release any bases from 28 S rRNA, rat liver
ribosomes were incubated with a catalytic amount of the toxin, and a fraction containing free
bases and nucleosides was prepared from the postribosomal fraction of the reaction mixture
by means of ion-exchange column chromatography. Thin-layer chromatographic analysis of
this fraction revealed a release of 1 mol of adenine from 1 mol of ribosome. When the …