Plant Toxins

Ricin and abrin share a unique structure and function as Type II ribosome-inactivating proteins. Composed of two polypeptide chains, the enzymatic A chain halts protein synthesis, while the B chain facilitates cell surface binding via galactose-containing glycoproteins and glycolipids, enabling cellular entry. This precise mechanism underscores their potent biological activity and significance in both research and biomedical contexts.