Immunotoxins kill target cells mainly by:
Mechanism by which protein toxins arrest protein synthesis culminates in rapid programmed cell death via mitochondrial pathway capable of killing quiescent cells. Diphtheria toxin fragment A catalyzes ADP-ribosylation of unusual post-translationally modified histidine diphthamide at position 699 of eukaryotic elongation factor 2 present exclusively on domain IV, using oxidized NAD+ as ADP-ribose donor releasing nicotinamide. Modified elongation factor cannot mediate translocation step of peptidyl-tRNA from A site to P site on 60S ribosomal subunit, halting elongation after single round. Ricin
Ref: Collier Annu Rev Biochem 1975 diphtheria ADP-ribosyl EF2; Olsnes Pharmac Ther ribosome N-glycosidase ricin apoptosis.
