Toxins 2018, 10(5), 190; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxins10050190
Novel Botulinum Neurotoxins: Exploring Underneath the Iceberg Tip
Domenico Azarnia Tehran †,*
and Marco Pirazzini *
and Marco Pirazzini *
Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padova, Via Ugo Bassi 58/B, 35131 Padova, Italy
†
Present address: Leibniz-Forschungsinstitut für Molekulare Pharmakologie (FMP), Robert-Rössle-Straße 10, 13125 Berlin, Germany.
*
Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Received: 15 April 2018 / Revised: 5 May 2018 / Accepted: 8 May 2018 / Published: 10 May 2018
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel BoNTs and Toxin Engineering)
Abstract
Botulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs), the etiological agents of botulism, are the deadliest toxins known to humans. Yet, thanks to their biological and toxicological features, BoNTs have become sophisticated tools to study neuronal physiology and valuable therapeutics for an increasing number of human disorders. BoNTs are produced by multiple bacteria of the genus Clostridium and, on the basis of their different immunological properties, were classified as seven distinct types of toxin. BoNT classification remained stagnant for the last 50 years until, via bioinformatics and high-throughput sequencing techniques, dozens of BoNT variants, novel serotypes as well as BoNT-like toxins within non-clostridial species have been discovered. Here, we discuss how the now “booming field” of botulinum neurotoxin may shed light on their evolutionary origin and open exciting avenues for future therapeutic applications. View Full-TextKeywords:
botulinum neurotoxins; botulism; serotypes; subtype; neuromuscular junction
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Tehran, D.A.; Pirazzini, M. Novel Botulinum Neurotoxins: Exploring Underneath the Iceberg Tip. Toxins 2018, 10, 190.
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