Characterization of Ricin Heterogeneity by Electrospray Mass Spectrometry, Capillary Electrophoresis, and Resonant Mirror

Electrospray mass spectrometry (ES/MS), capillary-zone electrophoresis (CZE), capillary isoelectric focusing (CIEF), and multianalyte resonant mirror are used to evaluate the heterogeneity of samples of ricin toxins extracted from five horticultural varieties of Ricinus communis seeds: R. communis z...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Analytical biochemistry 2000-03, Vol.279 (1), p.23-36
Main Authors: Despeyroux, D., Walker, N., Pearce, M., Fisher, M., McDonnell, M., Bailey, S.C., Griffiths, G.D., Watts, P.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Biosensing Techniques
capillary isoelectric focusing
capillary-zone electrophoresis
Electrophoresis, Capillary
electrospray mass spectrometry
Glycosylation
Isoelectric Focusing
Mass Spectrometry - methods
Plant Lectins
Plants, Toxic
resonant mirror
Ricin - chemistry
Ricin - isolation & purification
ricin toxin
Ricinus - chemistry
Ricinus communis
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Summary:Electrospray mass spectrometry (ES/MS), capillary-zone electrophoresis (CZE), capillary isoelectric focusing (CIEF), and multianalyte resonant mirror are used to evaluate the heterogeneity of samples of ricin toxins extracted from five horticultural varieties of Ricinus communis seeds: R. communis zanzibariensis, carmencita, impala, sanguineus, and gibsonii. The investigation is also extended to the geographical provenance of the beans. Combining mass spectrometry, CE techniques, and resonant mirror results in a powerful analytical tool capable to characterize and differentiate between different varieties of ricin toxins. Each technique complements the others, adding another level of information. This study reveals a large extent of heterogeneity for each cultivar, demonstrating that ricin toxins consist of a series of glycosylated proteins most likely originating from a multigene family. By combining these techniques, it is possible to differentiate between zanzibariensis and the other four varieties, and that variations in the functional characteristics may be observed between the different cultivars. This study demonstrates that knowledge of the variety of R. communis beans used and their geographical provenance is essential before any type of investigation of ricin toxins is carried out. Consequently, any unusual behavior observed can only be attributed to that particular cultivar studied and not automatically extended to include all R. communis varieties.
ISSN:0003-2697
1096-0309
DOI:10.1006/abio.1999.4423