Determination of ricin intoxication in biological samples by monitoring depurinated 28S rRNA in a unique reverse transcription-ligase-polymerase chain reaction assay

Purpose Type II ribosome inactivating proteins (RIPs II) such as ricin, exert their cytotoxic effect by depurinating a specific adenosine within the 28S rRNA, which in turn leads to inhibition of protein synthesis and cell death. Therapeutic intervention in case of exposure to RIP II toxins, requires the development of a specific and sensitive method for the detection of the active toxin in biological samples. Here, we describe the development of a highly sensitive assay for the detection of ricin, based on the biological activity of the toxin.