The thesis entitled “Folding studies on Peanut Agglutinin: A lectin with an unusual quaternary structure” deals with the several aspects of the folding of the tetrameric legume lectin Peanut Agglutinin (PNA). PNA is a well studied legume lectin and several interesting observations regarding its unfolding have been published from our laboratory. The present thesis is an extension of the same work to enrich our knowledge about the folding behaviour of PNA. The thesis describes both experimental as well as theoretical insight on unfolding of PNA. Chapter 1 is a general discussion on lectins. Lectins are carbohydrate binding proteins of non immune source. Lectins are generally found in all type of organisms- plants, animals as well as micro-organisms. Among the plant lectins “legume lectin” is a very well studied system. Legume lectins share a general tertiary structural fold; “jelly roll fold” while they vary in their quaternary structure. Thus they can be considered as “natural mutants” in the context of quaternary structure. The origin of the lectins, structure and sugar specificity have been discussed with emphasis on legume lectin family. Chapter 2 describes the thermodynamics related to the urea induced denaturation of PNA. PNA shows a very interesting unfolding profile, populating one molten globule like intermediate during thermal as well as chaotrope induced denaturation. The molten globule like intermediate loses most of its tertiary structure but retains sufficient secondary structure. Surprisingly, the molten globule like state retains its carbohydrate binding specificity like the native PNA. A model has been developed to fit the chaotrope induced three state denaturation profile of PNA. The model considers the tetramer to dissociate to monomeric intermediate, which in turn dissociates to complete denatured state. All the relevant thermodynamic parameters (∆G, ∆Cp, Tg) associated in the denaturation process have been extracted. The tetramer is found to be ~30 kcal/Mole more stable compared to the intermediate and the intermediate is ~8 kcal/Mole more stable compared to the denatured. The denaturation process has been followed by the changes in hydrodynamic radii by dynamic light scattering (DLS). The profile of change in hydrodynamic radius and the % intensity clearly identify the generation of two species simultaneously. The analysis shows that the intermediate is ~40 % unfolded in nature. Thus this chapter deals with the detailed study of thermodynamics and dynamic light scattering study of the urea induced denaturation of PNA. Chapter 3 deals with the effect of 2, 2, 2 - trifluoroethanol (TFE) on the structure of PNA at two different pH. TFE is a well known co-solvent and is widely used to induce α- helical structure in a protein. The secondary structures induced by TFE are assumed to reflect conformations that prevail during early stages of protein folding. Thus it was quite interesting to notice the structural changes induced by TFE. The effect of TFE has been studied at two different pH- neutral pH of 7.4 and acidic pH 2.5. The  structure of the protein is accentuated in the presence of TFE at low concentration at both the pH. TFE induces α-helical structure from 40 % (v/v) concentration onwards at both the pH. TFE at 15 % concentration induces a molten globule like structure at low pH. The quenching of acrylamide suggests that the protein at low pH and 15 % TFE concentration has a more compact structure compared to the protein at low pH in absence of TFE as well as 6M guanidine hydrochloride (GdnHCl). Further studies of hydrodynamic radii by dynamic light scattering (DLS) also reveal that the protein undergoes some kind of compaction in presence of 15 % TFE at low pH. The induction of this type of molten globule like state at neutral pH has not been observed. Chapter 4 describes the molecular dynamics simulation of deoligomerization of PNA. The native PNA (PDB code 2PEL), excluding any ligand and metal ions has been simulated at 300 K, 400 K, 500 K and 600 K for 500 ps. The overall destabilisation has been followed by root mean square deviation (RMSD), the radius of gyration (Rg) and the solvent accessible surface area (ASA), while the atomistic details are revealed by residue wise RMSD (RRMS), hydrogen bonds and cluster analysis. The protein shows a quite a dramatic change in RMSD and radius of gyration profile at 600 K. RRMS shows that the residues belonging to the loops, mainly in the metal binding site show quite high flexibility. The relative change in average accessible surface area reveals that the primary core of the protein is exposed at 600 K while it is well buried till 500 K. The hydrogen bond analysis clearly shows that with increase in temperature number of hydrogen bonds starts decreasing. Mainly the hydrogen bonds involving side chain interactions are broken. Surprisingly, not all the monomers behave similarly. Monomers C and D are more perturbed compared to monomers A and B. The asymmetry in the interfaces of the monomers may be the key reason for it. The change in the interfaces has been probed by hydrogen bond analysis and cluster analysis. The GSIV type interfaces (A-D and B-C) have been found out to be the most dynamic in nature compared to the other two interfaces. Thus, this chapter reveals the early stage of unfolding of PNA, where perturbation in secondary and tertiary structural level is quite prominent but the interfaces are still holding weakly and are not completely dissociated. Chapter 5 is the continuation of the molecular dynamics simulation on unfolding of PNA, where the effect of metal ions has been illustrated. The monomeric PNA has been simulated to compare its dynamics with the tetramer. The metal binding loop (125-135) becomes unstable and opens up for the monomer even at 300 K after 800 ps. The monomer at 600 K is completely disorganized. The instability of the metal binding loop of the monomer triggers the urge to study the simulation in presence of metal ions (Ca2+ and Mn2+). The monomer bound with metal ions shows steady fluctuation at 300 K. Binding of metal ions seems to bring stability even at 600 K. Surprisingly binding of metal ions to the metal binding site not only stabilises the metal binding loop but also stabilises residues at back beta sheet which are involved in oligomerization. Hence, another simulation of the tetramer at 600 K bound with metal ions has been done. It has been shown that binding of metal ions increases the stability of the protein without altering the denaturation pathway. Appendix A describes a completely different study from PNA. The initial spectral and kinetic characterization of 7, 8- Diaminopelargonic acid Synthase (DAPA Synthase) has been done from Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The DAPA Synthase gene has been cloned earlier in our laboratory and the same has been used for further studies. This is a well known pyridoxal-5′ phosphate (PLP) dependent enzyme, which converts 8- Amino-7-oxopelargonic Acid (KAPA) to 7, 8-Diaminopelargonic Acid (DAPA) in the second step of biotin biosynthesis. DAPA Synthase uses S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) and KAPA as substrate. The first half of the enzymatic reaction has been followed spectroscopically, both by steady state and stopped flow. The enzyme seems to undergo change in conformation as evident from fluorescence and circular dichroism study. The Km value has been determined using bioassay technique. The detailed characterization of the enzyme has been described in this chapter.

¡iAbstract¡j Vagal sensory neurons play an important role in the neural control of airway and other visceral organs. Regional distribution of vagal sensory neurons in the vagal ganglia that correspond to different viscera is uncertain. Horseradish peroxidase (HRP) was applied to the right thoracic vagus nerve and recurrent laryngeal nerve to be retrogradely transported to the neurons in vagal nodose and jugular ganglia. Labeling of neuronal cell bodies was visualized with diaminobenzidine reaction. Ricinus communis agglutinin-60 (RCA-60) was injected into the right thoracic vagus nerve and transported retrogradely to cause destruction of the ribosome in the vagal ganglia neuron cell bodies. The magnitude of neurogenic plasma extravasation induced by capsaicin was measured by the area density of the India ink-labeled leaky blood vessels in the trachea and bronchi. The present study demonstrated that there was no distinct localization of HRP- labeled neurons, except at the level of pharyngeal nerve that was connected to the middle of the nodose ganglion. There were approximately 42.2 % of labeled neurons in the nodose ganglion and 30.5 % in the jugular ganglion 3 days after application of HRP in the thoracic vagus nerve. After application of HRP to the recurrent laryngeal nerve, 13.3 % of labeled neurons was found in the nodose ganglion and 8.3 % in the jugular ganglion. One to two weeks after RCA injection into the thoracic vagus nerve, many cell bodies of neurons had a striking degenerative alteration and the cytoplasmic density was markedly reduced. Nissl¡¦s bodies obviously disappeared and vacuoles were the usual feature. Application of RCA-60 also inhibited the neurogenic plasma extravasation in the right bronchial tree that were reduced by 71- 89 %. It is suggested that RCA- 60 selectively destroyed the vagal sensory neurons that innervated the ipsilateral branchial tree. It is concluded that vagal nodose and jugular ganglia supplied different number of sensory neurons to the vagal branches and regulated the physiological function of the visceral organs.

The abundant cell-surface lipophosphoglycan (LPG) of Leishmania parasites plays a central role throughout the eukaryote’s life cycle. A number of LPG-defective mutants and their complementing genes have been isolated and have proven invaluable in assessing the importance of LPG and related glycoconjugates in parasite virulence. While ricin agglutination selection protocols frequently result in lpg- mutants, one L. donovani variant we isolated, named JABBA, was found to be lpg+. Procyclic (logarithmic) JABBA expresses significant amounts of a large-sized LPG, larger than observed from procyclic wild-type but similar in size to LPG from wild-type from metacyclic (stationary) phase. Structural analysis of the LPG from logarithmically-grown JABBA by capillary electrophoresis protocols revealed that it averaged 30 repeat units composed of the unsubstituted Gal(β1,4)Man(α1)-PO4 typical of wild-type L. donovani. Analysis of JABBA LPG caps indicated that 20% are the disaccharide Glc(β1,2)Man, trisaccharide Gal(β1,4)[Glc(β1,2)]Man, and tetrasaccharide Gal(β1,4)[Glc(β1,2)Man(α1,2)]Man in addition to wild-type Gal(β1,4)Man and Man(α1,2)Man and Gal(β1,4)[Man(α1,2)]Man terminating caps, These glucose containing isoforms were absent in stationary parasites. Consistent with these structural observations, analyses of the relevant glycosyltransferases in JABBA microsomes involved in LPG biosynthesis showed a two-fold increase in elongating mannosylphosphoryltransferase activity and up-regulation of a β-glucosyltransferase activity. The β-glucosyltransferase in both JABBA and wild-type in vitro produced a β-glucosidase sensitive and β-galactosidase sensitive trisaccharide, indicative of the mannose of repeating units and caps being used in substrate, novel in comparison to other Leishmania species. Furthermore, the caps of JABBA LPG are cryptic in presentation as shown by the loss of binding by the lectins ricin, peanut agglutinin and concanavalin A and reduced accessibility of the terminal galactose residues to oxidation by galactose oxidase. These results indicate that LPG from JABBA is intriguingly similar to the larger LPG in wild-type parasites that arises following the differentiation of the non-infectious procyclic promastigotes to infectious, metacyclic forms, and has a unique β-glucosyltransferase not active in vivo in wild-type parasites.

The activity and specificity of salivary glycoproteins (agglutinins) aggregating various human indigenous microorganisms were studied in vitro. The agglutinin reacting with a serotype c strain of Streptococcus mutans was isolated and chemically characterized. The results can be summarized as follows: 1. Saliva contains agglutinins against predominant oral microorganisms but also against some of the predominant intestinal bacteria. Agglutinin from one individual was active against microorganisms both from this individual and other individuals. 2. Saliva-induced agglutination of S. sanguis was inhibited by antisera to IgA, IgG, IgM, and secretory component while S. mutans agglutination was inhibited only by albumin and antisera to IgA. The differences in inhibition indicate the presence of different agglutinins for the two strains. 3. The agglutinin for an S. mutans serotype c strain was sensitive to a reduction in pH and to treatment with Concanavalin A while an S. mitior agglutinin was not. The tested S. mitior strain, however, adsorbed the S. mutans agglutinin without being agglutinated. 4. The agglutinin reacting with an S. mutans serotype c strain could be desorbed from the microorganisms in a neutral phosphate buffer. Calcium in the order of 10 million molecules per bacteria was needed to restore agglutination induced by the isolated agglutinin. 5. The agglutinin in parotid saliva responsible for aggregation of an S. mutans serotype c strain was characterized as a non-immunoglobulin glycoprotein with no blood group activity. The agglutinin was a polymer with a molecular weight exceeding 5 000 kdaltons while the monomeric agglutinin had a molecular weight of 440 kdaltons. The concentration of the agglutinin in parotid saliva was as low as 0.5 per cent of total protein but because 0.1 ug of the agglutinin caused rapid aggregation of as many as 100 million bacteria the agglutinin is considered highly active. The results indicate the presence in saliva of different agglutinins with specificity for different bacterial species. High molecular weight glycoproteins seem to play a major role in saliva-induced agglutination of microorganisms and in mechanisms related to clearance and retention of oral microorganisms. / digitalisering@umu.se

No description available.

No description available.

Lectins are a class of proteins that bind to carbohydrates with a high degree of specificity. They are involved in various cellular processes such as, host - pathogen interactions, targeting of proteins within cells, cell - cell interaction, cellular segregation and development. They serve as important tools for probing the carbohydrate structures in biological systems such as cell membranes and also as model systems for elucidating protein - carbohydrate interactions. Lectins are distributed ubiquitously in nature ranging from microorganisms to the plants and animals. Plant lectins are a group of proteins that according to a recently updated definition comprise all plant proteins possessing at least one non-catalytic domain that binds reversibly to specific mono- or oligosaccharide. The majority of all currently known plant lectins may be classified into four major groups - (1) Legume lectins, (2) Chitin-binding lectins, (3) Type 2 Ribosome inactivating proteins and the (4) Monocot mannose binding lectins. The monocot mannose binding lectins are an extended superfamily of structurally and evolutionarily related proteins. Till now these proteins have been isolated from the following families, namely, Amaryllidaceae, Affiaceae, Araceae, Orchidaceae, Iridaceae and Li/iaceae. They exhibit marked sequence homology and a unique specificity for mannose. At present there is a wide interest in the monocot mannose-binding lectins because of: (1) their exclusive specificity towards mannose, (2) their anti - retroviral activity and (3) their potent entomotoxic properties. Of particular interest are lectins from the bulbs of garlic (Allium sativum) and ramson (A. ursinum), which contain more than one type of lectin. The first report of the presence of lectins in the bulbs of garlic {Allium sativum agglutinin, ASA) was made by Van Damme et al in 1991. Bulbs of garlic are known to accumulate two types of mannose binding lectins, the heterodimeric, ASAI and the hornodimeric, ASAII. Though these two lectins differ in the lengths of their polypeptide chains, they exhibit marked similarities with respect to their primary sequence, post translational modifications, serological properties, immunochemical attributes as well as carbohydrate binding properties. This thesis describes the successful cloning of the ASAI gene from the garlic genomic DNA and expression of the functional recombinant protein in insect cell lines. ASAI was subsequently characterized for its carbohydrate binding specificity by means of a sensitive enzyme based assay. Finer insights into this sugar binding topology of ASAI for its complementary ligands was obtained from the surface plasmon resonance studies. Lastly, the folding behaviour as well as an estimate of its conformational stability was investigated by differential scanning calorimetric and equilibrium solution denaturation studies. Chapter 1 provides a comprehensive review on lectins pertaining to their definition, historical background, occurrence in nature, three dimensional structure and architecture, modes of bonding, biological functions and implications as well as their applications in biomedical research. Chapter 2 describes the isolation and purification of the heterodimeric lectin, ASAI in two steps using affinity chromatography followed by gel filtration chromatography from the bulbs of garlic. The purified ASAI was then characterized for their serological, physico- and immuno-chemical properties by means of capillary electrophoresis, hemagglutination activity and generation of antisera against ASAI in rabbits. Chapter 3 revolves around the cloning of the gene encoding ASAI by PCR amplification from garlic genomic DNA. The authenticity of the ASA gene was established by means of gene sequencing, which in turn provided us with the primary sequence of this lectin. With the ASAI clone established innumerable attempts, as highlighted in the chapter, were made to express the functional protein in bacteria. All attempts yielded pure recombinant garlic lectin with no detectable activity. This prompted us to shift our efforts into expression of the recombinant protein in the baculovirus expression system using the Sf21 insect cell lines and the Autographa californica nuclear polyhedrosis virus (AcNPV). The choice of this system proved beneficial as we obtained functional recombinant garlic lectin with its hemagglutinating activity comparable to the native protein. Chapter 4 highlights the design of an elegant coupled enzyme-based colorimetric assay (Enzyme Linked Lectin Adsorbent Assay) for elucidation of the carbohydrate binding specificity of ASAI. This expansive and extensive study involved the assay of a wide range of mannooligosaccharides in order to gain an insight into the sugar binding details of ASAI. ASAI recognizes monosaccharides in the mannosyl configuration. The potencies of the ligands for ASAI is shown to increase in the following order: Mannobiose < Mannotriose Mannopentaose Man9 oligosaccharide. Mannononase glycopeptide (Man9GlcNAc2Asn), the highest oligomer studied exhibited the greatest binding affinity suggesting ASAI to possess a preference for cluster of terminal αl-2-linked mannosyl residues at the non-reducing end. This kind of exquisite specificity is unique in the lectins described so far. Among the glycoproteins assayed, invertase, soyabean agglutinin and ovalbumin displayed high binding affinity. Chapter 5 unravels the fine specificity of the mannose containing carbohydrate moieties for binding to ASAI with emphasis on their kinetics of binding. This has been achieved by invoking the principle of surface plasmon resonance allowing measurement of bimolecular interactions in real time. This investigation corroborates our earlier study about the special preference of garlic lectin for terminal a α1-2 linked mannose residues. Increase in binding propensity can be directly correlated to the addition of αl-2 linked mannose to the mannooligosaccharide at its non-reducing end. An analyses of these data reveals that the α1-2 linked terminal mannose on the α1-6 arm to be the critical determinant in the recognition of mannooligosaccharides by the lectin. While kI increases progressively from Man3 to Man7 derivatives, and more dramatically so for Man8 and Man9 derivatives, k-1 decreases relatively much less gradually from Man3 to Man9 structures. An unprecedented increase in the association rate constant for interaction with ASAI with the structure of the oligosaccharide ligand constitutes a significant finding in protein-sugar recognition. Chapter 6 deals with the thermal unfolding of ASAI, characterized by differential scanning calorimetry and circular dichroism which shows it to be highly reversible and can be defined as a two-state process in which the folded dimer is converted directly to the unfolded monomers (A2 2U). Moreover, its conformational stability has been determined as a function of temperature; GdnCl concentration and pH using a combination of thermal and isothermal GdnCl induced unfolding monitored by DSC, far-UV CD and fluorescence, respectively. Analysis of these data yielded the heat capacity change upon unfolding (∆CP) as also the temperature dependence of the thermodynamic parameters, namely, ∆G, ∆H, ∆S. The protein appears to attain a completely unfolded state irrespective of the method of denaturation. The absence of any folding intermediates suggests the quaternary interactions to be the major contributor to the conformational stability of the protein, which correlates very well with its X-ray structure. The final chapter summarizes the findings reported in the thesis.

As Proteínas Inativadoras de Ribossomos (RIPs) compreendem uma família de enzimas que inibem a síntese protéica através da depurinação de uma adenina específica do RNA ribossomal. Os membros desta família são classificados como RIPs do tipo I, quando possuem somente o RNA-N-Glicosidase e RIPs do tipo II quando além do domínio glicosidase, também apresentam um domínio de lectina. As RIPs foram mais estudadas em plantas, onde a ricina e a aglutinina, ambas RIP do tipo II de mamona (Ricinus communis), estão entre as primeiras descritas. O presente trabalho teve o objetivo de identificar parálogos da ricina e aglutinina, bem como RIPs do tipo I de mamona e analisar as suas relações filogenéticas. Além disso, validar o uso de 14 potenciais genes de referência para qRT-PCR em cinco estádios do desenvolvimento da semente de mamona. O padrão de expressão gênica por RT-qPCR de todas RIPs de mamona identificadas, também foram analisados nestes mesmos estádios. Um total de 18 genes de RIPs foi identificado em mamona (Rcom RIPs), dos quais 10 foram classificados como do tipo II e 8 do tipo I. As topologias das árvores filogenéticas sugerem que as Rcom RIPs foram originadas a partir de múltiplos eventos de duplicação gênica. Dois modelos evolutivos foram propostos para a radiação das Rcom RIPs, baseados em processos de fusão gênica associado ou não a eventos de duplicação parcial. Os genes Act 2/7, EF β, Ubi, TIP e UBC foram os que apresentaram perfil de expressão mais estável e foram selecionados para subsequente normalização dos dados de expressão das Rcom RIPs. Os genes que codificam as Rcom RIPI 3, 4, 5, 7 e 8 e as Rcom RIPII 1, 2, 4, 5, 6 e 8 são transcritos em sementes, sendo que a Rcom RIPII 1 (ricina) e a Rcom RIPII 2 (aglutinina) foram as mais expressas. O presente trabalho apresenta um modelo evolutivo das Rcom RIPs, o qual pode ser extrapolado para outras espécies de plantas. Este trabalho também demonstra o primeiro esforço para a padronização de genes de referência para RT-qPCR em mamona e o primeiro que apresenta a expressão outras Rcom RIPs, além da ricina e aglutinina. / Ribosome inactivating proteins (RIPs) comprise a family of enzymes that inhibit protein synthesis, after depurination of an adenine-specific ribosomal RNA. The members of this family are classified as type I RIPs, which have a RNA-Nglycosidase domain and type II RIPs encompassing a RNA-N-glycosidase and a lectin domain.The RIPs were more studied in plants, where ricin and agglutinin, both type II RIP of castor bean (Ricinus communis), were the first to be described. This work aimed to: 1) identifine paralogous of ricin and agglutinin, as well as the type I RIPs of castor bean; 2) analyze their phylogenetic relationships; 3) validate the use of 14 potential housekeeping genes for qRT-PCR for five developmental stages of R. communis seeds; 4) analyze the pattern of gene expression by RTqPCR of all RIPs castor identified in these same stages. A total of 18 genes that encode RIPs were identified in castor bean (Rcom RIPs), 10 of which were classified as type II and 8 as type I. The phylogenetic trees topologies suggest that Rcom RIPs were originated from multiple events of gene duplications. Two evolutionary models have been proposed for the radiation of Rcom RIPs based on gene fusion processes associated or not to events of partial duplication. The genes Act 2/7, EF β, Ubi, TIP and UBC presented the more stable expression profile and were selected for further RT- qPCR normalization experiments. The Rcom RIPI 3, 4, 5, 7 and 8 and Rcom RIPI 1, 2, 4, 5, 6 and 8 genes are actively transcribed in seeds, whereas the Rcom RIPI 1 (ricin) and Rcom RIPI 2 (agglutinin) were the most expressed. This paper presents an evolutionary model of Rcom RIPs, which can be extrapolated to other plant species. Also, corresponds to the first effort to standardize housekeeping genes for RT-qPCR in castor bean and the first that shows the expression Rcom RIPs, other than ricin and agglutinin.

The 21st century has been called the age of genomic medicine, yet gene therapy for medicinal use remains a theory. One reason that there are no safe and effective treatments for human disease is the lack of a vehicle capable of delivering genetic material to a specific target. In nature we observe gene pathology by viral vectors, which deliver their own genetic material to specific host cells efficient at spreading the viral blueprint throughout the organism. The aim of my research into gene therapy has been to develop a synthetic vector with the delivery capability of viral vectors found in nature. This includes the ability to protect genetic cargo from modification and degradation in vivo, target to a desired cell type within a specific tissue, facilitating absorption into the cell, and delivery to the nucleus, where expression of genetic material occurs. The goal of this thesis project was to synthesize a novel vector which would selectively target the dendritic cell SIGN receptor, mirroring the method of pathogens such as HIV, which target this receptor and subsequently the immune system, resulting in chronic infection. The vector we designed contains two major components, the high mannose N-glycan Man9GlcNAc2Asn, and a peptide composed of nine amino acids: four lysine spacing residues, four lysines derivatized with acridine on the epsilon amine of their side chains, and a cysteine for conjugation to the glycan. This compound, the Man9-AcrLys Glycopeptide, was engineered to intercalate into plasmid DNA via the acridine functional groups and to bind the DC-SIGN receptor through the glycan's mannose residues. The vehicle was tested in vitro in CHO cells bearing a recombinant DC-SIGN receptor in the context of luciferase reporter gene delivery. We found that under equal treatment conditions, DC-SIGN (+) CHO cells expressed more luciferase and were 100-fold more luminescent than control DC-SIGN (-) CHO cells. My delivery method was further analyzed in a cell-sorting FACS experiment. I covalently labeled pGL3 reporter plasmid with a fluorophore, and transfected the CHO cells under typical transfection conditions. The experimental results confirmed preferential DC-SIGN mediated gene delivery.

As Proteínas Inativadoras de Ribossomos (RIPs) compreendem uma família de enzimas que inibem a síntese protéica através da depurinação de uma adenina específica do RNA ribossomal. Os membros desta família são classificados como RIPs do tipo I, quando possuem somente o RNA-N-Glicosidase e RIPs do tipo II quando além do domínio glicosidase, também apresentam um domínio de lectina. As RIPs foram mais estudadas em plantas, onde a ricina e a aglutinina, ambas RIP do tipo II de mamona (Ricinus communis), estão entre as primeiras descritas. O presente trabalho teve o objetivo de identificar parálogos da ricina e aglutinina, bem como RIPs do tipo I de mamona e analisar as suas relações filogenéticas. Além disso, validar o uso de 14 potenciais genes de referência para qRT-PCR em cinco estádios do desenvolvimento da semente de mamona. O padrão de expressão gênica por RT-qPCR de todas RIPs de mamona identificadas, também foram analisados nestes mesmos estádios. Um total de 18 genes de RIPs foi identificado em mamona (Rcom RIPs), dos quais 10 foram classificados como do tipo II e 8 do tipo I. As topologias das árvores filogenéticas sugerem que as Rcom RIPs foram originadas a partir de múltiplos eventos de duplicação gênica. Dois modelos evolutivos foram propostos para a radiação das Rcom RIPs, baseados em processos de fusão gênica associado ou não a eventos de duplicação parcial. Os genes Act 2/7, EF β, Ubi, TIP e UBC foram os que apresentaram perfil de expressão mais estável e foram selecionados para subsequente normalização dos dados de expressão das Rcom RIPs. Os genes que codificam as Rcom RIPI 3, 4, 5, 7 e 8 e as Rcom RIPII 1, 2, 4, 5, 6 e 8 são transcritos em sementes, sendo que a Rcom RIPII 1 (ricina) e a Rcom RIPII 2 (aglutinina) foram as mais expressas. O presente trabalho apresenta um modelo evolutivo das Rcom RIPs, o qual pode ser extrapolado para outras espécies de plantas. Este trabalho também demonstra o primeiro esforço para a padronização de genes de referência para RT-qPCR em mamona e o primeiro que apresenta a expressão outras Rcom RIPs, além da ricina e aglutinina. / Ribosome inactivating proteins (RIPs) comprise a family of enzymes that inhibit protein synthesis, after depurination of an adenine-specific ribosomal RNA. The members of this family are classified as type I RIPs, which have a RNA-Nglycosidase domain and type II RIPs encompassing a RNA-N-glycosidase and a lectin domain.The RIPs were more studied in plants, where ricin and agglutinin, both type II RIP of castor bean (Ricinus communis), were the first to be described. This work aimed to: 1) identifine paralogous of ricin and agglutinin, as well as the type I RIPs of castor bean; 2) analyze their phylogenetic relationships; 3) validate the use of 14 potential housekeeping genes for qRT-PCR for five developmental stages of R. communis seeds; 4) analyze the pattern of gene expression by RTqPCR of all RIPs castor identified in these same stages. A total of 18 genes that encode RIPs were identified in castor bean (Rcom RIPs), 10 of which were classified as type II and 8 as type I. The phylogenetic trees topologies suggest that Rcom RIPs were originated from multiple events of gene duplications. Two evolutionary models have been proposed for the radiation of Rcom RIPs based on gene fusion processes associated or not to events of partial duplication. The genes Act 2/7, EF β, Ubi, TIP and UBC presented the more stable expression profile and were selected for further RT- qPCR normalization experiments. The Rcom RIPI 3, 4, 5, 7 and 8 and Rcom RIPI 1, 2, 4, 5, 6 and 8 genes are actively transcribed in seeds, whereas the Rcom RIPI 1 (ricin) and Rcom RIPI 2 (agglutinin) were the most expressed. This paper presents an evolutionary model of Rcom RIPs, which can be extrapolated to other plant species. Also, corresponds to the first effort to standardize housekeeping genes for RT-qPCR in castor bean and the first that shows the expression Rcom RIPs, other than ricin and agglutinin.