Purification and partial characterization of a ribosome-inactivating protein from the latex of Euphorbia trigona Miller with cytotoxic activity toward human cancer cell lines.

Background: The objective of this study is to investigate the cytotoxic activity of three isolectins purified from the latex of Euphorbia trigona Miller.

Hypothesis: Among lectins are the ribosome-inactivating proteins (RIPs), which are potent inhibitors of protein synthesis in cells and in cell-free systems.

Results: Three isolectins, ETR1, ETR2 and ETR3, were purified by anion exchange chromatography.