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. 1987 Aug;84(16):5640–5644. doi: 10.1073/pnas.84.16.5640

Cloning and expression of recombinant, functional ricin B chain.

M S Chang, D W Russell, J W Uhr, E S Vitetta
PMCID: PMC298918  PMID: 3112772

Abstract

The cDNA encoding the B chain of the plant toxin ricin has been cloned and expressed in monkey kidney COS-M6 cells. The recombinant B chain was detected by labeling the transfected cells with [35S]methionine and [35S]-cysteine and demonstrating the secretion of a protein with a Mr of 30,000-32,000 that was not present in the medium of mock-transfected COS-M6 cells. This protein was specifically immunoprecipitated by an anti-ricin or anti-B-chain antibody and the amount of recombinant B chain secreted by the COS-M6 cells was determined by a radioimmunoassay. Virtually all of the recombinant B chain formed active ricin when mixed with native A chain; it could also bind to the galactose-containing glycoprotein asialofetuin as effectively as native B chain. These results indicate that the vast majority of recombinant B chains secreted into the medium of the COS-M6 cells retain biological function.

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Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

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