Effects of ribosome inactivating proteins on insect development - differences between Lepidoptera and Coleoptera
1990
Gatehouse, A.M.R. | Barbieri, L. | Stirpe, F. | Croy, R.R.D.
Ricin and saporin represent two different classes of ribosome inactivating proteins (RIPs), or cytotoxins, present in plant seeds. The toxicity of these substances to several eukaryotic organisms is widely known, as is their intracellular mode of inhibitory action on the ribosomes. However virtually nothing is known of the effects of these substances on insects. In this paper we report on systematic studies which indicate that RIPs can be extremely toxic to insects although the effects are variable with different insect orders. Specifically, two Coleopteran species were extremely susceptible to the effects of both RIP's with average LD₅₀ values of less than 10⁻²% (dry weight). The studies also indicate that resistance to the toxic effects, exhibited by Lepidopteran insects, may be due in part to the protease complements of the insect guts which are capable of hydrolysing the RIPs, thus eliminating them before they are absorbed and can exert their effects within the insects cells.
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