Botulinum Neurotoxins Research Paper

Botulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs) are the most potent toxins known and the causative agent of botulism. Their exceptional toxicity is caused by the highly efficient inhibition of neurotransmitter release at the neuromuscular junction. High affinity binding of BoNTs is mediated by the simultaneous interaction with lipid embedded synaptic vesicle proteins and gangliosides the presynaptic membrane according to the well-established dual-receptor binding model. One peculiarity that is especially pronounced in BoNT serotypes B, DC, and G – which all use synaptotagmin as a common protein-receptor – is the occurrence of a distinct hydrophobic loop located between the ganglioside and protein receptor sites. Both its location and hydrophobic character have