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Introduction

Abrus precatorius (or rosary peas) contain the protein abrin. Rosary peas are red and oval-shaped with a black edge towards one end. In some cultures, they are used to make beaded jewelry. Abrin can exhibit beneficial uses for medical research, but it can also be destructive if it directly enters an organism’s body because of its toxic properties.

Structure

Abrin is referred to as a ribosome-inactivating protein (RIP). The protein contains two chains: A and B which are connected by a disulfide bond. The A chain is known as an N-glycosidase allowing it modify adenine in ribosomes by deleting cyanide. This causes the ribosome to be incompetent when trying to connect to an elongation factor [3]. The B chain is composed of Ile-Val-Glu-Lys-Ser-Lys-Ile-Ser-Ser-Ser-Arg-Tyr-Glu-Pro-Thr amino acids which attach to carbohydrate receptors of the cell. With these abilities, cells are very susceptible to abrin.

Medical Potential

Abrin has remained a key interest in a treatment for cancer. In one study, scientists want to see if abrin would decrease the number of colon cancer cells in vitro and vivo models. One experiment showed that purified abrin can influence cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. The study states abrin “significantly increased p21 mRNA expression and decreased PCNA, cyclin B1, Ki67 mRNA expression” [6] which induces a halt in cell growth. For example, p21 can inhibit the CDK2 which regulate the checkpoints of the cell cycle; meaning, if there is an increased level of p21, more CDK2s will be affected. It also stated that abrin can enhance Bcl-2 which causes cytochrome c to be released. With this data, the study suggested that abrin could act as an anticancer treatment for colon cancer; however, a further experiment would have to test abrin’s impact on other cells such as erythrocytes, neurons, or dendritic cells.

Negative Effects/Treatment

Since abrin is able to induce apoptosis and cell cycle arrest, ingestion of a rosary pea is lethal. If abrin is consumed or inhaled into the human system, symptoms will include difficulty breathing, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, and organ failure. The lethal dose of abrin is 0.1-1 micrograms [1]. Someone who has been poisoned by abrin will need fluids, a ventilator, and activated charcoal. However, there is no remedy to counteract abrin; there is only the treatment to lessen the symptoms.

Bioterrorism/Prevention

Abrin is very similar to ricin because of its structure and functions. While abrin hasn’t been used for bioterrorism, there have been multiple occasions of ricin misuse. For example, in London of 1978, Georgi Markov was attacked by a man with an umbrella, who was employed by the Bulgarian secret service. The umbrella was designed to release a piece ricin which ended up lodging into Markov's skin. Markov died three days after being exposed to the toxin of ricin. Other acts of bioterrorism have included envelopes with the exposure to ricin being mailed to government officials including the President. Since then a vaccine has been created to suppress the effects of ricin poisoning. However, there is still a potential for the use of abrin in a bioterrorism attack. As of right now, they are in development of a vaccine and have learned in one study that a rATB vaccine will possibly rid the symptoms of abrin poisoning.

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