The Janus faces of botulinum neurotoxin: sensational medicine and deadly biological weapon.
The botulinum neurotoxins are the most dangerous toxins known (BoNTs serotypes A-G) and induce profound flaccid neuromuscular paralysis by blocking nerve-muscle communication. Poisoned motoneurons react by emitting a sprouting network known to establish novel functional synapses with the abutting muscle fiber. Understanding how our motoneurons are capable of bypassing such transmission blockade, thereby overcoming paralysis, by an astonishing display of plasticity is one of the research goals that have numerous therapeutic ramifications. This Mini-Review aims at giving a brief update on the recent discoveries regarding the molecular mechanism of botulinum toxins intoxication. Curing botulism still is a challenge once the toxin has found his way inside motoneurons. In view of the potential use of botulinum toxins as biological weapon, more research is needed to find efficient ways of curing this disease.
Osborne
Shona L
SL
Molecular Dynamics of Synaptic Function Laboratory, School of Biomedical Sciences, and Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Australia.
Latham
Catherine F
CF
Wen
Peter J
PJ
Cavaignac
Sonia
S
Fanning
Jonathon
J
Foran
Patrick G
PG
Meunier
Frederic A
FA
D000818:Animals; D001905:Botulinum Toxins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use / Q000633:toxicity*; D002618:Chemical Warfare; D006801:Humans; D008954:Models, Biological; D009046:Motor Neurons / Q000187:drug effects; D009469:Neuromuscular Junction / Q000187:drug effects; D020258:Neurotoxicity Syndromes / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D009498:Neurotoxins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use / Q000633:toxicity*
D009498:Neurotoxins; D001905:Botulinum Toxins