Demonstration of cell-ricin interaction by electrophoretic light scattering

Electrophoretic light scattering has been used to investigate the interaction of ricin, a vegetal toxin, with cells. This technique allowed measurements in the presence of free ligand and proved particularly useful for the study of a system with low affinity. The electrophoretic mobility of erythrocytes and oligodendrocytes was found equal to 2.08 x 10(-8) and 2.35 x 10(-8)m2s-1V-1, respectively. Upon ricin binding, these values decreased significantly. This change was related to the saturation of the binding sites. The specificity of the interaction was demonstrated by conducting the experiments in the presence of lactose. This specific inhibitor fully prevented the ricin-cell interaction.

Influence of carbohydrates on the cytotoxicity of an aqueous mistletoe drug and of purified mistletoe lectins tested on human T-leukemia cells

Partially and highly purified lectins from Viscum album L. (mistletoe) cause a dose-dependent decrease of viability of human leukemia cell cultures, MOLT-4, after 72 h treatment. The LC50 of the partially purified lectin was 27.8 ng/ml, of the highly purified lectin 1.3 ng/ml. Compared to the highly purified lectin a 140-fold higher protein concentration of an aqueous mistletoe drug was required to obtain similar cytotoxic effects on MOLT-4 cells. Cytotoxicity of the highly purified lectin was preferentially inhibited by D-galactose and lactose, cytotoxicity of the mistletoe drug and the partially purified lectin were preferentially inhibited by lactose and N-acetyl-D-galactosamine (GalNAc). Two lectin fractions with almost the same cytotoxic activity on MOLT-4 cells but with different carbohydrate affinities were isolated by affinity chromatography from the mistletoe drug: mistletoe lectin I with an affinity to D-galactose and GalNAc and mistletoe lectin II with an affinity to GalNAc. The lectin fractions and the mistletoe drug inhibited protein synthesis of MOLT-4 cells stronger than DNA synthesis. Furthermore a subpopulation of MOLT-4, resistant to cytotoxic doses of both the mistletoe drug and the mistletoe lectins, was shown to exhibit a reduced amount of GalNAc and N-acetyl-D-glucosamine in their cellular glycoproteins which are probably responsible for the binding of the cytotoxic lectins. These results indicate that lectins are the main toxins in the mistletoe drug.

Binding of saccharides to ricin E isolated from small castor beans

The binding of saccharides to ricin E isolated from small castor beans was studied by equilibrium dialysis and spectroscopy. Equilibrium dialysis data indicate that ricin E has two galactose-binding sites, a high affinity site (HA-site) and a low affinity site (LA-site). The binding of specific saccharides to ricin E induces a shift of the fluorescence spectrum to shorter wavelength by 3 nm and UV-difference spectra with a maximum at 290 nm and a negative intensity around 300 nm. The interaction of ricin E with its specific saccharides was analyzed in terms of the variation of the intensity at 320 nm in the fluorescence spectrum and the magnitude of the negative intensity at 300 nm in the UV-difference spectra as functions of saccharide concentration. The results indicate that these spectroscopic changes are representative of the binding of saccharides to the LA-site, which contains a tryptophan residue. By comparing the association constants of saccharides for ricin E with those for ricin D, isolated from the large castor beans, it was found that the HA of ricin E binds saccharides with an affinity of less than one-half that of ricin D, while the saccharide-binding abilities of the LA-site of the two ricins were about the same.

In situ visualization of glycosphingolipids on thin-layer chromatograms using lectin-peroxidase conjugates

A technique is described for direct detection by lectins conjugated to horseradish peroxidase of the oligosaccharides of glycosphingolipids on thin-layer chromatograms. Final visualization is accomplished using a substrate medium consisting of hydrogen peroxide and 3,3'-diaminobenzidine. The procedure is rapid, specific, sensitive and highly reproducible, and staining patterns are stable for years. In addition to providing preliminary structural information, this technique can be employed in combination with other methods, such as autoradiographic detection of tritium-labeled glycosphingolipids in the same chromatogram.

Structure and stability of Ricinus communis haemagglutinin

The molecular properties of the haemagglutinin of Ricinus communis (RCA I or RCA 120) were evaluated by analytical ultracentrifugation, light-scattering, c.d. and fluorescence. The native molecule had a fairly expanded structure (f/f0 = 1.43) and dissociated into two subunits of equal size in 6 M-guanidinium chloride. This native structure was stable in alkali (up to pH 11) and resistant to thermal denaturation at neutrality. A pH-triggered change in the haemagglutinin conformation was observed and characterized by analytical ultracentrifugation, c.d. and fluorescence between pH 7 and 4.5, the range in which its affinity for galactosides decreased [Yamasaki, Absar & Funatsu (1985) Biochim, Biophys. Acta 828, 155-161]. These results are discussed in relation to those reported in the literature for other lectins and more especially ricin, for which a pH-dependent conformation transition has been observed in the same range of low pH.

Studies on the antitumor lectins isolated from the seeds of Ricinus communis (castor bean)

Three toxic proteins and one agglutinin were purified from the seeds of Ricinus communis by a simple and fast method using Sepharose 4-B affinity chromatography followed by Sephadex G-100 gel filtration. The weakly adsorbed ricins A and B were retarded and eluted with the buffer from the affinity chromatographic column, while ricin C and ricinus agglutinin had to be eluted with 0.1 M galactose. The molecular weights of ricins A, B, and C were about 62,000 and that of ricinus agglutinin was 120,000, estimated by amino acid compositions and SDS gel electrophoresis. They all possessed two non-identical subunits: A and B chains linked by one disulfide bond. Their LD50 values were 4, 28, 14 and 112 micrograms per kg body weight of mice for ricins A, B and C and ricinus agglutinin, respectively. The amino acid compositions of the three toxins and their A and B subunits were very similar, but not identical, while ricinus agglutinin showed a different composition. Ricin A is a newly isolated lectin which has a strong inhibitory effect on the growth of tumor cells. By using cell cultures, it was demonstrated that the tumor cells were more sensitive to lectin than non-transformed cells, and that this could be caused by the higher binding affinity of lectin to tumor cells than to non-transformed cells.

Studies on components of immunotoxins: purification of ricin and its subunits and influence of unreacted antibodies

Two ricins were purified from the seeds of Ricinus communis by a simple method based on affinity chromatography allowing large-scale preparations. Separation of these 2 ricins was achieved by ion-exchange chromatography and studies of purified subunits demonstrated that the 2 forms of ricin differed only in their B-chains which showed widely differing isoelectric points. The A-chains isolated from both ricins showed similar biological properties and contained 2 variants, A1 and A2, differing in their molecular weights and carbohydrate contents. These variants could be separated by affinity chromatography on Con-A-Sepharose which bound the A2 variant more tightly than A1. This property allowed us to obtain immunotoxin preparations devoid of free antibodies and to study the in vitro influence of free antibody on immunotoxin activity.

Fractionation of castor bean allergens (CB-1A). Isolation of RC-13, a homogeneous allergenic fraction

Allergens from castor beans (CB-1A) were fractionated by ion-exchange chromatography both on CM- and SP-Sephadex, employing pH gradient. SP-Sephadex showed better results and fractionated the allergens into 7 components, eluted in a narrow pH range (5.0 - 6.6). An attempt to isolate the major acidic fraction of the group involved successive chromatographic steps on the same gel. RC-13, the isolated fraction, proved homogeneous by rechromatography on SP-Sephadex and isolectric focusing with pH range 3.0 - 10.0 polyacrylamide gel. The pl of RC-13 determined by the latter is approximately 4.2 and allergenic activity was demonstrated by heterologous passive cutaneous anaphylaxis in mice using anti-CB-1A rabbit serum.

A single affinity column step method for the purification of ricin toxin from castor beans (Ricinus communis)

A rapid method for purifying ricin toxin from castor beans is presented which uses a single affinity column step to obtain pure toxin from a crude extract of castor beans. A galactosyl-Sepharose affinity matrix was used to bind ricin toxin and its associated agglutinin, which both bind specifically to galactose, from a crude extract. The selective elution of ricin toxin and agglutinin was then achieved by eluting the affinity column with a galactose gradient, which sequentially elutes the two proteins due to a difference in binding avidity to the matrix.

Chemical and physicochemical characterization of CB-1a, an allergenic fraction isolated from castor bean (Ricinus communis L.)

CB-1A chemical characterization comprised the determination of nitrogen (Kjeldhal: 15.5%: amino acid composition: 17.5%), total (6.8%) and reducing (1.6%) carbohydrates, amino acid composition (Lys4, His1, Arg11, Asp3, Thr1, Ser7, Glu16, Pro2, Gly5, Ala3, Cys6, Val3, Met1, Ile3, Leu4, Tyr1, Phe1; 82 residues). Its behaviour under several TCA concentrations, ultraviolet absorption of native and oxidized CB-1A under several solvents as well as its enzymatic susceptibility were explored. Physicochemical parameters such as MW (protein moiety - composition: 9.642 Da, column: 9.431 Da: glycoprotein-10.345) Da; E1%1cm,220mm = 49.7 E1%1cm,595mm = 29.7: partial specific volume (anhydrous: 0.703 cm3/g; hydrated; 0.924 cm3/g); Stokes radius (15.1 A); hydration water (22%) and frictional ratio (1:10) were determined. Calculated limit molecular dimensions (semi-axis of revolution: 11.4 to 19.8 A) and equatorial radius (13.2 to 17.5 A suggest dendency to sphericity. CB-1A showed allergenicity by PCA. Fourteen components were detected by IEF.

Isolation and partial characterization of a lectin from Euphorbia heterophylla seeds

An N-acetylgalactosamine-specific lectin was isolated from Euphorbia heterophylla seeds by affinity chromatography on cross-linked arabinogalactan. It is a dimeric protein of two identical subunits of Mr 32 000, and differs structurally from all previously known Euphorbiaceae lectins. Its distribution over the seed is typical in that it is merely confined to the primary axes.

Amino acid sequence of small and large subunits of seed storage protein from Ricinus communis

The low molecular weight, glutamine-rich storage protein isolated from the seeds of Ricinus communis (castor beans) has been shown to consist of two different polypeptide chains linked by disulfide bond(s). The small subunit is composed of 34 amino acids with a proline at its NH2 terminus, whereas the large subunit contains 61 amino acids with a cyclized glutamine as the NH2-terminal residue. The complete amino acid sequence of both subunits has been determined through characterization of the isolated subunits and selected peptides from trypsin, chymotrypsin, thermolysin, and cyanogen bromide cleavage. The intact protein possesses a large number of glutaminyl and half-cystinyl residues and exhibits sequence heterogeneity as observed from peptide sequences. Comparison of the sequence of this protein and those of other seed proteins indicates some structural similarities between them. The amino acid sequences of the two polypeptide chains of castor bean storage protein are: (formula, see text).

Studies on lectins. XLIX. The use of glycosyl derivatives of Dextran T-500 for affinity electrophoresis of lectins

p-Aminophenyl glycosides and glycosylamines were coupled to periodate oxidized Dextran T-500 either directly or through an epsilon-aminocaproic acid spacer. The new glycosylated derivatives of dextran specifically precipitate lectins having the appropriate carbohydrate specificity, and thus were used in the preparation of affinity gels for affinity electrophoresis of lectins. The apparent strength of interaction of several lectins with carbohydrate residues immobilized in this way was less than with carbohydrates immobilized in O-glycosyl polyacrylamide copolymers. The presence of epsilon-aminocaproic spacer had no effect on the strength of interaction. The advantages of this type of macromolecular derivative of the ligand for affinity electrophoresis and some differences between the glycosylated dextrans and O-glycosyl polyacrylamide copolymers are discussed. Dextrans containing bound p-aminophenyl alpha-D-mannopyranoside and p-aminophenyl alpha-D-glucopyranoside were used to study the binding properties of concanavalin A and the lectin from Lathyrus sativus seeds. For the investigation of interaction of lectins from Ricinus communis and Glycine soja seeds, dextran derivatives containing bound p-aminophenyl alpha- and beta-D-galactopyranosides and alpha- and beta-D-galactopyranosylamines were used.

Purification and physicochemical properties of ricins and agglutinins from Ricinus communis

Two toxin ricins and two agglutinins have been purified from the seeds of Ricinus communis by an improved procedure based on ion-exchange chromatography and gel filtration. One of the two purified ricins binds to Sepharose 4B while the other does not. The physicochemical properties of the four Ricinus lectins are presented and the possible relationships of these Ricinus lectins to those previously described are discussed.

Physical studies on three lectins from the seeds of Abrus precatorius

The physical properties of three lectins from the seeds of the Abrus precatorius plant, abrin C, abrin A and the Abrus agglutinin, were studied. All three exhibited similar circular dichroic (CD) spectra in the near-ultraviolet having negative maxima at 286 and 293 nm. In addition, D-galactose induced similar conformational alterations in the three proteins as observed through changes in the near-ultraviolet CD from 280 to 295 nm. The near-ultraviolet CD spectrum of the toxic subunit of abrin C was very different from that of the parent molecule. The fluorescence emission spectra of the three proteins were also studied. All exhibited fluorescence near 335 nm which is quenched 9% by galactose. Iodide quenching of fluorescence using the Stern-Volmer analysis indicated different tryptophan accessibilities in the presence and absence of D-galactose for the Abrus agglutinin. The results suggest that there is a saccharide-induced conformational change which buries several partially exposed tryptophan residues. A comparable analysis of the closely related Ricinus agglutinin revealed that its tryptophan residues are more buried than those of the Abrus agglutinin and, unlike the Abrus agglutinin, there was no saccharide-induced change in tryptophan accessibility.

Cytotoxic, cell agglutinating, and syncytium forming effect of purified lectins from Ricinus communis on cultured cells

The toxicity of lectins from castor bean (Ricinus communis L.), ricin-D, ricin-E, and castor bean hemagglutinin, was investigated on five cultured cell lines. The differential effect of their constituent polypeptide chains was also investigated using these cell lines. Ricin-D, ricin-E, and castor bean hemagglutinin (CBH) possessed cytoagglutinating activity and cytotoxic activity to all five cell lines. These lectins showed the strongest toxicity to L5178Y cells, which are leukemic cells. The toxic activity of ricin-D was stronger than that of CBH in all cell lines. The constituent polypebtide chains of ricin-D and CBH were separated by DEAE-cellulose chromatography and designated as isoleucine chain and alanine chain denoted by their N-terminal amino acids. Only alanine chain of ricin-D was toxic to cells grown in vitro, whereas isoleucine chain of ricin-D and alanine chain of CBH were not toxic to the cells. Moreover, it was found that both lectins caused syncytium formation in NIH3T3 cells infected with Moloney leukemia virus and this cell fusion activity was shown to be exclusively associated with the alanine chain. Cytotoxic, cell agglutinating, and syncytium forming effect of the lectins is due to binding of the alanine chain of ricin-D to galactose-like residues of the membrane constituents of these cells.

Cross-linked arabinogalactan: a new affinity matrix for the purification of Ricinus communis lectins

Arabinogalactan has been cross-linked to give a new high capacity affinity matrix for the purification of Ricinus communis lectins. It shows a capacity which is 50 times greater than that of the conventional affinity matrices.

Crystalline ricin D, a toxic anti-tumor lectin from seeds of Ricinus communis

A toxic lectin, ricin D, present in the seeds of Ricinus communis has been purified and crystallized in a form suitable for high resolution crystallographic structure studies. This protein is different from a previously found form of ricin (also present in the same seeds), the only ricin for which a preliminary x-ray investigation has been reported so far. Ricin D crystallizes from an aqueous solution in an orthorhombic unit cell of symmetry P2(1)2(1)2(1) and a = 79.0, b = 114.7, and c = 72.8 A. The asymmetric unit contains one molecule with an average molecular weight of 62,400. The crystal is fairly stable to x-radiation and has a water content of approximately 54% by volume. It appears to comprise two closely related species of proteins, the major species corresponding to recin D and the other presumably corresponding to a deamidation product of ricin D. The two species have nearly identical molecular size and amino acid compositions, but different charges.

Similarities in the polypeptide composition of glyoxysomal and endoplasmic-reticulum membranes from castor-bean endosperm

Microsomal fractions, glyoxysomes and mitochondria were isolated from homogenates of germinating castor-bean (Ricinus communis) endosperm by sucrose-density-gradient centrifugation. Washed membrane preparations from these cellular fractions were examined by sodium dodecyl sulphate/polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis. At corresponding developmental stages the endoplasmic-reticulum and glyoxysomal membranes were strikingly similar in polypeptide composition, at least 16 polypeptides being present in membranes isolated from 3-day-old tissue. Supplying [35S]methionine to intact endosperm tissue resulted in the labelling of all membrane polypeptides, the specific radioactivity in the endoplasmic reticulum being greater than for equivalent polypeptides of the glyoxysomal membrane. Washing these membranes with sodium deoxycholate solution extensively solubilized protein components, with the exception of a predominant polypeptide of mol.wt. 55000. Mitochondrial membrane preparations differed from those of the endoplasmic reticulum and glyoxysomes in polypeptide molecular-weight distribution and the [35S]methionine-labelling pattern. The similarity in polypeptide composition between endoplasmic-reticulum and glyoxysomal membranes is discussed in relation to glyoxysome biogenesis.

[Polymorphism and glycoprotein character of Ricinus communis lectins purified by affinity chromatography]

Two lectin fractions (S20W = 6,8 and 4,9 S) were purified from Ricinus communis seeds. The purification was carried out in four steps : ammonium sulfate fractionation, affinity chromatography on Sepharose 4 B, gel filtration on Sephadex G 150 and chromatography on CM celluloes. The purified lectins were glycoproteins whose chemical composition was determined. Amino terminal analysis of the two fractions revealed glycine and serine. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of the higher molecular weight fraction allowed the separation of several components with different affinity for PAS staining.

Wheat germ agglutinin and Ticinus communis agglutinin as specific saccharide stains in light and electron microscopy

Two plant agglutinins, wheat germ agglutinin and Ricinus communis agglutinin, were used for light and electron microscopic detection of certain carbohydrate-containing cell surface components and extracellular polysaccharides. For light microscopic studies on various tissues fluorescein isothiocyanate coupled lectins were prepared. The ferritin coupling of the lectins for electron microscopy was performed by glutarldehyde in the presence of the specific hapten. The specificity of the reactions was demonstrated by blocking with the hapten.

Mobility and the restriction of mobility of plasma membrane lectin-binding components

Labeling by ferritin-conjugated agglutinins from Ricinus communis was used to demonstrate the relative mobilities of the agglutinin receptors located in specific regions on plasma membranes of rabbit spermatozoa. The relative mobility of lectin receptors was higher on postacrosomal regions of sperm than on acrosomal and tail regions. Lectin-induced clustering could not be demonstrated in the acrosomal and tail regions, an indication of the existence of localized restraints on the mobilities of lectin receptors. A system of transmembrane restraints may maintain the segregation of plasma membrane components into membrane domains on certain highly differentiated cells.

The amino acid sequence of sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) and castor (Ricinus communis L.) cytochrome c

The amino acid sequences of sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) and castor (Ricinus communis L.) cytochrome c were determined by using 1.5mumol of protein from each species. Both molecules consist of a single chain of 111 amino acid residues and are homologous with other mitochondrial cytochrome c molecules. Both have an N-acetylated ;tail' of eight amino acids and two in-N-trimethyl-lysine residues, as also reported for wheat germ (Delange, Glazer & Smith, 1969) and mung-bean cytochrome c (Thompson, Laycock, Ramshaw & Boulter, 1970). Two different preparations of castor cytochrome c differed by one residue. This was glutamic acid for glutamine in position 100. The results for sesame and castor cytochrome c led to a re-examination and subsequent correction to the N-terminal region of the mung-bean cytochrome c sequence, as given by Thompson et al. (1970).