alpha-Amanitin: a possible suicide substrate-like toxin involving the sulphoxide moiety of the bridged cyclopeptide

Abstract

The highly hepatotoxic natural compound, alpha-amanitin, is noteworthy for its uncommon properties: high and specific affinity for the enzyme RNA polymerase type II, and, furthermore, high potency, severity and irreversibility of the poisoning. Considering the structural uniqueness of the tryptathionine bridge bearing a sulphoxide function, a few mechanistic and biochemical observations suggest that an enzyme-induced process may underlie the characteristics of the poisoning evolution which leads to the cytolysis of the hepatocytes.