A powerful plant toxin widely feared for its bioterrorism potential may one day be tamed using findings about how the toxin attacks cells. The findings may also help scientists combat food poisoning episodes.

According to biotechnology researchers at Rutgers University, ricin, extracted from castor beans, tricks a cell into turning off a natural defense mechanism that destroys foreign proteins. If ricin did not first deactivate the cell's defenses, the cell would be able to turn on a stress response to rid the toxin. The discovery enables scientists to explore new ways to disarm ricin.

While ricin's earlier effects were still known to harm cells, the toxin's newly discovered, more stealthy activity is believed to be what kills cells. Ricin is feared as a bioterror agent because it can be easily purified from the waste of castor oil production, and there are no known antidotes. It is poisonous if inhaled, ingested or injected. Ricin could produce breathing difficulty, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea - and in severe cases possibly damage organs and lead to death.

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