title: Central effects of tetanus and botulinum neurotoxins.
abstract: Tetanus neurotoxin (TeNT) and botulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs; from A to G) are metalloproteases that act on nerve terminals to prevent exocytosis. They are extensively exploited for the study of cellular physiology. Moreover, BoNTs are also employed in clinical neurology for the treatment of several disorders characterized by hyperexcitability of peripheral nerve terminals. This review summarizes recent studies that have provided a deeper understanding of the mode of action of TeNT and BoNTs. TeNT and BoNTs bind with extreme specificity and are internalized at the neuromuscular junction. We first examine the retrograde transport mechanisms by which TeNT gains access to the central nervous system. We also discuss recent findings indicating that, besides their well known local actions at the neuromuscular junction, BoNTs can also affect central circuits.
authors.affiliation: Istituto di Neuroscienze, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, via G. Moruzzi 1, 56100 Pisa, Italy. caleo@in.cnr.it
authors.forename: Matteo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Caleo
authors.forename: Giampietro
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Schiavo
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001905:Botulinum Toxins / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology; D002490:Central Nervous System / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D005089:Exocytosis / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D045726:Metalloproteases / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology; D009046:Motor Neurons / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D009434:Neural Pathways / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D009498:Neurotoxins / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology; D011485:Protein Binding; D009435:Synaptic Transmission / Q000187:drug effects; D013744:Tetanus Toxin / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D009498:Neurotoxins; D013744:Tetanus Toxin; D045726:Metalloproteases; D001905:Botulinum Toxins