Effect of the chaotropic anions thiocyanate and perchlorate on the entry of ricin into Vero cells.

摘要

The effect of different anions on the sensitivity of Vero cells to ricin was investigated. The cells were equally sensitive to ricin when NaCl was replaced by NaBr, NaI, Na2SO4 or with iso-osmotic concentrations of mannitol. In contrast, NaSCN and NaClO4 strongly protected against ricin at pH 7.2, but not at pH 7.6. The possibility that the protective effect is due to the ability of chaotropic anions to decrease the pH close to the membrane is discussed.