Progress by poisoning
Article Abstract:
Two lethal neurotoxins, tetanus toxin and botulinum-B toxin, act on cells by focusing on synaptobrevin-2, a synaptic vesicle membrane protein. Giampietro Schiavo and co-workers used protein sequencing to show that the closely related toxins inflict cellular damage by separating synaptobrevin-2 from the cells. Though this research is an impressive beginning, many uncertainties about the cellular functioning of synaptobrevin-2 remain to be determined such as its role in targeting.
Publication Name: Nature
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0028-0836
Year: 1992
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
Fast forward to fusion
Article Abstract:
Researchers have identified a new protein, cellubrevin, that helps vesicles transport other proteins. Its vulnerability to the tetanus toxin suggests that every cell is as vulnerable. Other results co-localize cellubrevin with the transferrin receptor and link synaptic, Glut4 and transferrin vesicles, suggesting that the endosome is a major regulator of cell-surface expression. Cellubrevin was located by searching a genomic library for synaptobrevin's homologues.
Publication Name: Nature
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0028-0836
Year: 1993
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
Tetanus and botulinum-B neurotoxins block neurotransmitter release by proteolytic cleavage of synaptobrevin
Article Abstract:
Two clostridial neurotoxins, tetanus toxin and botulinum toxin serotype B, have been identified as zinc endopeptidases that cause disease by preventing the normal secretion of neurotransmitters. The toxins do this by attaching to synaptobrevin, a membrane protein found in the small synaptic vesicles. Consequently, drugs that stop zinc endopeptidases from acting on synaptobrevin may well find use as therapies for tetanus and botulism.
Publication Name: Nature
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0028-0836
Year: 1992
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
- Abstracts: Evolution on fast-forward. Life in a test tube. The habitat and nature of early life
- Abstracts: Animal rights: USA: one step forward... AIDS: commission grows angrier. New contract with DOE laboratories guarantees academic freedoms
- Abstracts: Mapping the way forward. Fast forward for gene therapy. Peripherin and the vision thing
- Abstracts: Serbian researchers labour under tightening collar of UN sanctions. Italians first to use stem cells
- Abstracts: The end of the beginning. A map for cyberspace