title: Tetanus and botulism neurotoxins: a new group of zinc proteases.
abstract: The active forms of tetanus and botulinum neurotoxins, released from the precursor molecule by specific proteolysis and reduction, block the release of neurotransmitters via a Zn(2+)-dependent protease activity. VAMP/synaptobrevin, an integral membrane protein of the synaptic vesicles, is cleaved at a single site by tetanus and botulinum B, D and F neurotoxins. The unique sequence, mechanism of activation and site of activity of clostridial neurotoxins mark them out as an independent group of Zn(2+)-endopeptidases.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padova, Italy.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Montecucco
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Schiavo
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001905:Botulinum Toxins / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D008666:Metalloendopeptidases / Q000378:metabolism; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D009420:Nervous System / Q000378:metabolism; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents / Q000378:metabolism; D050683:R-SNARE Proteins; D013744:Tetanus Toxin / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D008565:Membrane Proteins; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents; D050683:R-SNARE Proteins; D013744:Tetanus Toxin; D008666:Metalloendopeptidases; C093556:zinc-endopeptidase, tetanus neurotoxin; D001905:Botulinum Toxins