Genomic cloning and characterization of a ricin gene from Ricinus Communis

Kevin C. Halling, Amy C. Halling, Elizabeth E. Murray, Beth F. Ladin, L. L. Houston, Robert F. Weaver

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

135 Scopus citations

Abstract

A genomic clone that specifies a single poypeptide precursor for ricin, a toxic lectin of Ricinus communis (castor bean), was isolated, sequenced and S1 mapped. The gene encodes a 64 kDa precursor which contains, in the following order: a 24 or 35 amino acid signal peptide, the A chain, a 12 amino acid linker peptide, and the B chain. The 5′-end of the ricin mRNA maps approximately 35 bases upstream from the first methionine codon. Two putative TATA boxes and a possible CAAT box lie in the 5′-flanking region. Two possible polyadenylation signals are found in the 3′ flanking region. No introns were found, which is typical of other lectin genes that have been sequenced. Southern blot analysis suggests that the castor bean genome contains approximately six ricin-like genes.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)8019-8033
Number of pages15
JournalNucleic acids research
Volume13
Issue number22
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 25 1985

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Genetics

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