1
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Johnston E, Buckley M. Age-Related Changes in Post-Translational Modifications of Proteins from Whole Male and Female Skeletal Elements. Molecules 2023; 28:4899. [PMID: 37446562 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28134899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2023] [Revised: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 06/08/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
One of the key questions in forensic cases relates to some form of age inference, whether this is how old a crime scene is, when in time a particular crime was committed, or how old the victim was at the time of the crime. These age-related estimations are currently achieved through morphological methods with varying degrees of accuracy. As a result, biomolecular approaches are considered of great interest, with the relative abundances of several protein markers already recognized for their potential forensic significance; however, one of the greatest advantages of proteomic investigations over genomics ones is the wide range of post-translational modifications (PTMs) that make for a complex but highly dynamic resource of information. Here, we explore the abundance of several PTMs including the glycosylation, deamidation, and oxidation of several key proteins (collagen, fetuin A, biglycan, serum albumin, fibronectin and osteopontin) as being of potential value to the development of an age estimation tool worthy of further evaluation in forensic contexts. We find that glycosylations lowered into adulthood but deamidation and oxidation increased in the same age range.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth Johnston
- School of Natural Sciences, Manchester Institute of Biotechnology, University of Manchester, 131 Princess Street, Manchester M1 7DN, UK
| | - Michael Buckley
- School of Natural Sciences, Manchester Institute of Biotechnology, University of Manchester, 131 Princess Street, Manchester M1 7DN, UK
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2
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Orsini Delgado ML, Avril A, Prigent J, Dano J, Rouaix A, Worbs S, Dorner BG, Rougeaux C, Becher F, Fenaille F, Livet S, Volland H, Tournier JN, Simon S. Ricin Antibodies' Neutralizing Capacity against Different Ricin Isoforms and Cultivars. Toxins (Basel) 2021; 13:100. [PMID: 33573016 PMCID: PMC7911099 DOI: 10.3390/toxins13020100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2020] [Revised: 01/21/2021] [Accepted: 01/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Ricin, a highly toxic protein from Ricinus communis, is considered a potential biowarfare agent. Despite the many data available, no specific treatment has yet been approved. Due to their ability to provide immediate protection, antibodies (Abs) are an approach of choice. However, their high specificity might compromise their capacity to protect against the different ricin isoforms (D and E) found in the different cultivars. In previous work, we have shown the neutralizing potential of different Abs (43RCA-G1 (anti ricin A-chain) and RB34 and RB37 (anti ricin B-chain)) against ricin D. In this study, we evaluated their protective capacity against both ricin isoforms. We show that: (i) RB34 and RB37 recognize exclusively ricin D, whereas 43RCA-G1 recognizes both isoforms, (ii) their neutralizing capacity in vitro varies depending on the cultivar, and (iii) there is a synergistic effect when combining RB34 and 43RCA-G1. This effect is also demonstrated in vivo in a mouse model of intranasal intoxication with ricin D/E (1:1), where approximately 60% and 40% of mice treated 0 and 6 h after intoxication, respectively, are protected. Our results highlight the importance of evaluating the effectiveness of the Abs against different ricin isoforms to identify the treatment with the broadest spectrum neutralizing effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Lucia Orsini Delgado
- Paris-Saclay University, CEA, INRAE, Medicines and Healthcare Technologies Department (DMTS), SPI, 91191 Gif-sur-Yvette, France; (J.P.); (J.D.); (A.R.); (F.B.); (F.F.); (S.L.); (H.V.)
| | - Arnaud Avril
- Microbiology and Infectious Diseases Department, Anti-Infectious Biotherapies and Immunity Unit, Army Biomedical Research Institute, 91220 Brétigny-sur-Orge, France; (A.A.); (C.R.); (J.-N.T.)
| | - Julie Prigent
- Paris-Saclay University, CEA, INRAE, Medicines and Healthcare Technologies Department (DMTS), SPI, 91191 Gif-sur-Yvette, France; (J.P.); (J.D.); (A.R.); (F.B.); (F.F.); (S.L.); (H.V.)
| | - Julie Dano
- Paris-Saclay University, CEA, INRAE, Medicines and Healthcare Technologies Department (DMTS), SPI, 91191 Gif-sur-Yvette, France; (J.P.); (J.D.); (A.R.); (F.B.); (F.F.); (S.L.); (H.V.)
| | - Audrey Rouaix
- Paris-Saclay University, CEA, INRAE, Medicines and Healthcare Technologies Department (DMTS), SPI, 91191 Gif-sur-Yvette, France; (J.P.); (J.D.); (A.R.); (F.B.); (F.F.); (S.L.); (H.V.)
| | - Sylvia Worbs
- Biological Toxins, Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens, Robert Koch Institute (RKI), 13353 Berlin, Germany; (S.W.); (B.G.D.)
| | - Brigitte G. Dorner
- Biological Toxins, Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens, Robert Koch Institute (RKI), 13353 Berlin, Germany; (S.W.); (B.G.D.)
| | - Clémence Rougeaux
- Microbiology and Infectious Diseases Department, Anti-Infectious Biotherapies and Immunity Unit, Army Biomedical Research Institute, 91220 Brétigny-sur-Orge, France; (A.A.); (C.R.); (J.-N.T.)
| | - François Becher
- Paris-Saclay University, CEA, INRAE, Medicines and Healthcare Technologies Department (DMTS), SPI, 91191 Gif-sur-Yvette, France; (J.P.); (J.D.); (A.R.); (F.B.); (F.F.); (S.L.); (H.V.)
| | - François Fenaille
- Paris-Saclay University, CEA, INRAE, Medicines and Healthcare Technologies Department (DMTS), SPI, 91191 Gif-sur-Yvette, France; (J.P.); (J.D.); (A.R.); (F.B.); (F.F.); (S.L.); (H.V.)
| | - Sandrine Livet
- Paris-Saclay University, CEA, INRAE, Medicines and Healthcare Technologies Department (DMTS), SPI, 91191 Gif-sur-Yvette, France; (J.P.); (J.D.); (A.R.); (F.B.); (F.F.); (S.L.); (H.V.)
| | - Hervé Volland
- Paris-Saclay University, CEA, INRAE, Medicines and Healthcare Technologies Department (DMTS), SPI, 91191 Gif-sur-Yvette, France; (J.P.); (J.D.); (A.R.); (F.B.); (F.F.); (S.L.); (H.V.)
| | - Jean-Nicolas Tournier
- Microbiology and Infectious Diseases Department, Anti-Infectious Biotherapies and Immunity Unit, Army Biomedical Research Institute, 91220 Brétigny-sur-Orge, France; (A.A.); (C.R.); (J.-N.T.)
| | - Stéphanie Simon
- Paris-Saclay University, CEA, INRAE, Medicines and Healthcare Technologies Department (DMTS), SPI, 91191 Gif-sur-Yvette, France; (J.P.); (J.D.); (A.R.); (F.B.); (F.F.); (S.L.); (H.V.)
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3
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Feldberg L, Elhanany E, Laskar O, Schuster O. Rapid, Sensitive and Reliable Ricin Identification in Serum Samples Using LC-MS/MS. Toxins (Basel) 2021; 13:79. [PMID: 33499033 PMCID: PMC7911523 DOI: 10.3390/toxins13020079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2020] [Revised: 01/11/2021] [Accepted: 01/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Ricin, a protein derived from the seeds of the castor bean plant (Ricinus communis), is a highly lethal toxin that inhibits protein synthesis, resulting in cell death. The widespread availability of ricin, its ease of extraction and its extreme toxicity make it an ideal agent for bioterrorism and self-poisoning. Thus, a rapid, sensitive and reliable method for ricin identification in clinical samples is required for applying appropriate and timely medical intervention. However, this goal is challenging due to the low predicted toxin concentrations in bio-fluids, accompanied by significantly high matrix interferences. Here we report the applicability of a sensitive, selective, rapid, simple and antibody-independent assay for the identification of ricin in body fluids using mass spectrometry (MS). The assay involves lectin affinity capturing of ricin by easy-to-use commercial lactose-agarose (LA) beads, following by tryptic digestion and selected marker identification using targeted LC-MS/MS (Multiple Reaction Monitoring) analysis. This enables ricin identification down to 5 ng/mL in serum samples in 2.5 h. To validate the assay, twenty-four diverse naive- or ricin-spiked serum samples were evaluated, and both precision and accuracy were determined. A real-life test of the assay was successfully executed in a challenging clinical scenario, where the toxin was identified in an abdominal fluid sample taken 72 h post self-injection of castor beans extraction in an eventual suicide case. This demonstrates both the high sensitivity of this assay and the extended identification time window, compared to similar events that were previously documented. This method developed for ricin identification in clinical samples has the potential to be applied to the identification of other lectin toxins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liron Feldberg
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness Ziona 74100, Israel
| | - Eytan Elhanany
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness Ziona 74100, Israel;
| | - Orly Laskar
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness Ziona 74100, Israel;
| | - Ofir Schuster
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness Ziona 74100, Israel;
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4
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Feldberg L, Schuster O, Elhanany E, Laskar O, Yitzhaki S, Gura S. Rapid and sensitive identification of ricin in environmental samples based on lactamyl agarose beads using LC-MS/MS (MRM). JOURNAL OF MASS SPECTROMETRY : JMS 2020; 55:e4482. [PMID: 31782217 DOI: 10.1002/jms.4482] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2019] [Revised: 11/16/2019] [Accepted: 11/22/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Ricin, a plant-derived toxin extracted from the seeds of Ricinus communis (castor bean plant), is one of the most toxic proteins known. Ricin's high toxicity, widespread availability, and ease of its extraction make it a potential agent for bioterrorist attacks. Most ricin detection methods are based on immunoassays. These methods may suffer from low efficiency in matrices containing interfering substances, or from false positive results due to antibody cross reactivity, with highly homologous proteins. In this study, we have developed a simple, rapid, sensitive, and selective mass spectrometry assay, for the identification of ricin in complex environmental samples. This assay involves three main stages: (a) Ricin affinity capture by commercial lactamyl-agarose (LA) beads. (b) Tryptic digestion. (c) LC-MS/MS (MRM) analysis of tryptic fragments. The assay was validated using 60 diverse environmental samples such as soil, asphalt, and vegetation, taken from various geographic regions. The assay's selectivity was established in the presence of high concentrations of competing lectin interferences. Based on our findings, we have defined strict criteria for unambiguous identification of ricin. Our novel method, which combines affinity capture beads followed by MRM-based analysis, enabled the identification of 1 ppb ricin spiked into complex environmental matrices. This methodology has the potential to be extended for the identification of ricin in body fluids from individuals exposed (deliberately or accidentally) to the toxin, contaminated food or for the detection of the entire family of RIP-II toxins, by applying multiplex format.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liron Feldberg
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness Ziona, Israel
| | - Ofir Schuster
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness Ziona, Israel
| | - Eytan Elhanany
- Department of Biochemistry, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness Ziona, Israel
| | - Orly Laskar
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness Ziona, Israel
| | - Shmuel Yitzhaki
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness Ziona, Israel
| | - Sigalit Gura
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness Ziona, Israel
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5
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Swiner DJ, Durisek GR, Osae H, Badu-Tawiah A. A Proof-of-Concept, Two-Tiered Approach for Ricin Detection Using Ambient Mass Spectrometry. RSC Adv 2020; 10:17045-17049. [PMID: 35173958 PMCID: PMC8846442 DOI: 10.1039/d0ra03317k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Ricin is a naturally occurring, highly potent toxin native to castor bean plants that has recently been used as a biological weapon in cases of bioterrorism and suicide attempts. Difficulties with direct detection arise from large heterogeneities in ricin glycosylation, which leads to markedly different bioactivity, and the fact that carefully developed and laborious sample preparation steps are required to maintain the activity of the protein during analysis. Herein, we present an alternative, two-tiered approach to identify the presence of ricin by detecting ricinoleic acid and ricinine, which are co-extracted with the protein. This direct mass spectrometric-based technique takes as little as 2 minutes, and we determined its sensitivity to be in the parts-per-trillion range. Our method is applicable to paper substrates from suspected contaminated envelopes and biofluids from at-risk patients. The fact that prior sample preparations are not needed in this procedure means that analysis can be performed in the field for emergency cases. Ricin is a naturally occurring, highly potent toxin native to castor bean plants that has recently been used as a biological weapon in cases of bioterrorism and suicide attempts.![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Devin J Swiner
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The Ohio State University, 100 W 18th Ave, Columbus, OH 43210
| | - George R Durisek
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The Ohio State University, 100 W 18th Ave, Columbus, OH 43210
| | - Hannah Osae
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The Ohio State University, 100 W 18th Ave, Columbus, OH 43210
| | - Abraham Badu-Tawiah
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The Ohio State University, 100 W 18th Ave, Columbus, OH 43210
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6
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Heller NC, Garrett AM, Merkley ED, Cendrowski SR, Melville AM, Arce JS, Jenson SC, Wahl KL, Jarman KH. Probabilistic Limit of Detection for Ricin Identification Using a Shotgun Proteomics Assay. Anal Chem 2019; 91:12399-12406. [PMID: 31490662 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.9b02721] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Robust and highly specific methods for the detection of the protein toxin ricin are of interest to the law enforcement community. In previous studies, methods based on liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry shotgun proteomics have been proposed. The successful implementation of this approach relies on specific data evaluation criteria addressing (1) the quality of the mass spectrometric data, (2) the confidence of peptide identifications (peptide-spectrum matches), and (3) the number and sequence specificity of peptides detected. We present such data evaluation criteria and use a novel approach to establish the limit of detection for this ricin assay. Specifically, we use logistic regression to determine the probability of detection for individual ricin peptides at different concentrations. We then apply basic rules from probability theory, combining these individual peptide probabilities into an overall assay limit of detection. This procedure yields an assay limit of detection for ricin at 42.5 ng on column or 21.25 ng/μL for a 2-μL injection. We also show that, despite the conventional wisdom that detergents are deleterious to mass spectrometric analyses, the presence of Tween-20 did not prevent detection of ricin peptides, and indeed assays performed in buffers that included Tween-20 gave better results than assays performed using other buffer formulations with or without detergent removal.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Alaine M Garrett
- National Biodefense Analysis and Countermeasures Center , Operated by BNBI for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Directorate , Frederick , Maryland , United States
| | | | - Stephen R Cendrowski
- National Biodefense Analysis and Countermeasures Center , Operated by BNBI for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Directorate , Frederick , Maryland , United States
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7
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Applications and challenges of forensic proteomics. Forensic Sci Int 2019; 297:350-363. [DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2019.01.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2018] [Revised: 01/09/2019] [Accepted: 01/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
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8
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Species identification of white false hellebore (Veratrum album subsp. oxysepalum) by loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP). Forensic Toxicol 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/s11419-018-00461-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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9
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Jarman KH, Heller NC, Jenson SC, Hutchison JR, Kaiser BLD, Payne SH, Wunschel DS, Merkley ED. Proteomics Goes to Court: A Statistical Foundation for Forensic Toxin/Organism Identification Using Bottom-Up Proteomics. J Proteome Res 2018; 17:3075-3085. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.jproteome.8b00212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Kristin H. Jarman
- Applied Statistics and Computational Modeling Group, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, Washington 99352, United States
| | - Natalie C. Heller
- Applied Statistics and Computational Modeling Group, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, Washington 99352, United States
| | - Sarah C. Jenson
- Chemical and Biological Signatures Group, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, Washington 99352, United States
| | - Janine R. Hutchison
- Chemical and Biological Signatures Group, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, Washington 99352, United States
| | - Brooke L. Deatherage Kaiser
- Chemical and Biological Signatures Group, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, Washington 99352, United States
| | - Samuel H. Payne
- Biological Sciences Division, Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, Washington 99352, United States
| | - David S. Wunschel
- Chemical and Biological Signatures Group, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, Washington 99352, United States
| | - Eric D. Merkley
- Chemical and Biological Signatures Group, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, Washington 99352, United States
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10
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Fredriksson SÅ, Wunschel DS, Lindström SW, Nilsson C, Wahl K, Åstot C. A ricin forensic profiling approach based on a complex set of biomarkers. Talanta 2018; 186:628-635. [PMID: 29784413 DOI: 10.1016/j.talanta.2018.03.070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2017] [Revised: 03/15/2018] [Accepted: 03/22/2018] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
A forensic method for the retrospective determination of preparation methods used for illicit ricin toxin production was developed. The method was based on a complex set of biomarkers, including carbohydrates, fatty acids, seed storage proteins, in combination with data on ricin and Ricinus communis agglutinin. The analyses were performed on samples prepared from four castor bean plant (R. communis) cultivars by four different sample preparation methods (PM1-PM4) ranging from simple disintegration of the castor beans to multi-step preparation methods including different protein precipitation methods. Comprehensive analytical data was collected by use of a range of analytical methods and robust orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis- models (OPLS-DA) were constructed based on the calibration set. By the use of a decision tree and two OPLS-DA models, the sample preparation methods of test set samples were determined. The model statistics of the two models were good and a 100% rate of correct predictions of the test set was achieved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sten-Åke Fredriksson
- FOI CBRN Defence and Security, Swedish Defence Research Agency, SE-90182 Umeå, Sweden
| | - David S Wunschel
- Chemical and Biological Signature Sciences, National Security Directorate, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, P.O Box 999, MSIN P7-50 Richland, WA, United States
| | | | - Calle Nilsson
- FOI CBRN Defence and Security, Swedish Defence Research Agency, SE-90182 Umeå, Sweden
| | - Karen Wahl
- Chemical and Biological Signature Sciences, National Security Directorate, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, P.O Box 999, MSIN P7-50 Richland, WA, United States
| | - Crister Åstot
- FOI CBRN Defence and Security, Swedish Defence Research Agency, SE-90182 Umeå, Sweden.
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11
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Duracova M, Klimentova J, Fucikova A, Dresler J. Proteomic Methods of Detection and Quantification of Protein Toxins. Toxins (Basel) 2018; 10:toxins10030099. [PMID: 29495560 PMCID: PMC5869387 DOI: 10.3390/toxins10030099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2018] [Revised: 02/21/2018] [Accepted: 02/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Biological toxins are a heterogeneous group of compounds that share commonalities with biological and chemical agents. Among them, protein toxins represent a considerable, diverse set. They cover a broad range of molecular weights from less than 1000 Da to more than 150 kDa. This review aims to compare conventional detection methods of protein toxins such as in vitro bioassays with proteomic methods, including immunoassays and mass spectrometry-based techniques and their combination. Special emphasis is given to toxins falling into a group of selected agents, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, such as Staphylococcal enterotoxins, Bacillus anthracis toxins, Clostridium botulinum toxins, Clostridium perfringens epsilon toxin, ricin from Ricinus communis, Abrin from Abrus precatorius or control of trade in dual-use items in the European Union, including lesser known protein toxins such as Viscumin from Viscum album. The analysis of protein toxins and monitoring for biological threats, i.e., the deliberate spread of infectious microorganisms or toxins through water, food, or the air, requires rapid and reliable methods for the early identification of these agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miloslava Duracova
- Faculty of Military Health Sciences, University of Defense in Brno, Třebešská 1575, CZ-500 01 Hradec Králové, Czech Republic.
| | - Jana Klimentova
- Faculty of Military Health Sciences, University of Defense in Brno, Třebešská 1575, CZ-500 01 Hradec Králové, Czech Republic.
| | - Alena Fucikova
- Faculty of Military Health Sciences, University of Defense in Brno, Třebešská 1575, CZ-500 01 Hradec Králové, Czech Republic.
| | - Jiri Dresler
- Military Health Institute, Military Medical Agency, Tychonova 1, CZ-160 00 Prague 6, Czech Republic.
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12
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Merkley ED, Jenson SC, Arce JS, Melville AM, Leiser OP, Wunschel DS, Wahl KL. Ricin-like proteins from the castor plant do not influence liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry detection of ricin in forensically relevant samples. Toxicon 2017; 140:18-31. [PMID: 29031940 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2017.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2017] [Revised: 09/11/2017] [Accepted: 10/08/2017] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
The toxic protein ricin (also known as RCA60), found in the seed of the castor plant (Ricinus communis) is frequently encountered in law enforcement investigations. The ability to detect ricin by analyzing its proteolytic (tryptic) peptides by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) is well established. However, ricin is just one member of a family of proteins in R. communis with closely related amino acid sequences, including R. communis agglutinin I (RCA120) and other ricin-like proteins (RLPs). Inferring the presence of ricin from its constituent peptides requires an understanding of the specificity, or uniqueness to ricin, of each peptide. Here we describe the set of ricin-derived tryptic peptides that can serve to uniquely identify ricin in distinction to closely-related RLPs and to proteins from other species. Other ricin-derived peptide sequences occur only in the castor plant, and still others are shared with unrelated species. We also characterized the occurrence and relative abundance of ricin and related proteins in an assortment of forensically relevant crude castor seed preparations. We find that whereas ricin and RCA120 are abundant in castor seed extracts, other RLPs are not represented by abundant unique peptides. Therefore, the detection of peptides shared between ricin and RLPs (other than RCA120) in crude castor seed extracts most likely reflects the presence of ricin in the sample.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric D Merkley
- Chemical and Biological Signature Sciences Group, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA 99352, USA.
| | - Sarah C Jenson
- Chemical and Biological Signature Sciences Group, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA 99352, USA
| | - Jennifer S Arce
- Chemical and Biological Signature Sciences Group, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA 99352, USA
| | - Angela M Melville
- Chemical and Biological Signature Sciences Group, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA 99352, USA
| | - Owen P Leiser
- Chemical and Biological Signature Sciences Group, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA 99352, USA
| | - David S Wunschel
- Chemical and Biological Signature Sciences Group, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA 99352, USA
| | - Karen L Wahl
- Chemical and Biological Signature Sciences Group, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA 99352, USA
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13
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Kane S, Shah S, Erler AM, Alfaro T. Sample processing approach for detection of ricin in surface samples. J Immunol Methods 2017; 451:54-60. [PMID: 28855106 DOI: 10.1016/j.jim.2017.08.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2017] [Revised: 08/25/2017] [Accepted: 08/25/2017] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
With several ricin contamination incidents reported over the past decade, rapid and accurate methods are needed for environmental sample analysis, especially after decontamination. A sample processing method was developed for common surface sampling devices to improve the limit of detection and avoid false negative/positive results for ricin analysis. Potential assay interferents from the sample matrix (bleach residue, sample material, wetting buffer), including reference dust, were tested using a Time-Resolved Fluorescence (TRF) immunoassay. Test results suggested that the sample matrix did not cause the elevated background fluorescence sometimes observed when analyzing post-bleach decontamination samples from ricin incidents. Furthermore, sample particulates (80mg/mL Arizona Test Dust) did not enhance background fluorescence or interfere with ricin detection by TRF. These results suggested that high background fluorescence in this immunoassay could be due to labeled antibody quality and/or quantity issues. Centrifugal ultrafiltration devices were evaluated for ricin concentration as a part of sample processing. Up to 30-fold concentration of ricin was observed by the devices, which serve to remove soluble interferents and could function as the front-end sample processing step to other ricin analytical methods. The procedure has the potential to be used with a broader range of environmental sample types and with other potential interferences and to be followed by other ricin analytical methods, although additional verification studies would be required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Staci Kane
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA, USA
| | - Sanjiv Shah
- US Environmental Protection Agency, National Homeland Security Research Center, USA.
| | | | - Teneile Alfaro
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA, USA
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14
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Kikkawa HS, Tsuge K, Kubota S, Aragane M, Ohta H, Sugita R. Species identification of white false hellebore (Veratrum album subsp. oxysepalum) using real-time PCR. Forensic Sci Int 2017; 275:160-166. [PMID: 28366623 DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2017.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2016] [Revised: 12/30/2016] [Accepted: 02/02/2017] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Food poisoning is frequently caused by the accidental ingestion of toxic plants that possess strong morphological similarities to edible plants. False helleborine (Veratrum album) is one of the most common plants involved in such accidents. In cases of poisoning by toxic plants, rapid and accurate identification, usually based on the morphological or chemical analysis of plant parts, is required for appropriate medical treatment or forensic investigation. However, morphological examinations require experience in systematic botany because the samples are fragmentary, and chemical analysis of natural compounds can be difficult. In this study, we developed a TaqMan real-time PCR method using trnH-psbA and trnL-trnF that could be carried out in 30-60min. The lower detection limit was less than 10pg of DNA and the primer sets were specific to V. album and Veratrum stamineum. Mixed samples, cooked samples, and simulated gastric contents were successfully identified, and a multiplex assay of two regions was also possible. These results indicate that the TaqMan real-time PCR analysis is a very effective method to detect small samples of V. album and V. stamineum accurately and rapidly in poisoning cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hitomi S Kikkawa
- National Research Institute of Police Science, 6-3-1 Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba 277-0882, Japan.
| | - Kouichiro Tsuge
- National Research Institute of Police Science, 6-3-1 Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba 277-0882, Japan
| | - Satoshi Kubota
- National Research Institute of Police Science, 6-3-1 Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba 277-0882, Japan
| | - Masako Aragane
- Medical Plant Garden, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Public Health, 21-1 Nakajimacho, Kodaira, Tokyo 187-0033, Japan
| | - Hikoto Ohta
- National Research Institute of Police Science, 6-3-1 Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba 277-0882, Japan
| | - Ritsuko Sugita
- National Research Institute of Police Science, 6-3-1 Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba 277-0882, Japan
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15
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Bagas CK, Scadding RL, Scadding CJ, Watling RJ, Roberts W, Ovenden SP. Trace isotope analysis of Ricinus communis seed core for provenance determination by laser ablation-ICP-MS. Forensic Sci Int 2017; 270:46-54. [DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2016.11.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2016] [Revised: 11/06/2016] [Accepted: 11/19/2016] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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16
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Biological toxins of potential bioterrorism risk: Current status of detection and identification technology. Trends Analyt Chem 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.trac.2016.05.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
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17
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Exonuclease III-assisted graphene oxide amplified fluorescence anisotropy strategy for ricin detection. Biosens Bioelectron 2016; 85:822-827. [PMID: 27295569 DOI: 10.1016/j.bios.2016.05.091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2016] [Revised: 05/23/2016] [Accepted: 05/30/2016] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Graphene oxide (GO) is an excellent fluorescence anisotropy (FA) amplifier. However, in the conventional GO amplified FA strategy, one target can only induce the FA change of one fluorophore on probe, which limits the detection sensitivity. Herein, we developed an exonuclease III (Exo III) aided GO amplified FA strategy by using aptamer as an recognition element and ricin B-chain as a proof-of-concept target. The aptamer was hybridized with a blocker sequence and linked onto the surface of magnetic beads (MBs). Upon the addition of ricin B-chain, blocker was released from the surface of MBs and hybridized with the dye-modified probe DNA on the surface of GO through the toehold-mediated strand exchange reaction. The formed blocker-probe DNA duplex triggered the Exo III-assisted cyclic signal amplification by repeating the hybridization and digestion of probe DNA, liberating the fluorophore with several nucleotides (low FA value). Thus, ricin B-chain could be sensitively detected by the significantly decreased FA. The linear range was from 1.0μg/mL to 13.3μg/mL and the limit of detection (LOD) was 400ng/mL. This method improved the sensitivity of FA assay and it could be generalized to any kind of target detection based on the use of an appropriate aptamer.
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18
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Stern D, Pauly D, Zydek M, Müller C, Avondet MA, Worbs S, Lisdat F, Dorner MB, Dorner BG. Simultaneous differentiation and quantification of ricin and agglutinin by an antibody-sandwich surface plasmon resonance sensor. Biosens Bioelectron 2016; 78:111-117. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bios.2015.11.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2015] [Revised: 10/23/2015] [Accepted: 11/08/2015] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
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19
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An International Proficiency Test to Detect, Identify and Quantify Ricin in Complex Matrices. Toxins (Basel) 2015; 7:4987-5010. [PMID: 26703726 PMCID: PMC4690109 DOI: 10.3390/toxins7124859] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2015] [Revised: 11/08/2015] [Accepted: 11/16/2015] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
While natural intoxications with seeds of Ricinus communis (R. communis) have long been known, the toxic protein ricin contained in the seeds is of major concern since it attracts attention of those intending criminal, terroristic and military misuse. In order to harmonize detection capabilities in expert laboratories, an international proficiency test was organized that aimed at identifying good analytical practices (qualitative measurements) and determining a consensus concentration on a highly pure ricin reference material (quantitative measurements). Sample materials included highly pure ricin as well as the related R. communis agglutinin (RCA120) spiked into buffer, milk and meat extract; additionally, an organic fertilizer naturally contaminated with R. communis shred was investigated in the proficiency test. The qualitative results showed that either a suitable combination of immunological, mass spectrometry (MS)-based and functional approaches or sophisticated MS-based approaches alone successfully allowed the detection and identification of ricin in all samples. In terms of quantification, it was possible to determine a consensus concentration of the highly pure ricin reference material. The results provide a basis for further steps in quality assurance and improve biopreparedness in expert laboratories worldwide.
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20
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Simon S, Worbs S, Avondet MA, Tracz DM, Dano J, Schmidt L, Volland H, Dorner BG, Corbett CR. Recommended Immunological Assays to Screen for Ricin-Containing Samples. Toxins (Basel) 2015; 7:4967-86. [PMID: 26703725 PMCID: PMC4690108 DOI: 10.3390/toxins7124858] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2015] [Revised: 11/04/2015] [Accepted: 11/04/2015] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Ricin, a toxin from the plant Ricinus communis, is one of the most toxic biological agents known. Due to its availability, toxicity, ease of production and absence of curative treatments, ricin has been classified by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as category B biological weapon and it is scheduled as a List 1 compound in the Chemical Weapons Convention. An international proficiency test (PT) was conducted to evaluate detection and quantification capabilities of 17 expert laboratories. In this exercise one goal was to analyse the laboratories’ capacity to detect and differentiate ricin and the less toxic, but highly homologuous protein R. communis agglutinin (RCA120). Six analytical strategies are presented in this paper based on immunological assays (four immunoenzymatic assays and two immunochromatographic tests). Using these immunological methods “dangerous” samples containing ricin and/or RCA120 were successfully identified. Based on different antibodies used the detection and quantification of ricin and RCA120 was successful. The ricin PT highlighted the performance of different immunological approaches that are exemplarily recommended for highly sensitive and precise quantification of ricin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stéphanie Simon
- CEA Saclay, Institute of Biology and Technologies of Saclay, Laboratory for Immunoanalytical Researches, Gif-sur-Yvette 91191 cedex, France.
| | - Sylvia Worbs
- Biological Toxins, Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens, Robert Koch Institute, 13353 Berlin, Germany.
| | - Marc-André Avondet
- Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport-SPIEZ Laboratory, Spiez 3700, Switzerland.
| | - Dobryan M Tracz
- Bacteriology & Enteric Diseases Division, National Microbiology Laboratory, Public Health Agency of Canada,Winnipeg, MB R3E 3R2, Canada.
| | - Julie Dano
- CEA Saclay, Institute of Biology and Technologies of Saclay, Laboratory for Immunoanalytical Researches, Gif-sur-Yvette 91191 cedex, France.
| | - Lisa Schmidt
- Bacteriology & Enteric Diseases Division, National Microbiology Laboratory, Public Health Agency of Canada,Winnipeg, MB R3E 3R2, Canada.
| | - Hervé Volland
- CEA Saclay, Institute of Biology and Technologies of Saclay, Laboratory for Immunoanalytical Researches, Gif-sur-Yvette 91191 cedex, France.
| | - Brigitte G Dorner
- Biological Toxins, Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens, Robert Koch Institute, 13353 Berlin, Germany.
| | - Cindi R Corbett
- Bacteriology & Enteric Diseases Division, National Microbiology Laboratory, Public Health Agency of Canada,Winnipeg, MB R3E 3R2, Canada.
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3E 0J9, Canada.
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21
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Worbs S, Skiba M, Söderström M, Rapinoja ML, Zeleny R, Russmann H, Schimmel H, Vanninen P, Fredriksson SÅ, Dorner BG. Characterization of Ricin and R. communis Agglutinin Reference Materials. Toxins (Basel) 2015; 7:4906-34. [PMID: 26703723 PMCID: PMC4690106 DOI: 10.3390/toxins7124856] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2015] [Revised: 10/07/2015] [Accepted: 10/22/2015] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Ricinus communis intoxications have been known for centuries and were attributed to the toxic protein ricin. Due to its toxicity, availability, ease of preparation, and the lack of medical countermeasures, ricin attracted interest as a potential biological warfare agent. While different technologies for ricin analysis have been established, hardly any universally agreed-upon "gold standards" are available. Expert laboratories currently use differently purified in-house materials, making any comparison of accuracy and sensitivity of different methods nearly impossible. Technically challenging is the discrimination of ricin from R. communis agglutinin (RCA120), a less toxic but highly homologous protein also contained in R. communis. Here, we established both highly pure ricin and RCA120 reference materials which were extensively characterized by gel electrophoresis, liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-ESI MS/MS), and matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight approaches as well as immunological and functional techniques. Purity reached >97% for ricin and >99% for RCA120. Different isoforms of ricin and RCA120 were identified unambiguously and distinguished by LC-ESI MS/MS. In terms of function, a real-time cytotoxicity assay showed that ricin is approximately 300-fold more toxic than RCA120. The highly pure ricin and RCA120 reference materials were used to conduct an international proficiency test.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sylvia Worbs
- Biological Toxins, Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens, Robert Koch Institute, Seestr. 10, 13353 Berlin, Germany.
| | - Martin Skiba
- Biological Toxins, Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens, Robert Koch Institute, Seestr. 10, 13353 Berlin, Germany.
| | - Martin Söderström
- VERIFIN (Finnish Institute for Verification of the ChemicalWeapons Convention), Department of Chemistry, University of Helsinki, A.I. Virtasen aukio 1, Helsinki 05600, Finland.
| | - Marja-Leena Rapinoja
- VERIFIN (Finnish Institute for Verification of the ChemicalWeapons Convention), Department of Chemistry, University of Helsinki, A.I. Virtasen aukio 1, Helsinki 05600, Finland.
| | - Reinhard Zeleny
- European Commission, Joint Research Centre, Institute for Reference Materials and Measurements, Retieseweg 111, 2440 Geel, Belgium.
| | - Heiko Russmann
- Bundeswehr Research Institute for Protective Technologies and NBC Protection, Humboldtstr. 100, 29633 Munster, Germany.
| | - Heinz Schimmel
- European Commission, Joint Research Centre, Institute for Reference Materials and Measurements, Retieseweg 111, 2440 Geel, Belgium.
| | - Paula Vanninen
- VERIFIN (Finnish Institute for Verification of the ChemicalWeapons Convention), Department of Chemistry, University of Helsinki, A.I. Virtasen aukio 1, Helsinki 05600, Finland.
| | - Sten-Åke Fredriksson
- FOI, Swedish Defence Research Agency, CBRN Defence and Security, Cementvagen 20, 901 82 Umeå, Sweden.
| | - Brigitte G Dorner
- Biological Toxins, Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens, Robert Koch Institute, Seestr. 10, 13353 Berlin, Germany.
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22
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Recommended Mass Spectrometry-Based Strategies to Identify Ricin-Containing Samples. Toxins (Basel) 2015; 7:4881-94. [PMID: 26610568 PMCID: PMC4690104 DOI: 10.3390/toxins7124854] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2015] [Revised: 08/04/2015] [Accepted: 08/24/2015] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Ricin is a protein toxin produced by the castor bean plant (Ricinus communis) together with a related protein known as R. communis agglutinin (RCA120). Mass spectrometric (MS) assays have the capacity to unambiguously identify ricin and to detect ricin’s activity in samples with complex matrices. These qualitative and quantitative assays enable detection and differentiation of ricin from the less toxic RCA120 through determination of the amino acid sequence of the protein in question, and active ricin can be monitored by MS as the release of adenine from the depurination of a nucleic acid substrate. In this work, we describe the application of MS-based methods to detect, differentiate and quantify ricin and RCA120 in nine blinded samples supplied as part of the EQuATox proficiency test. Overall, MS-based assays successfully identified all samples containing ricin or RCA120 with the exception of the sample spiked with the lowest concentration (0.414 ng/mL). In fact, mass spectrometry was the most successful method for differentiation of ricin and RCA120 based on amino acid determination. Mass spectrometric methods were also successful at ranking the functional activities of the samples, successfully yielding semi-quantitative results. These results indicate that MS-based assays are excellent techniques to detect, differentiate, and quantify ricin and RCA120 in complex matrices.
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23
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Kikkawa HS, Tahara M, Sugita R. Forensic DNA Analysis of Wheat Flour as Commonly Used in White Powder Cases. J Forensic Sci 2015; 60:1316-21. [PMID: 26174661 DOI: 10.1111/1556-4029.12789] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2013] [Revised: 05/31/2014] [Accepted: 08/16/2014] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
In the wake of terrorist attacks using anthrax and ricin, white powder is often encountered in cases of malicious mischief and terrorist threats. Wheat flour is a common white powder encountered in such criminal investigations. We used DNA analysis to investigate wheat flour samples for identification and discrimination as trace evidence. Species identification of commercially available wheat flour was carried out by sequencing a partial region of the ribulose bisphosphate carboxylase large subunit gene (rbcL). Samples were discriminated using short tandem repeat (STR) analysis. The rbcL sequences of all wheat flour samples were identical and showed a high level of similarity to known wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) sequences. Furthermore, flours had characteristic patterns in STR analyses, with specific cultivars showing distinctive patterns. These results suggested that the identification of wheat flour species is possible using rbcL sequencing, and that STR analysis is useful for discriminating between samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hitomi S Kikkawa
- National Research Institute of Police Science, 6-3-1 Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, 277-0882, Japan
| | - Makoto Tahara
- Graduate School of Environmental and life Science Okayama University, 1-1-1 Tsushimanaka, Kita-ku, Okayama, 700-8530, Japan
| | - Ritsuko Sugita
- National Research Institute of Police Science, 6-3-1 Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, 277-0882, Japan
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24
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Fredriksson SÅ, Artursson E, Bergström T, Östin A, Nilsson C, Åstot C. Identification of RIP-II Toxins by Affinity Enrichment, Enzymatic Digestion and LC-MS. Anal Chem 2014; 87:967-74. [DOI: 10.1021/ac5032918] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Sten-Åke Fredriksson
- Swedish Defence Research Agency (FOI), CBRN Defence and Security, SE-901 82 Umeå, Sweden
| | - Elisabet Artursson
- Swedish Defence Research Agency (FOI), CBRN Defence and Security, SE-901 82 Umeå, Sweden
| | - Tomas Bergström
- Swedish Defence Research Agency (FOI), CBRN Defence and Security, SE-901 82 Umeå, Sweden
| | - Anders Östin
- Swedish Defence Research Agency (FOI), CBRN Defence and Security, SE-901 82 Umeå, Sweden
| | - Calle Nilsson
- Swedish Defence Research Agency (FOI), CBRN Defence and Security, SE-901 82 Umeå, Sweden
| | - Crister Åstot
- Swedish Defence Research Agency (FOI), CBRN Defence and Security, SE-901 82 Umeå, Sweden
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25
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Bergström T, Fredriksson SÅ, Nilsson C, Åstot C. Deamidation in ricin studied by capillary zone electrophoresis- and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. J Chromatogr B Analyt Technol Biomed Life Sci 2014; 974:109-17. [PMID: 25463205 DOI: 10.1016/j.jchromb.2014.10.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2014] [Revised: 09/24/2014] [Accepted: 10/07/2014] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Deamidation in ricin, a toxin present in castor beans from the plant Ricinus communis, was investigated using capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) and liquid chromatography coupled to high resolution mass spectrometry. Potential sites for deamidation, converting asparagine (Asn) into aspartic or isoaspartic acid (Asp or isoAsp), were identified in silico based on the protein sequence motifs and tertiary structure. In parallel, CZE- and LC-MS-based screening were performed on the digested toxin to detect deamidated peptides. The use of CZE-MS was critical for the separation of small native/deamidated peptide pairs. Selected peptides were subjected to a detailed analysis by tandem mass spectrometry to verify the presence of deamidation and determine its exact position. In the ricin preparation studied, deamidation was confirmed and located to three asparagine residues: Asn54 in the A-chain, and Asn42 and Asn60 in the B-chain. Possible in vitro deamidation occurring during sample preparation was monitored using a synthetic peptide with a known and rapid rate of deamidation. Finally, we showed that the isoelectric diversity previously reported in ricin is related to the level of deamidation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomas Bergström
- Swedish Defence Research Agency, CBRN Defence and Security, Cementvägen 20, SE-901 82 Umeå, Sweden
| | - Sten-Åke Fredriksson
- Swedish Defence Research Agency, CBRN Defence and Security, Cementvägen 20, SE-901 82 Umeå, Sweden
| | - Calle Nilsson
- Swedish Defence Research Agency, CBRN Defence and Security, Cementvägen 20, SE-901 82 Umeå, Sweden
| | - Crister Åstot
- Swedish Defence Research Agency, CBRN Defence and Security, Cementvägen 20, SE-901 82 Umeå, Sweden.
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26
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Hutchins AS, Astwood MJ, Saah JR, Michel PA, Newton BR, Dauphin LA. Evaluation of automated and manual DNA purification methods for detecting Ricinus communis DNA during ricin investigations. Forensic Sci Int 2014; 236:10-5. [PMID: 24529769 DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2013.12.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2013] [Revised: 11/26/2013] [Accepted: 12/10/2013] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
In April of 2013, letters addressed to the President of United States and other government officials were intercepted and found to be contaminated with ricin, heightening awareness about the need to evaluate laboratory methods for detecting ricin. This study evaluated commercial DNA purification methods for isolating Ricinus communis DNA as measured by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Four commercially available DNA purification methods (two automated, MagNA Pure compact and MagNA Pure LC, and two manual, MasterPure complete DNA and RNA purification kit and QIAamp DNA blood mini kit) were evaluated. We compared their ability to purify detectable levels of R. communis DNA from four different sample types, including crude preparations of ricin that could be used for biological crimes or acts of bioterrorism. Castor beans, spiked swabs, and spiked powders were included to simulate sample types typically tested during criminal and public health investigations. Real-time PCR analysis indicated that the QIAamp kit resulted in the greatest sensitivity for ricin preparations; the MasterPure kit performed best with spiked powders. The four methods detected equivalent levels by real-time PCR when castor beans and spiked swabs were used. All four methods yielded DNA free of PCR inhibitors as determined by the use of a PCR inhibition control assay. This study demonstrated that DNA purification methods differ in their ability to purify R. communis DNA; therefore, the purification method used for a given sample type can influence the sensitivity of real-time PCR assays for R. communis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne S Hutchins
- Bioterrorism and Emerging Pathogens Unit, North Carolina State Laboratory of Public Health, Raleigh, NC 27607, USA
| | | | - J Royden Saah
- Bioterrorism and Emerging Pathogens Unit, North Carolina State Laboratory of Public Health, Raleigh, NC 27607, USA
| | - Pierre A Michel
- Bioterrorism Rapid Response and Advanced Technology (BRRAT) Laboratory, Laboratory Preparedness and Response Branch (LPRB), Division of Preparedness and Emerging Infections (DPEI), National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases (NCEZID), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Atlanta, GA 30333, USA
| | | | - Leslie A Dauphin
- Bioterrorism Rapid Response and Advanced Technology (BRRAT) Laboratory, Laboratory Preparedness and Response Branch (LPRB), Division of Preparedness and Emerging Infections (DPEI), National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases (NCEZID), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Atlanta, GA 30333, USA.
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27
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Hodge DR, Prentice KW, Ramage JG, Prezioso S, Gauthier C, Swanson T, Hastings R, Basavanna U, Datta S, Sharma SK, Garber EAE, Staab A, Pettit D, Drumgoole R, Swaney E, Estacio PL, Elder IA, Kovacs G, Morse BS, Kellogg RB, Stanker L, Morse SA, Pillai SP. Comprehensive Laboratory Evaluation of a Highly Specific Lateral Flow Assay for the Presumptive Identification of Ricin in Suspicious White Powders and Environmental Samples. Biosecur Bioterror 2013; 11:237-50. [DOI: 10.1089/bsp.2013.0053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
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28
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Tevell Åberg A, Björnstad K, Hedeland M. Mass Spectrometric Detection of Protein-Based Toxins. Biosecur Bioterror 2013; 11 Suppl 1:S215-26. [DOI: 10.1089/bsp.2012.0072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Annica Tevell Åberg
- Annica Tevell Åberg, PhD, is a Senior Researcher; Kristian Björnstad, PhD, is a Senior Researcher; and Mikael Hedeland, PhD, is an Associate Professor and Deputy Head of Department; all at the Department of Chemistry, Environment and Feed Hygiene, National Veterinary Institute (SVA), Uppsala, Sweden. Dr. Åberg and Dr. Hedeland are also affiliated with the Division of Analytical Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Kristian Björnstad
- Annica Tevell Åberg, PhD, is a Senior Researcher; Kristian Björnstad, PhD, is a Senior Researcher; and Mikael Hedeland, PhD, is an Associate Professor and Deputy Head of Department; all at the Department of Chemistry, Environment and Feed Hygiene, National Veterinary Institute (SVA), Uppsala, Sweden. Dr. Åberg and Dr. Hedeland are also affiliated with the Division of Analytical Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Mikael Hedeland
- Annica Tevell Åberg, PhD, is a Senior Researcher; Kristian Björnstad, PhD, is a Senior Researcher; and Mikael Hedeland, PhD, is an Associate Professor and Deputy Head of Department; all at the Department of Chemistry, Environment and Feed Hygiene, National Veterinary Institute (SVA), Uppsala, Sweden. Dr. Åberg and Dr. Hedeland are also affiliated with the Division of Analytical Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
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29
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Silva L, Oliveira C, Silva A, Silva C, Castro S, Carvalho A, Duarte A, Costa E, Feltrin C, Figueiredo J, Rondina D. In vitro development of ovine preantral follicles and oocyte cleavage rate are not affected by long-term ingestion of detoxified castor meal. Small Rumin Res 2013. [DOI: 10.1016/j.smallrumres.2013.03.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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30
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Endom EE. Bioterrorism and the Pediatric Patient: An Update. CLINICAL PEDIATRIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE 2013. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cpem.2013.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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31
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Pittman CT, Guido J, Hamelin EI, Blake TA, Johnson RC. Analysis of a ricin biomarker, ricinine, in 989 individual human urine samples. J Anal Toxicol 2013; 37:237-40. [PMID: 23471955 PMCID: PMC4547525 DOI: 10.1093/jat/bkt010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Ricinine (3-cyano-4-methoxy-N-methyl-2-pyridone) is a urinary biomarker that can be measured to confirm human exposure to castor bean products such as ricin. Because many consumer products contain castor oil, another castor bean product, ricinine may be detectable in the general population. The following study characterized urinary ricinine concentrations from 989 individuals who were presumed to be unexposed to ricin. An automated diagnostic method was utilized to simplify the analysis of this large sample set. Sample preparation included a 96-well polystyrene divinylbenzene high throughput extraction and preconcentration step. Purified samples were analyzed by an efficient dual column, reversed-phase liquid chromatography separation and (13)C-isotope dilution tandem mass spectrometry. In this convenience sample set, only 1.2% of the urine specimens had detectable amounts of ricinine, randomly distributed between 0.186 and 4.15 ng/mL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher T. Pittman
- Division of Laboratory Sciences, National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4770 Buford Highway, MS F44, Atlanta, GA 30341
| | - John Guido
- Oak Ridge Institute for Scientific Education, MC-100-44, P.O. Box 117, Oak Ridge, TN 37831
| | - Elizabeth I. Hamelin
- Division of Laboratory Sciences, National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4770 Buford Highway, MS F44, Atlanta, GA 30341
| | - Thomas A. Blake
- Division of Laboratory Sciences, National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4770 Buford Highway, MS F44, Atlanta, GA 30341
| | - Rudolph C. Johnson
- Division of Laboratory Sciences, National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4770 Buford Highway, MS F44, Atlanta, GA 30341
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Kulkarni P, Hitchins VM, Lucas AD. Removal of a Natural Toxin Surrogate from Water, Material Surfaces, and Reusable Medical Devices. APPLIED BIOSAFETY 2013. [DOI: 10.1177/153567601301800104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Anne D. Lucas
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Silver
Spring, Maryland
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Shia WW, Bailey RC. Single domain antibodies for the detection of ricin using silicon photonic microring resonator arrays. Anal Chem 2013; 85:805-10. [PMID: 23268548 PMCID: PMC3546499 DOI: 10.1021/ac3030416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Ricin is a lethal protein toxin derived from the castor bean plant. Given its notorious history as a biowarfare agent and homicidal weapon, ricin has been classified as a category B bioterrorism agent. Current ricin detection methods based on immunoassays lack the required sensitivity and specificity for many homeland security surveillance applications. Importantly, many conventional antibody-based methodologies are unable to distinguish ricin from RCA 120, a nontoxic protein also found in the castor bean plant. Single domain antibodies (sdAbs), which are recombinantly derived from immunized llamas, are known to have high affinities for ricin A or B chains and low cross-reactivity with RCA 120. Herein, we demonstrate the use of silicon photonic microring resonators for antibody affinity profiling and one-step ricin detection at concentrations down to 300 pM using a 15 min, label-free assay format. These sdAbs were also simultaneously compared with a commercial anti-RCA IgG antibody in a multicapture agent, single target immunoassay using arrays of microrings, which allowed direct comparison of sensitivity and specificity. A selected sdAb was also found to exhibit outstanding specificity against another biotoxin, saporin, which has mechanism of action similar to ricin. Given the rapidity, scalability, and multiplexing capability of this silicon-based technology, this work represents a step toward using microring resonator arrays for the sensitive and specific detection of biowarfare agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Winnie W. Shia
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 600 S. Matthews Ave, Illinois, 61801
| | - Ryan C. Bailey
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 600 S. Matthews Ave, Illinois, 61801
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Brandon DL, Korn AM, Yang LL. Immunosorbent analysis of ricin contamination in milk using colorimetric, chemiluminescent and electrochemiluminescent detection. FOOD AGR IMMUNOL 2013. [DOI: 10.1080/09540105.2012.753515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022] Open
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Real-time cytotoxicity assay for rapid and sensitive detection of ricin from complex matrices. PLoS One 2012; 7:e35360. [PMID: 22532852 PMCID: PMC3330811 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0035360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2011] [Accepted: 03/15/2012] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In the context of a potential bioterrorist attack sensitive and fast detection of functionally active toxins such as ricin from complex matrices is necessary to be able to start timely countermeasures. One of the functional detection methods currently available for ricin is the endpoint cytotoxicity assay, which suffers from a number of technical deficits. METHODOLOGY/FINDINGS This work describes a novel online cytotoxicity assay for the detection of active ricin and Ricinus communis agglutinin, that is based on a real-time cell electronic sensing system and impedance measurement. Characteristic growth parameters of Vero cells were monitored online and used as standardized viability control. Upon incubation with toxin the cell status and the cytotoxic effect were visualized using a characteristic cell index-time profile. For ricin, tested in concentrations of 0.06 ng/mL or above, a concentration-dependent decrease of cell index correlating with cytotoxicity was recorded between 3.5 h and 60 h. For ricin, sensitive detection was determined after 24 h, with an IC50 of 0.4 ng/mL (for agglutinin, an IC50 of 30 ng/mL was observed). Using functionally blocking antibodies, the specificity for ricin and agglutinin was shown. For detection from complex matrices, ricin was spiked into several food matrices, and an IC50 ranging from 5.6 to 200 ng/mL was observed. Additionally, the assay proved to be useful in detecting active ricin in environmental sample materials, as shown for organic fertilizer containing R. communis material. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE The cell-electrode impedance measurement provides a sensitive online detection method for biologically active cytotoxins such as ricin. As the cell status is monitored online, the assay can be standardized more efficiently than previous approaches based on endpoint measurement. More importantly, the real-time cytotoxicity assay provides a fast and easy tool to detect active ricin in complex sample matrices.
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Brandon DL, Korn AM, Yang LL. Detection of Ricin Contamination in Liquid Egg by Electrochemiluminescence Immunosorbent Assay. J Food Sci 2012; 77:T83-8. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1750-3841.2012.02627.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Understanding ricin from a defensive viewpoint. Toxins (Basel) 2011; 3:1373-92. [PMID: 22174975 PMCID: PMC3237001 DOI: 10.3390/toxins3111373] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2011] [Revised: 10/13/2011] [Accepted: 10/14/2011] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The toxin ricin has long been understood to have potential for criminal activity and there has been concern that it might be used as a mass-scale weapon on a military basis for at least two decades. Currently, the focus has extended to encompass terrorist activities using ricin to disrupt every day activities on a smaller scale. Whichever scenario is considered, there are features in common which need to be understood; these include the knowledge of the toxicity from ricin poisoning by the likely routes, methods for the detection of ricin in relevant materials and approaches to making an early diagnosis of ricin poisoning, in order to take therapeutic steps to mitigate the toxicity. This article will review the current situation regarding each of these stages in our collective understanding of ricin and how to defend against its use by an aggressor.
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Abstract
The toxin ricin has long been understood to have potential for criminal activity and there has been concern that it might be used as a mass-scale weapon on a military basis for at least two decades. Currently, the focus has extended to encompass terrorist activities using ricin to disrupt every day activities on a smaller scale. Whichever scenario is considered, there are features in common which need to be understood; these include the knowledge of the toxicity from ricin poisoning by the likely routes, methods for the detection of ricin in relevant materials and approaches to making an early diagnosis of ricin poisoning, in order to take therapeutic steps to mitigate the toxicity. This article will review the current situation regarding each of these stages in our collective understanding of ricin and how to defend against its use by an aggressor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gareth D Griffiths
- Biology Department, Defence Science and Technology Laboratory, Porton Down, Wiltshire SP4 0JQ, UK.
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Worbs S, Köhler K, Pauly D, Avondet MA, Schaer M, Dorner MB, Dorner BG. Ricinus communis intoxications in human and veterinary medicine-a summary of real cases. Toxins (Basel) 2011; 3:1332-72. [PMID: 22069699 PMCID: PMC3210461 DOI: 10.3390/toxins3101332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 105] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2011] [Revised: 09/26/2011] [Accepted: 09/30/2011] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Accidental and intended Ricinus communis intoxications in humans and animals have been known for centuries but the causative agent remained elusive until 1888 when Stillmark attributed the toxicity to the lectin ricin. Ricinus communis is grown worldwide on an industrial scale for the production of castor oil. As by-product in castor oil production ricin is mass produced above 1 million tons per year. On the basis of its availability, toxicity, ease of preparation and the current lack of medical countermeasures, ricin has gained attention as potential biological warfare agent. The seeds also contain the less toxic, but highly homologous Ricinus communis agglutinin and the alkaloid ricinine, and especially the latter can be used to track intoxications. After oil extraction and detoxification, the defatted press cake is used as organic fertilizer and as low-value feed. In this context there have been sporadic reports from different countries describing animal intoxications after uptake of obviously insufficiently detoxified fertilizer. Observations in Germany over several years, however, have led us to speculate that the detoxification process is not always performed thoroughly and controlled, calling for international regulations which clearly state a ricin threshold in fertilizer. In this review we summarize knowledge on intended and unintended poisoning with ricin or castor seeds both in humans and animals, with a particular emphasis on intoxications due to improperly detoxified castor bean meal and forensic analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sylvia Worbs
- Centre for Biological Security, Microbial Toxins (ZBS3), Robert Koch-Institut, Nordufer 20, Berlin 13353, Germany; (S.W.); (D.P.); (M.B.D.)
| | - Kernt Köhler
- Institute of Veterinary Pathology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Frankfurter Street 96, Giessen 35392, Germany;
| | - Diana Pauly
- Centre for Biological Security, Microbial Toxins (ZBS3), Robert Koch-Institut, Nordufer 20, Berlin 13353, Germany; (S.W.); (D.P.); (M.B.D.)
| | - Marc-André Avondet
- Biology and Chemistry Section, Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sports DDPS SPIEZ LABORATORY, Austrasse 1, Spiez CH-3700, Switzerland; (M.-A.A.); (M.S.)
| | - Martin Schaer
- Biology and Chemistry Section, Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sports DDPS SPIEZ LABORATORY, Austrasse 1, Spiez CH-3700, Switzerland; (M.-A.A.); (M.S.)
| | - Martin B. Dorner
- Centre for Biological Security, Microbial Toxins (ZBS3), Robert Koch-Institut, Nordufer 20, Berlin 13353, Germany; (S.W.); (D.P.); (M.B.D.)
| | - Brigitte G. Dorner
- Centre for Biological Security, Microbial Toxins (ZBS3), Robert Koch-Institut, Nordufer 20, Berlin 13353, Germany; (S.W.); (D.P.); (M.B.D.)
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