Ribosome-inactivating proteins (RIPs) are found in a wide variety of plant species. They possess an RNA N-glycosidase activity whereby the removal of a specific adenine residue from 28 S RNA renders a eukaryotic ribosome inactive. Type II RIPS contain both an active polypeptide and a sugar-binding polypeptide. Type I RIPs are composed of a single polypeptide functionally homologous to the active type II polypeptide. This thesis describes studies of the gene sequences of RIPs representative of each class: Ricin, a type II RIP from the castor oil plant (Ricinus communis h.), and saporin, a type I RIP from soapwort (Saponaria officinalis L.). Two ricin gene sequences were isolated from a Ricinus genomic library and partially characterised. One gene was a badly damaged ricin-like pseudogene whilst the other was shown to encode an active polypeptide. A second ricin sequence encoding an active polypeptide was isolated using Polymerase Chain Reaction (PGR) DNA amplification. The specificity of PGR amplification was investigated using the ricin and related agglutinin gene sequences. Partial amino acid sequence data derived from protein sequencing of saporin-6 was used to synthesise degenerate inosine-containing oligonucleotides. These directed the PGR amplification of part of the saporin coding sequence from genomic DNA. The product was used as a saporin-specific hybridisation probe. Southern analysis of Saponaria genomic DNA indicated that saporin sequences comprised a small multigene family. Three independent saporin containing genomic clones were isolated from a Saponaria genomic library. Two clones were truncated whilst the third contained a complete saporin coding sequence. The saporin and ricin coding sequences were expressed in vitro and shown to inhibit protein synthesis. Aniline cleavage assays of ribosomal RNA extracted from ribosomes exposed to the products of the RIP coding sequences were carried out. These indicated that the polypeptides encoded by the RIP gene sequences had specific RNA N-glycosidase activity.

Pan, Wenliang. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2013. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 138-163). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Abstract also in Chinese.

核糖體抑活蛋白 (RIPs) 屬於糖苷酶的一種，能從23S或28S核糖體核糖核酸中的sarcin-ricin環(sarcin-ricin loop, SRL)移除一個特定的腺嘌呤，引致核糖體失效。由於核糖體蛋白協助RIP到達SRL，因此它們對RIP的核糖體特認性是極大的重要。雖然各RIPs的份子結構及催化活動非常相似，它們的核糖體特認性和效力存著很大的迥異。此外，現時還未能找出只有少數RIPs能同時抑制原核和真核生物的核糖體的原因。我們試圖從玉米核糖體抑活蛋白 (Maize RIP) 和真核生物的核糖體以及志賀毒素 (Shiga toxin) 和原核生物的核糖體的相互作用的研究中去解釋以上的現象。 / 我們發現Maize RIP提供一個前所未見的區域與核糖體蛋白P2結合，並展示RIPs的結構大大限制了它們與核糖體蛋白的相互作用的性質和強度，從而影響RIPs在核糖體上的效力。另外，我們發現志賀毒素跟細菌的核糖體的相互作用比跟真核生物核糖體的相互作用弱，並可能跟細菌核糖體蛋白L7/L10有交聯。我們在蓖麻毒蛋白 (Ricin) 的碳端 (C-terminus) 加上人類免疫缺陷病毒-(HIV-1) 蛋白酶特認的肽以增加 ricin 對HIV-1蛋白酶的特認性，並希望此研究結果有助於應用相類的策略到其他RIPs上。 / Ribosome-inactivating proteins (RIPs) are N-glycosidases that inactivate ribosome by removing a specific adenine from the sarcin-ricin loop (SRL) of 23S or 28S ribosomal RNA. Ribosomal proteins are critical for determining the ribosome specificity of RIPs as they assist RIPs to get access to the SRL. Ribosome specificity and potency of RIPs are highly varied although their tertiary structures and catalytic depurination are highly alike. Moreover, it is still unsolved why only a few RIPs acquiring the ability to inhibit both prokaryotic and eukaryotic ribosomes. We attempted to elucidate the phenomena by investigating the interactions of maize RIP with eukaryotic ribosome and shiga toxin with prokaryotic ribosome. / Here we showed maize RIP presents a novel docking site to interact with ribosomal protein P2 and demonstrated the structure of RIPs imposes a large constraint on the nature and strength of the interaction with ribosomal protein which in turn affect the potency of RIPs on the ribosome. Shiga toxin was found to interact with prokaryotic ribosome weaker than the eukaryotic ribosome and crosslinked to the bacterial ribosomal protein L7/L10. Additionally, we increased the HIV-1 specificity of ricin A chain by incorporating the HIV-1 protease specific peptide to the C-terminus of the toxin and hope our findings would help to extend similar scheme to other RIPs in the future. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Wong, Yuen-Ting. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2012. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 146-159). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Abstract also in Chinese. / Acknowledgements --- p.i / Abstract --- p.ii / 摘要 --- p.iii / Table of Contents --- p. iv - viii / Chapter Chapter One --- Introduction of ribosome-inactivating proteins / Chapter 1.1 --- Nomenclature and distribution of ribosome-inactivating proteins --- p.1 / Chapter 1.2 --- Enzymatic activity of ribosome-inactivating proteins and their biological role --- p.2 / Chapter 1.3 --- Structure and catalytic centre of ribosome-inactivating proteins --- p.3 / Chapter 1.4 --- Ribosome specificity of RIPs and their interaction with ribosome --- p.5 / Chapter 1.5 --- Cytotoxicity and antiviral activity of ribosome-inactivating proteins --- p.6 / Chapter 1.6 --- Antiviral activity of RIPs --- p.9 / Chapter 1.7 --- Cellular trafficking of ribosome-inactivating proteins --- p.10 / Chapter 1.8 --- Application and therapeutic use of ribosome-inactivating proteins --- p.10 / Chapter 1.9 --- Evolution of RIPs --- p.11 / Chapter 1.10 --- Other activities of RIPs --- p.12 / Chapter Chapter Two --- Characterization of the interaction between RIPs and rat liver ribosome and its correlation with the potency of RIPs / Chapter 2.1 --- Introduction --- p.12 / Chapter 2.1.1 --- Nature of interaction between RIPs and eukaryotic ribosome --- p.12 / Chapter 2.1.2 --- RIPs interact with specific ribosomal proteins --- p.15 / Chapter 2.1.3 --- RIPs demonstrate different specificity towards ribosomes --- p.16 / Chapter 2.1.4 --- Introduction of maize RIP --- p.20 / Chapter 2.1.5 --- Interaction between maize RIP and ribosome --- p.22 / Chapter 2.2 --- Objectives and significance --- p.22 / Chapter 2.3 --- Materials and Methods / Chapter 2.3.1 --- Cloning and site-directed mutagenesis of RIPs --- p.23 / Chapter 2.3.2 --- Protein expression and purification --- p.23-26 / Chapter 2.3.2.1 --- Maize RIP and variants / Chapter 2.3.2.2 --- His-myc-MOD and His-MOD / Chapter 2.3.2.3 --- Trichosanthin (TCS) / Chapter 2.3.2.4 --- Shiga toxin chain A [E167AE170A] (StxA) / Chapter 2.3.2.5 --- Ricin chain A (RTA) / Chapter 2.3.2.6 --- Pokeweed antiviral protein (PAP) / Chapter 2.3.2.7 --- C-terminal His-tagged MOD, TCS and RTA / Chapter 2.3.2.8 --- His-SUMO-protease / Chapter 2.3.2.9 --- P2 and its variants / Chapter 2.3.2.10 --- Protein concentration and storage / Chapter 2.3.3 --- Purification of rat liver ribosome --- p.26 / Chapter 2.3.4 --- In vitro pull-down assay with ribosome --- p.27 / Chapter 2.3.5 --- On-resin crosslinking and mass spectrometry --- p.27 / Chapter 2.3.6 --- Crosslinking assay and western blotting --- p.28 / Chapter 2.3.7 --- In vitro pull-down assay with P2 --- p.29 / Chapter 2.3.8 --- In vitro pull-down assay with P2 and its variants --- p.29 / Chapter 2.3.9 --- Surface Plasmon Resonance --- p.29 / Chapter 2.3.10 --- N-glycosidase activity assay and quantitative PCR --- p.30 / Chapter 2.3.11 --- Cytotoxicity on 293T --- p.31 / Chapter 2.3.12 --- Cellular uptake of RIPs and western blotting --- p.32 / Chapter 2.4 --- Results / Chapter 2.4.1 --- In vitro pull-down assay with ribosome --- p.32 / Chapter 2.4.2 --- On-resin crosslinking and mass spectrometry of crosslinked proteins --- p.37 / Chapter 2.4.3 --- Crosslinking assay and western blotting --- p.40 / Chapter 2.4.4 --- In vitro pull-down assay with P2 --- p.43 / Chapter 2.4.5 --- Sensorgram of binding between P2 and Maize RIP variants --- p.44 / Chapter 2.4.6 --- N-glycosidase activity of maize RIP variants --- p.45 / Chapter 2.4.7 --- Cytotoxicity of maize RIP variants --- p.48 / Chapter 2.4.8 --- In vitro pull-down assay with P2 and its variants --- p.49 / Chapter 2.4.9 --- Surface Plasmon Resonance of P2 and various RIPs --- p.52 / Chapter 2.4.10 --- N-glycosidase activity assay and quantitative PCR --- p.55 / Chapter 2.4.11 --- Cytotoxicity of RIPs to 293T --- p.57 / Chapter 2.5 --- Discussion --- p.59 / Chapter 2.6 --- Conclusion --- p.72 / Chapter Chapter Three --- Identifying prokaryotic ribosomal protein(s) interacting with shiga toxin / Chapter 3.1 --- Introduction / Chapter 3.1.1 --- Background of shiga toxin --- p.74 / Chapter 3.1.2 --- Trafficking and activation of shiga toxin --- p.75 / Chapter 3.1.3 --- Intoxication by Shiga toxin --- p.76 / Chapter 3.1.4 --- Dual specificity on ribosome --- p.77 / Chapter 3.2 --- Objectives and significance --- p.78 / Chapter 3.3 --- Materials and methods / Chapter 3.3.1 --- Cloning of Shiga toxin and ribosomal proteins --- p.79 / Chapter 3.3.2 --- Expression and purification --- p.79-80 / Chapter 3.3.2.1 --- His-SUMO StxA, His-StxA, and His-StxA [E167Q] / Chapter 3.3.2.2 --- Ribosomal proteins / Chapter 3.3.3 --- Isolation of E. coli ribosome and rat liver ribosome --- p.80 / Chapter 3.3.4 --- Pull-down assay of prokaryotic and eukaryotic ribosome --- p.81 / Chapter 3.3.5 --- Size-exclusion chromatography of RIPs and prokaryotic ribosome --- p.81 / Chapter 3.3.6 --- Pull-down assay of StxA with HepG2 and C41 lysate --- p.82 / Chapter 3.3.7 --- Two-dimensional electrophoresis --- p.82 / Chapter 3.3.8 --- Mass spectrometric analysis of pull-down assay --- p.83 / Chapter 3.3.9 --- Crosslinking of StxA with r-proteins --- p.84 / Chapter 3.4 --- Results / Chapter 3.4.1 --- Cloning of wild-type shiga toxin --- p.84 / Chapter 3.4.2 --- Pull-down with prokaryotic and eukaryotic ribosome --- p.85 / Chapter 3.4.3 --- Size-exclusion chromatography of RIPs and prokaryotic ribosome --- p.88 / Chapter 3.3.4 --- Pull-down assay of StxA with HepG2 and C41 lysates --- p.90 / Chapter 3.4.5 --- Crosslinking of StxA with r-proteins --- p.97 / Chapter 3.5 --- Discussion and conclusion --- p.99 / Chapter Chapter Four --- Engineering ricin A chain for increasing its specificity toward Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) / Chapter 4.1 --- Introduction --- p.104 / Chapter 4.1.1 --- Human immunodeficiency virus --- p.104 / Chapter 4.1.2 --- Current drugs for HIV --- p.105 / Chapter 4.1.3 --- Anti-HIV mechanism of RIPs --- p.105 / Chapter 4.1.4 --- Engineering cytotoxic protein into HIV-1 specific toxin --- p.107 / Chapter 4.2 --- Objectives and significance --- p.109 / Chapter 4.3 --- Materials and methods / Chapter 4.3.1 --- Design and cloning of RTA HIV-1 specific variants --- p.109 / Chapter 4.3.2 --- Cloning, expression and purification of ricin variants --- p.112 / Chapter 4.3.3 --- Purification of HIV-1 protease --- p.112 / Chapter 4.3.4 --- HIV-1 protease induced cleavage of RTA variants --- p.113 / Chapter 4.3.5 --- Cytotoxicity on 293T and JAR --- p.114 / Chapter 4.4 --- Results / Chapter 4.4.1 --- Purity check of RTA variants --- p.114 / Chapter 4.4.2 --- HIV-1 protease induced cleavage of RTA variants --- p.115 / Chapter 4.4.3 --- Cytotoxicity on 293T and JAR --- p.119 / Chapter 4.5 --- Discussion --- p.124 / Chapter 4.6 --- Conclusion --- p.126 / Concluding remarks and future prospect --- p.127 / Appendices / Appendix 1 --- p.128 - 132 / Appendix 2 --- p.133 - 134 / Appendix 3 --- p.135 - 138 / Appendix 4 --- p.139 - 145 / Bibliography --- p.146 - 159

In the future, the 25 as internal loop region of Pro-RIP can be modified for the optimized recognition of proteases of other HIV strains. This approach opens a new opportunity for the anti-HIV application of maize RIP and other related type III RIPs. A modified maize RIP may also be applied to target other viruses and pathogens, for examples, hepatitis C and malaria, which are dependent on pathogen-encoded proteases for replication. / In this study, we provide an account on the generation of HIV-1 protease-sensitive maize RIP variants by first incorporating the HIV-1 protease recognition sequences to the internal inactivation region of the Pro-RIP. Among the five variants, three variants were cleaved and activated by HIV-1 protease in vitro and in vivo, resulting in an active two-chain form with N-glycosidase activity comparable to the fully active maize RIP. In addition, the variants inhibited viral replication in human T lymphocytes (C8166) infected by two T-tropic HIV-1 strains, HIV-1IIIB and HIV-1 RF/V82F/I84V, and their cytotoxicity towards uninfected cells was similar to the non-activated precursor (TAT-Pro). In comparison to TAT-Pro, variants TAT-Pro-HIV-MA/CA and Pro-TAT-Pro-HIV-p2/NC had 2- to 70-fold increase in the inhibition of p24 antigen production in the HIV-infected cells with low cytotoxicity towards uninfected C8166 cells. / Maize RIP is classified as a type III RIP. It is synthesized in the endosperm of maize as an inactive precursor (Pro-RIP), which contains a 25-amino acid internal inactivation region. During germination, a two-chain activated form (MOD) is generated by endogenous proteolysis of the internal inactivation region, whereas the two chains (16.5 and 8.5 kDa) are tightly associated without disulfide linkage. Our group has solved the crystal structures of both the Pro-RIP and MOD and found that this internal inactivation region is on the surface of the N-terminal domain in Pro-RIP . The removal of this internal inactivation region increases the inhibition of protein synthesis of rabbit reticulocyte lysate by over 600 folds. The presence of the internal inactivation region has led us to derive a novel strategy to enhance the specificity of maize RIP towards HIV-infected cells while minimizing its cytotoxic effect on normal cells. / Ribosome-inactivating proteins (RIPs) are RNA N-glycosidases which cleave the N-glycosidic bond of adenine-4324 at the alpha-sarcin/ricin (SR) loop of 28S rRNA. The depurination of the SR loop results in the inhibition of protein synthesis by impairing the binding of EF-1 or EF-2 to ribosomes. RIPs are therefore highly cytotoxic and have been used as abortificiant, anti-cancer and anti-HIV agents, either alone or as a component of immunotoxins. Many type I and II RIPs, such as MAP30, GAP30, DAP30, pokeweed antiviral protein (PAP) and ricin, have been reported to possess anti-HIV activity by inhibiting viral replication in vitro and in vivo though the anti-HIV mechanism is still unclear. / Law, Ka Yee. / Adviser: Pang-Chui Shaw. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 72-04, Section: B, page: . / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2010. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 124-144). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Electronic reproduction. Ann Arbor, MI : ProQuest Information and Learning Company, [200-] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Abstract also in Chinese.

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.

Thesis (MSc)--University of Stellenbosch, 2000. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Ribosome inactivating proteins (RIPs) are potent toxins produced by a wide range of evolutionarily diverse plants. These toxins cause cell death by physically dismantling ribosomal RNA and shutting down protein synthesis. They also have a strong antiviral activity. Some believe that the antiviral property of RIPs is a function of ribosomal inactivation, others believe that the two properties are unrelated. RIPs are non-specific in their antiviral activity. Transgenic RIPexpressing plants are resistant to a wide spectrum of viruses. Many different viruses threaten grapevine. It is not practical to design individual remedies for each of these viruses. In this study, we screen the grapevine genome for the presence of a RIP gene using degenerate PCR primers. If a RIP gene does exist in grapevine, it is not being expressed in a useful way. We also clone several well-documented RIP genes from various plants into pGEM-T Easy: dianthin from Dianthus caryophyllus; p-Iuffin from Luffa octandra and mirabilis antiviral protein (MAP) from Mirabilis jalapa. These isolated genes are then subcloned into a selection of expression vectors: dianthin into pKK223-3, a bacterial expression vector; p-Iuffin into pCambia3301, a plant expression vector; and MAP into pFLAG, a yeast expression vector. The constructs prepared in this project may be used for the synthesis of RIP molecules. The exogenous application of RIPs has been shown to protect plants from viruses. Transformation of grapevine with the RIP-containing plant expression vector may result in a variety of vine that is resistant to a wide range viruses. This thesis describes preliminary work in an attempt to impart broad-spectrum antiviral resistance to grapevine. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Ribosomale-inaktiverende proteïne (RIPs) is kragtige toksienes wat deur 'n wye verskeidenheid evolusionêr diverse plante verskaf word. Hierdie toksienes veroorsaak die dood van die selle deur fisies die ribosomale RNA af te breek en proteïensintese stop te sit. Hulle toon ook 'n sterk antivirale aktiwiteit. Sommige voel dat die antivirale eienskap van RIPs 'n funksie van ribosomale inaktivering is, terwyl ander glo dat die twee eienskappe onafhanklik optree. RIPs is in hul antivirale aktiwiteit onspesifiek. Transgeniese RIP-weergewende plante toon weerstand teen 'n wye spektrum virusse. Wingerd word deur baie verskillende virusse aangeval. Dit is onprakties om spesifieke teenmiddels vir elk van die virusse te ontwerp. In hierdie studie word die wingerdgenoom vir die voorkoms van 'n RIP-geen ondersoek, deur die gebruik van degeneratiewe PKR primers. As daar wel 'n RIP-geen in wingerd voorkom, word dit nie in 'n nuttige manier uitgedruk nie. Ons het ook 'n groep goedgedokumentêre RIP-gene vanuit verskeie plante in pGEM- T Easy gekloneer: dianthin vanuit Dianthus caryophyllus; p-Iuffin vanuit Luffa octandra; en mirabilis antivirale proteïen (MAP) vanuit Mirabilis jalapa. Hierdie geïsoleerde gene is toe in verskeie uitdrukkingsvektore gesubkloneer: dianthin in pKK223-3, 'n bakterïele uitdrukkingsvektor; p-Iuffin in pCambia3301, 'n plant uitdrukkingsvektor; en MAP in pFLAG, 'n gis uitdrukkingsvektor. Die constructs wat in hierdie projek voorberei is, kan gebruik word vir die sintese van RIP molekules. Dit is gevind dat die eksogeniese toepassing van RIPs plante teen virus-infeksie beskerm. Die transformasie van wingerd met die RIP-bevattende plant ekspressievektor kan 'n wingerd wat teen 'n wye verskeidenheid virusse bestand is tot stand bring. Hierdie tesis beskryf die voorlopige werk in 'n poging om breë-spektrum antivirale weerstand in wingerd deelagtig te maak.

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.

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.

Abrin is a potent toxin obtained from the seeds of Abrus precatorius. It is a heterodimeric glycoprotein consisting of an A and a B subunit linked together by a disulfide bond. The toxicity of the protein comes from the A subunit harboring RNA-N-glycosidase activity which cleaves the glycosidic bond between the ribose sugar and the adenine at position 4324 in 28S rRNA. The depurination of a specific adenine residue at position 4324 results in loss of conformation of the 28S rRNA at the α sarcin/ricin loop to which elongation factor-2 (EF-2) binds, during the transloction step of translation, leading to inhibition of protein synthesis. The B subunit of abrin is a galactose specific lectin. The lectin activity enables the toxin to gain entry inside cells on binding to receptors with terminal galactose. After entering cells, a few molecules of abrin reach the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) via the retrograde transport, where the disulfide bond between the A and the B subunits gets cleaved. Then the A chain escapes into the cytosol where it binds to its target, the α-sarcin loop of the 28S ribosomal RNA and inhibits protein synthesis. Apart from inhibition of protein synthesis, exposure of cells to abrin leads to the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) resulting in the activation of caspases and finally apoptosis. However, whether apoptosis is dependent on the inhibition of protein synthesis has not been elucidated. The major objectives of this study are therefore to delineate the signaling pathways involved in abrin-induced apoptosis. The thesis is divided into 4 Chapters: Chapter 1. provides a overview of the general properties of RIPs, with a brief history, classification, trafficking and biological activities of the toxins. This chapter also discusses their potential use in bio-warfare and the treatments available for management of toxicity. Chapter 2 and 3 discuss the results obtained on studies aimed at gaining insights into the signaling pathways involved in abrin-induced apoptosis. Chapter 4 focuses on the research carried out to understand the mechanisms of neutralization of abrin by the mAb D6F10. Towards the first objective, chapter 2 elucidates the role of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress signaling in abrin-induced apoptosis using the human T-cell line, Jurkat as a model system. It could be concluded that the inhibition of protein synthesis by the catalytic A subunit of abrin could result in accumulation of unfolded proteins in the ER leading to ER stress which triggers the unfolded protein response (UPR) pathway. The ER resident trans-membrane sensors IRE1 (Inositol-requiring enzyme 1), PERK (PKR-like ER kinase) and ATF6 (Activating transcription factor 6) are the important players of UPR in mammalian cells. These sensors inhibit translation and increase the levels of chaperones to restore protein homeostasis. However, if the ER stress is prolonged, apoptotic pathways get activated to remove severely damaged cells in which protein folding defects cannot be resolved. Recent studies have shown that endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress induces apoptosis by activating initiater caspases such as caspase-2 and -8 which eventually trigger mitochondrial membrane potential loss and activation of downstream effector capases-9 and -3. Phosphorylation of eukaryotic initiation factor 2α and upregulation of CHOP [CAAT/enhancer binding protein (C/EBP) homologous protein], important players involved in ER stress signaling by abrin, suggested activation of ER stress in the cells. ER stress is also known to induce apoptosis via stress kinases such as p38 MAPK and JNK. Activation of both the pathways was observed upon abrin treatment and found to be upstream of the activation of caspases. However, abrin-induced apoptosis was found be dependent on p38 MAPK but not JNK. We also observed that abrin induced activation of caspase-2 and caspase-8 and triggered Bid cleavage leading to mitochondrial membrane potential loss and thus connecting the signaling events from ER stress to mitochondrial death machinery. Few toxins belonging to the family of ribosome inactivating proteins such as Shiga toxin have been observed to induce DNA damage in human endothelial cells and activate p53/ATM-dependent signaling pathway in mammalian cells. To further investigate the role of abrin on activation of DNA damage signaling pathway, we analysed the phosphorylation of H2AX and ATM, which are markers for double strand DNA breaks. We observed phosphorylation of H2AX and ATM upon abrin treatment but not when cells were pretreated with the broad spectrum pan caspase inhibitor. This study suggested that the DNA damage observed was an indirect effect of caspase-activated DNase. We concluded from the studies in chapter 2 that inhibition of protein synthesis by abrin can trigger endoplasmic reticulum stress leading to mitochondria-mediated apoptosis. Further studies were conducted to understand the dependence of ER stress on inhibition of protein synthesis and are presented in chapter 3. For this study, we have used an active site mutant of abrin A chain (R167L) which exhibits lower protein synthesis inhibitory activity than the wild type abrin A chain. Recombinant wild type and mutant abrin A chains were expressed in E.coli and purified. Since, abrin A chain requires the B chain for internalization into cells, both wild type and mutant abrin A chains were conjugated to native ricin B chain to generate a hybrid toxin. Next, we have compared the toxic effects of the two conjugates in cells. The rate of inhibition of protein synthesis mediated by the mutant ricin B-rABRA (R167L) conjugate was slower than that of the wild type ricin B-rABRA conjugate but it could trigger ER stress leading to mitochondrial mediated apoptosis in cells though delayed, suggesting that inhibition of protein synthesis is the major factor contributing to abrin-mediated apoptosis. Abrin is extremely lethal and considered as a potential agent for use in biological warfare. Currently, there are no antidotes or effective therapies available for abrin poisoning. Antibody based antitoxins function by either preventing toxin binding to cell surface receptors or by translocation. Antibodies against the B chain of RIPs function by inhibiting the binding of B chain of the toxin to cells, whereas the exact mechanism by which antibodies against A chain function is still not clear. The only known neutralizing monoclonal antibody against abrin A chain, namely, D6F10, was generated in our laboratory and was shown to rescue cells and mice from abrin intoxication. Earlier experiments with confocal microscopy suggested that mAb D6F10 could internalize in HeLa cells along with abrin, suggesting that the antibody can function intracellularly. Chapter 4 discusses the work carried out to delineate the mechanism of intracellular neutralization of abrin by the mAb D6F10. We observed significant reduction in binding and delay in abrin internalization in the presence of the neutralizing monoclonal antibody (mAb) D6F10. Considering that the majority of the abrin after internalization is removed by lysosomal degradation, we studied the fate of abrin in the presence of mAb D6F10. Confocal images did not show any difference in the distribution of abrin in the lysosomes in the absence or presence of antibody. However, the antibody remained persistently colocalized with abrin in the cells, suggesting that the antibody might inhibit enzymatic activity of abrin at its cellular site of action.

Pulchellina é uma proteína inativadora de ribossomo (RIP) isolada de sementes de Abrus pulchellus fragmento que codifica a cadeia A da pulchellina (PAC) foi clonado e inserido no vetor pGEX-5X para expressar a cadeia A recombinante (rPAC) como uma proteína de fusão em Escherichia coli. A análise da seqüência de aminoácidos mostrou que a rPAC apresenta uma alta identidade seqüencial (&#62 86%) com a cadeia A da abrina-c. A habilidade que a rPAC possui para depurinar rRNA em ribossomos de levedura também foi demonstrada em testes in vitro. Objetivando verificar a atividade tóxica do produto heterólogo, nós promovemos a associação in vitro da rPAC com a cadeia B recombinante da pulchellina (rPBC). Ambas as cadeias foram incubadas na presença de um sistema de redução/oxidação, originando um heterodímero ativo (rPAB). O rPAB apresentou uma massa molecular aparente de aproximadamente 60 kDa, similar a pulchellina nativa. As atividades tóxicas do rPAB e da pulchellina nativa foram comparadas através da injeção intraperitonial em camundongos, usando diferentes diluições de cada proteína. O rPAB foi capaz de matar 50% dos animais testados com doses de 45&#956g.kg-1. Nossos resultados mostraram que o heterodímero recombinante apresenta tanto toxicidade quanto um padrão conformacional similar a pulchellina nativa. Estudos usando cultura de tecidos também foram realizados com o objetivo de investigar a presença da pulchellina em calos obtidos a partir de sementes de A. pulchellus. Segmentos de cotilédones de sementes imaturas foram inoculados em meio MS suplementado com diferentes concentrações de auxina, citocinina e sacarose para promover a indução dos calos. A expressão da pulchellina nos calos foi monitorada através de RT-PCR e testes de atividade biológica. Os calos obtidos após 35 dias foram congelados, macerados e submetidos a extração de RNA total e proteínas. Um fragmento específico de DNA que codifica a cadeia A da pulchellina foi amplificado a partir do RNA total sugerindo a síntese da proteína nos calos. Isto foi confirmado no extrato bruto de calos, que mostrou atividade hemaglutinante contra sangue de coelho e uma alta toxicidade quando injetado via intraperitoneal em camundongos.O extrato bruto também foi submetido à cromatografia de afinidade em coluna de Sepharose-4B. A fração retida na coluna apresentou duas bandas protéicas quando analisadas em gel de poliacrinamida, sob condições desnaturantes, apresentando um padrão similar ao obtido com a pulchellina de semente. / Pulchellin is a type 2 ribosome-inactivating protein (RIP) isolated from seeds of the Abrus pulchellus tenuiflorus plant. The DNA fiagment encoding Pulchellin A-chain (PAC) was cloned and inserted in pGEX-5X to express the recombinant pulchellin Achain (rPAC) as a fusion protein in Escherichin coli. The deduced amino acid sequence analyses of the rPAC presented a high sequential identity (&#62 86%) with the A-chain of abrin-c. The ability of the rPAC to depurinate rRNA in yeast ribosome was also demonstrated in vitro. Intending to validate the toxic activity we promoted the in vitro association of the rPAC with the recombinant pulchellin binding chain (rPBC). Both chains were incubated in the presence of a reducedloxidized system, yielding an active heterodimer (rPAB). The rPAB showed an apparent molecular mass of about 60 D a similar to the native pulchellin. The toxic activities of the rPAB and native pulchellin were compared by intraperitoneal injection in mice using different dilutions. The rPAB was able to kill 50% of the tested mice with doses of 45&#956g.kg-1. Our results indicated that the recombinant heterodimer presented toxic activity and a conformational pattern similar to pulchellin. Studies using tissue cultures were also performed to investigate the presence of the pulchellin in callus established from seed explants of A. pulchellus. Cotyledon segments of immature seeds were inoculated in basal medium MS supplemented with different concentrations of auxin, citokinin and sucrose in order to determine the best callus induction. The pulchellin expression was monitored in callus cultures by RT-PCR and biological activity. The calli obtained aRer 35 days were freeze dried, macerated and submitted to extraction of total RNA and proteins. A specific DNA fragment codifying the A-chain pulchellin was amplified from callus RNA suggesting the synthesis of the protein. This was confirmed in the calli crude extract that showed haemagglutinating activity against rabbit blood cells and a high intraperitoneal toxicity to mice. The crude extract was also submitted to affinity chromatography on a Sepharose-4B column. The retained protein, showed to be composed by two main bands in polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, in denaturating conditions, with a similar pattern to the results obtained with seeds pulchellin.