neurotoxin

Examples of neurotoxin in the following topics:

• Paralysis-Causing Bacterial Neurotoxins

  • Botulinum toxin is a protein and neurotoxin, which blocks neuromuscular transmission through decreased acetylcholine release.
  • Botulinum toxin is a protein and neurotoxin produced by Clostridium botulinum, C. butyricum, C. baratii and C. argentinense.
  • Structure of Botulinum toxin, a protein and neurotoxin produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum

• Regulating Virulence

  • While dividing, C. tetani produce a neurotoxin that is lethal to humans.
  • We can say that the neurotoxin is not directed at the human host.

• Paralysis

  • Many snakes exhibit powerful neurotoxins that can cause non-permanent paralysis or death.
  • Tetrodotoxin, frequently abbreviated as TTX, is a potent neurotoxin with no known antidote, produced by the lethal pufferfish used for Japanese fugu.

• Some Polycyclic Heterocycles

  • The neurotoxins saxitoxin and tetrodotoxin both have marine origins and are characterized by guanidiniun moieties.

• Tetanus

  • The primary symptoms are caused by tetanospasmin, a neurotoxin produced by the Gram-positive, rod-shaped, obligate anaerobic bacterium Clostridium tetani.

• Cholinergic Neurons and Receptors

  • Certain neurotoxins work by inhibiting acetylcholinesterase, leading to excess acetylcholine at the neuromuscular junction.

• Blood-Brain Barrier

  • Neurotoxins such as botulinum toxin in food might affect peripheral nerves, but the BBB can often prevent such toxins from reaching the CNS, where they could cause serious or fatal damage.

• Secondary & Tertiary Structure of Large Peptides and Proteins

  • For example, the following diagram shows the tertiary structure of a polypeptide neurotoxin found in cobra venom.