Tetanus blocked in mice Tetanus (TeNT) and botulinum (BoNT) neurotoxins represent a family of powerful bacterial protein toxins that cause tetanus and botulism in humans and animals. The molecular mechanisms responsible for the entry and axonal retrograde transport of these toxins have been the subject of intense research. However, tetanus and botulism remain incurable, at least in part because of their high-affinity binding to synapses. Although the receptors for BoNT have recently been characterized at the molecular level, no protein receptor for TeNT at the neuromuscular junction has been identified. Research published today in Science now suggests that TeNT exploits nidogen proteins for its binding to motor neurons. This binding is required for TeNTs internalization and axonal retrograde transport. Nidogens are extracellular matrix proteins that engage in multiple protein-protein interactions essential for the integrity of several tissues, including the nervous system. Interfering with the interaction between nidogens and TeNT by administering short nidogen-derived peptides blocked toxin binding to the neuromuscular junction and protected mice from tetanus. Paper Abstract at: sciencemag.org/content/346/6213/1118
Posted on: Fri, 28 Nov 2014 20:20:15 +0000
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