Information on EC 4.6.1.23 - ribotoxin

Ribotoxins are rRNA endonucleases that catalyse the cleavage of the phosphodiester bond between guanosine and adenosine residues at one specific position in 28S rRNA. The enzyme secreted by Aspergillus giganteus specifically cleaves rat 28S rRNA between G⁴³²⁵ and A⁴³²⁶ and displays cytotoxic activity toward animal cells. It can also act on bacterial rRNAs. The enzyme catalyses a two-stage endonucleolytic cleavage. The first reaction produces 5′-hydroxy-phosphooligonucletides and 3′-phosphooligonucleotides ending with 2′,3′-cyclic phosphodiester, which are released from the enzyme. The enzyme then hydrolyses these cyclic compounds in a second reaction that takes place only when all the susceptible 3′,5′-phosphodiester bonds have been cyclised. The second reaction is a reversal of the first reaction using the hydroxyl group of water instead of the 5′-hydroxyl group of ribose. The overall process is that of a phosphorus-oxygen lyase followed by hydrolysis to form the 3′-nucleotides.