Bolesatine is a glycoprotein isolated from the Rubroboletus satanas (Boletus satanas Lenz) mushroom which has a lectin function that is specific to the sugar binding site of D-galactose.[1] It is a monomeric protein with a compact globular structure and is thermostable. One tryptophan can be found in its primary sequence along with one disulfide bridge.
Bolesatine causes gastroenteritis in humans[2] and, at high enough concentrations, inhibits protein synthesis.[3] It does not inhibit protein synthesis directly. Instead, it acts as a phosphatase for nucleoside triphosphate, particularly for GTP.[4] At lower concentrations, it is a mitogen to human and rat T lymphocytes.[5] Studies have shown that at low concentrations, protein kinases C (PKC) are activated in vitro and in vero cells, leading to an increase in DNA synthesis activity.[6]
^Kretz, Olivier; Creppy, Edmond Ekue; Dirheimer, Guy (January 1991). "Disposition of the toxic protein, bolesatine, in rats: its resistance to proteolytic enzymes". Xenobiotica. 21 (1): 65–73. doi:10.3109/00498259109039451. PMID2003368.
^Kretz, Olivier; Creppy, Edmond Ekue; Dirheimer, Guy (February 1991). "Characterization of bolesatine, a toxic protein from the mushroom Boletus satanas Lenz and it's [sic] effects on kidney cells". Toxicology. 66 (2): 213–24. doi:10.1016/0300-483x(91)90220-u. PMID1707561.
^Ennamany, R.; Lavergne, J.P.; Reboud, J.P.; Dirheimer, G.; Creppy, E.E. (June 1995). "Mode of action of bolesatine, a cytotoxic glycoprotein from Boletus satanas Lenz. Mechanistic approaches". Toxicology. 100 (1–3): 51–55. doi:10.1016/0300-483x(95)03058-n. ISSN0300-483X. PMID7624882.
^Licastro, Frederico; Morini, Maria Cristina; Kretz, Olivier; Dirheimer, Guy; Creppy, Edmond Ekue; Stirpe, Fiorenzo (May 1993). "Mitogenic activity and immunological properties of bolesatine, a lectin isolated from the mushroom Boletus satanas Lenz". International Journal of Biochemistry. 25 (5): 789–792. doi:10.1016/0020-711x(93)90366-m. PMID8349019.