March 31, 2008: Abrus

[SPUCK]

I never get how 1/1000000 g of something can kill you! What is that, one atom per 100 million cells??

[xoxoxoBruce]

From Wiki

The toxin present in Abrus precatorius is a close relative to ricin called abrin. It is a dimer consisting of two protein subunits, termed A and B. The B chain facillitates abrin's entry into a cell by bonding to certain transport proteins on cell membranes, which then transport the toxin into the cell. Once inside the cell, the A chain prevents protein synthesis by inactivating the 26S subunit of the ribosome. One molecule of abrin will inactivate up to 1,500 ribosomes per second. Symptoms are identical to those of ricin, except that the fatal dose of ricin is approximately 75 times greater than the fatal dose of abrin. Abrin can kill with a circulating amount of less than 3 μg (micrograms).

The seeds of Abrus precatorius are much valued in native jewelry for their bright coloration. The third of the bean with the hilum (attachment scar) is black, while the rest is bright red, suggesting a ladybug. Jewelry-making with jequirity seeds is dangerous, and there have been cases of death by a finger-prick while boring the seeds for beadwork. However, it has long been a symbol of love in China.

[Sheldonrs]

Originally Posted by xoxoxoBruce

From Wiki

Just what I thought...Love=Death.

[Cicero]

Originally Posted by Sheldonrs

Just what I thought...Love=Death.

Can you say Bindeez love you long time?

~snip~However, it has long been a symbol of love in China. ~snippy~

[Electrophile]

Originally Posted by SPUCK

I never get how 1/1000000 g of something can kill you! What is that, one atom per 100 million cells??

Assuming 100 trillion cells are in your body, one micrograms of albin is about 500 molecules per cell. And because it's an enzyme, it is not used up when it stops the ribosome. So once inside a cell, one molecule could kill that cell.

[Gravdigr]

Yikes.

[rupip]

god - allah - zeus - jehova - brahman- evolution ... whathever it is
- she or he or it is definitly the greatest designer ever !

I also love the design of poisonous frogs or snails.

[SPUCK]

Originally Posted by Electrophile

Assuming 100 trillion cells are in your body, one micrograms of albin is about 500 molecules per cell. And because it's an enzyme, it is not used up when it stops the ribosome. So once inside a cell, one molecule could kill that cell.

Thanks makes more sense now. Like Flourocarbons in the Ozone layer.

Thanks too Bruce for the poison info.

[HungLikeJesus]

Originally Posted by SPUCK

Thanks makes more sense now. Like Flourocarbons in the Ozone layer.

Flourocarbons in the ozone layer
First the water and the wildlife go
Pretty soon there's not a creature stirring
'Cept the robots at the dynamo

And its worse when i try to remember
When i think about then and now
I'd rather see it on the news at eleven
Sit back and watch it run straight down

Run straight down
Run straight down
I can see it with my eyes closed
Run straight down.