The death cap mushroom, Amanita phalloides, contains several dangerous
substances, including the lethal \(a\)-amanitin. This toxin blocks RNA
elongation in consumers of the mushroom by binding to eukaryotic RNA
polymerase II with very high affinity; it is deadly in concentrations as low
as \(10^{-8}\) ?. The initial reaction to ingestion of the mushroom is
gastrointestinal distress (caused by some of the other toxins). These symptoms
disappear, but about 48 hours later, the mushroom-eater dies, usually from
liver dysfunction. Speculate on why it takes this long for \(a\)-amanitin to
kill.
