The toxic peptides from Amanita mushrooms

Int J Pept Protein Res. 1983 Sep;22(3):257-76. doi: 10.1111/j.1399-3011.1983.tb02093.x.

Abstract

The results of 50 years of effort in the chemistry of Amanita toxins are reviewed. The phallotoxins, fast acting components, but not responsible for fatal intoxications after ingestion, are bicyclic heptapeptides. They combine with F-actin, stabilizing this protein against several destabilizing influences. The virotoxins likewise fast acting are monocyclic heptapeptides. The amatoxins which are the real toxins lead to death within several days by inhibiting the enzymatic synthesis of m-RNA. They are bicyclic octapeptides. The structures of all of these compounds are described, as well as conformations, chemical reactions and modification, syntheses and correlations between structures and biological activities.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Amanita
  • Amanitins / chemical synthesis
  • Amanitins / isolation & purification*
  • Animals
  • Mice
  • Phalloidine / analogs & derivatives
  • Phalloidine / toxicity
  • Protein Conformation
  • Structure-Activity Relationship
  • X-Ray Diffraction

Substances

  • Amanitins
  • Phalloidine
  • phallotoxin