risina

Risina is a potent bacterial toxin produced by the bacterium Clostridium perfringens, a common soil bacterium. It is a single-chain polypeptide with a molecular weight of approximately 30 kDa. Risina is responsible for the symptoms of clostridial myonecrosis, a severe and often fatal condition characterized by muscle necrosis and tissue death. The toxin acts by inhibiting protein synthesis in eukaryotic cells, specifically targeting the 60S ribosomal subunit. This inhibition leads to the cessation of protein synthesis, which is crucial for cellular function and survival. Risina is also known to have hemolytic activity, causing the lysis of red blood cells. The toxin is heat-labile and is destroyed by boiling, which is a common method of food preservation. Risina is not typically found in the human body and is primarily a concern in the context of foodborne illness and wound infections. The toxin is named after the French microbiologist Jean Ris, who first described it in 1936.