Ricin toxin (RT) is derived from castor beans, produced by the plant Ricinus communis. RT and its toxic A chain (RTA) have been used therapeutically to arm ligands that target disease-causing cells. In most cases these ligands are cell-binding monoclonal antibodies (MAbs). These ligand-toxin conjugates or immunotoxins (ITs) have shown success in clinical trials [1]. Ricin is also of concern in ...

Lectins are sugar binding proteins and glycoproteins, and are widely distributed from bacteria to humans. Lectins are easily detected by agglutination of erythrocytes, known as hemagglutination. Stillmark first reported in his doctoral thesis that the extract from beans of the castor tree, Ricinus communis, contains lectin by the method of hemagglutination (Stillmark, 1888). Since each lectin b...

Two isoenzymes each of hexose-P isomerase, aldolase and 6-P-gluconate dehydrogenase have been found in the endosperm of developing castor beans (Ricinus communis L.). One isoenzyme for each activity is present in the proplastid fraction. Only one form of glucose-6-P dehydrogenase was found. It is suggested that the partition of an enzyme activity between cytosol and plastid is regulated by the ...

The Sepharose CL-6B column was prepared to separate ricinus communis agglutinin (RCA) from the crude extract of castor beans due to the gel carrier contains a large amount of β-galactoside bond. RCA were immobilized on activated Sepharose 4B to make an immobilized RCA column, which was used to capture the proteins in rabbit plasma by affinity chromatography. Results showed that two polypeptides...

UNLABELLED Bone tissue lesions can be caused by congenital and acquired factors, and result in nasal deformities with cosmetic and functional repercussion. Surgical treatment in these cases frequently requires complex reconstructions and the use of biomaterials. The polyurethane derived from castor beans (Ricinus communis) has a favorable formulation in terms of ease of processing, flexibility,...