Ribosome-inactivating protein (RIPs) are group of protein that inhibit protein synthesis in many prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.
The inhibition is caused by the N-glycosidase depurination of rRNA at conserved residues.
RIPs molecules specific cleave at an Adenine residue within the G-A-G-A- sequence loop in rRNA
The activities of these protein probably explain their putative role in plants as defensive agents against pathogens