title: Internalization and mechanism of action of clostridial toxins in neurons.
abstract: Botulinum toxins are metalloproteases that act inside nerve terminals and block neurotransmitter release via their activity directed specifically on SNARE proteins. This review summarizes data on botulinum toxin modes of binding, sites of action, and biochemical activities. Their use in cell biology and neuroscience is considered, as well as their therapeutic utilization in human diseases characterized by hyperfunction of cholinergic terminals.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Pharmacology and CNR Institute of Neuroscience, Center of Excellence for Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Milano, Via Vanvitelli 32, 20129 Milano, Italy.
authors.forename: Carlotta
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Grumelli
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Verderio
authors.forename: Davide
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Pozzi
authors.forename: Ornella
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Rossetto
authors.forename: Cesare
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Montecucco
authors.forename: Michela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Matteoli
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001342:Autonomic Nervous System Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy; D001905:Botulinum Toxins / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D009474:Neurons / Q000187:drug effects*; D009498:Neurotoxins / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011485:Protein Binding; D050600:SNARE Proteins / Q000187:drug effects; D013744:Tetanus Toxin / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D009498:Neurotoxins; D050600:SNARE Proteins; D013744:Tetanus Toxin; D001905:Botulinum Toxins