Tetanus, botulinum and snake presynaptic neurotoxins |
| |
Authors: | Ornella Rossetto Laura Morbiato Paola Caccin Michela Rigoni Luca Carli Marco Paoli Mariana Cintra-Francischelli and Cesare Montecucco |
| |
Institution: | (1) Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche and Istituto CNR di Neuroscienze, Università di Padova, Via G. Colombo 3, 35121 Padova, Italy |
| |
Abstract: | Tetanus and botulinum neurotoxins, produced by anaerobic bacteria of the genus Clostridium, are the most toxic proteins known
and are solely responsible for the pathogenesis of tetanus and botulism. They are metallo-proteases that enter nerve terminals
and cleave proteins of the neuroexocytosis apparatus causing a persistent, but reversible, inhibition of neurotransmitter
release. Botulinum neurotoxins are used in the therapy of many human syndromes caused by hyperactive nerve terminals. Snake
presynaptic PLA2 neurotoxins block nerve terminals by binding to the nerve membrane and catalyzing phospholipid hydrolysis
with production of lysophospholipids and fatty acids. These compounds change the membrane conformation causing enhanced fusion
of synaptic vesicle via hemifusion intermediate with release of neurotransmitter and, at the same time, inhibition of vesicle
fission and recycling. It is possible to envisage clinical applications of the lysophospholipid/fatty acid mixture to inhibit
hyperactive superficial nerve terminals.
|
| |
Keywords: | Tetanus and botulinum neurotoxins snake neurotoxins neuroexocytosis muscle paralysis dystonia |
本文献已被 SpringerLink 等数据库收录! |
|