Characterization and cytotoxic activity of ribotoxin-like proteins from the edible mushroom Pleurotus eryngii

•Pleurotus eryngii fruiting bodies harbour 4 ribotoxin-like proteins, eryngitins 1–4.•Enzymatic and structural features of eryngitins were investigated.•Eryngitins 1–4 are quickly hydrolysed by in vitro digestion system.•Eryngitins 1–4 are cytotoxic for Sf9 insect cells and not cytotoxic for HUVEC cells.•Cytotoxicity is not altered upon addition of aegerolysin-based cytolytic complexes.•Eryngitins 1–4 are probably part of mushroom defence system against insects.