Small-Molecule Inhibitors of Ricin

Reference #:

2007-294

Inventors/Contributors

Yuan-Ping Pang, Ph.D.

Description

Seeds from the castor bean plant, Ricinus communis, are poisonous to humans, animals, and insects. One of the main toxic proteins from the seeds is "ricin" that can enter the cytosol and inactivate over 1,500 ribosomes per minute; just one milligram of ricin can kill an adult. Antidotes to ricin are currently unavailable. We have made small molecules that inhibit ricin in vitro at nanomolar concentrations. These molecules and their analogs are useful, either separately or in combination or with the aid of nanogels that provide encapsulations for passing through cells, as antidotes to ricin poisoning.

Patent Status

Pending