Ribosome inactivating protein

Ribosome-inactivating proteins (RIPs), mostly from plants, are enzymes which depurinate rRNA, thus inhibiting protein synthesis. These proteins also depurinate other polynucleotides. The biological activity of RIPs is not completely clarified, and sometimes independent of the inhibition of protein synthesis. Some RIPs are potent toxins, the best known being ricin induce production of cytokines causing inflammation. RIPs are potentially useful in agriculture and medicine because they have anti viral activity. The mechanism of action and role in nature of RIPs are not completely understood, and we can expect more advancement in their practical application. We will be more acquainted with the structure and function of these proteins in this review.