UNSPECIFIED (2000) Ribosome-mediated folding of partially unfolded ricin A-chain. JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY, 275 (13). pp. 9263-9269. ISSN 0021-9258

Full text not available from this repository.

Abstract

After endocytic uptake by mammalian cells, the cytotoxic protein ricin is transported to the endoplasmic reticulum, whereupon the A-chain must cross the lumenal membrane to reach its ribosomal substrates. It is assumed that membrane traversal is preceded by unfolding of ricin A-chain, followed by refolding in the cytosol to generate the native, biologically active toxin. Here we describe biochemical and biophysical analyses of the unfolding of ricin A-chain and its refolding in vitro. We show that native ricin A-chain is surprisingly unstable at pH 7.0, unfolding non-cooperatively above 37 degrees C to generate a partially unfolded state, This species has conformational properties typical of a molten globule, and cannot be refolded to the native state by manip ulation of the buffer conditions or by the addition of a stem-loop dodecaribonucleotide or deproteinized Escherichia coli ribosomal RNA, both of which are substrates for ricin A-chain. By contrast, in the presence of salt-washed ribosomes, partially unfolded ricin A-chain regains full catalytic activity. The data suggest that the conformational stability of ricin A-chain is ideally poised for translocation from the endoplasmic reticulum, Within the cytosol, ricin A-chain molecules may then refold in the presence of ribosomes, resulting in ribosome depurination and cell death.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Subjects:	Q Science > QD Chemistry
Journal or Publication Title:	JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY
Publisher:	AMER SOC BIOCHEMISTRY MOLECULAR BIOLOGY INC
ISSN:	0021-9258
Date:	31 March 2000
Volume:	275
Number:	13
Number of Pages:	7
Page Range:	pp. 9263-9269
Publication Status:	Published
URI:	http://wrap.warwick.ac.uk/id/eprint/13511

Data sourced from Thomson Reuters' Web of Knowledge

Request changes to a record

Actions (login required)

View Item