[Activation of G protein on the membrane of TCS-sensitive cells].
Trichosanthin (TCS), a Type I Ribosome Inactivating Protein isolated from the root tuber of Trichosanthes Kirilowii M. has various biological activities including abortion induction, anti-tumor and anti-HIV. The mechanism of TCS specifically killing sensitive cells has not been studied clearly. In this study, we initially found that there exists TCS-affinity molecule on Syncytiotrophoblast cells and Jar cells. Furthermore, by [35S]GTP gamma S Binding Assay, we find that TCS can activate G protein on the membrane of TCS-sensitive cells. These results indicate that on the membrane of TCS-sensitive cells exists TCS-specific receptor.