1. A toxic peptide produced by certain poisonous mushrooms (especially Amanita phalloides) that inhibits RNA polymerase and causes severe liver and kidney damage.
Usage: technical; biochemistry; toxicology

Examples

• Amanitin is the primary toxin responsible for the deadly effects of the death cap mushroom.
• Researchers use amanitin in laboratory studies to understand how RNA polymerase functions.
• Even a small amount of amanitin can cause fatal poisoning in humans.
• The structure of amanitin makes it resistant to stomach acid and digestive enzymes.
• Scientists have identified multiple forms of amanitin produced by Amanita species.