Killer gene/protein?

[Joseph Michael Bay]

Markus Piotrowski <Markus.Piotrowski at ruhr-uni-bochum.de> writes:

>Dear netters,

>does exist a protein which kills eucaryotic cells (e.g plant
>cells) in a DIRECT manner (and not by inducing programmed
>cell death)? Any hint would be very helpfull. 


Check out:

FASEB J 1994 Feb;8(2):201-208 
Ricin: structure, mode of action, and some current applications.
Lord JM, Roberts LM, Robertus JD


Basically, the A chain of ricin renders active ribosomes incapable
of synthesizing proteins (via enzymatic cleavage, I think).
It's very, very, very toxic.  One molecule can kill a cell.  Don't
get any on ya.

-- 
Joe Bay                        Leland Stanford Junior University
"Bother,"  said Pooh,  as he looked upon the visage of  Cthulhu.
Putting  the  "harm"  in  "Molecular  Pharmacology"  since  1998
Fairness   and   Accuracy   In   Reporting- http://www.fair.org/