Novel Botulinum Neurotoxins: Exploring Underneath the Iceberg Tip
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 diso...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2018-05-01
|
| Series: | Toxins |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6651/10/5/190 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1849775058172510208 |
|---|---|
| author | Domenico Azarnia Tehran Marco Pirazzini |
| author_facet | Domenico Azarnia Tehran Marco Pirazzini |
| author_sort | Domenico Azarnia Tehran |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | 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 <i>Clostridium</i> 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. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-c77c0e00dd324f429cf1ded73b2000ef |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2072-6651 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2018-05-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Toxins |
| spelling | doaj-art-c77c0e00dd324f429cf1ded73b2000ef2025-08-20T03:01:33ZengMDPI AGToxins2072-66512018-05-0110519010.3390/toxins10050190toxins10050190Novel Botulinum Neurotoxins: Exploring Underneath the Iceberg TipDomenico Azarnia Tehran0Marco Pirazzini1Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padova, Via Ugo Bassi 58/B, 35131 Padova, ItalyDepartment of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padova, Via Ugo Bassi 58/B, 35131 Padova, ItalyBotulinum 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 <i>Clostridium</i> 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.https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6651/10/5/190botulinum neurotoxinsbotulismserotypessubtypeneuromuscular junction |
| spellingShingle | Domenico Azarnia Tehran Marco Pirazzini Novel Botulinum Neurotoxins: Exploring Underneath the Iceberg Tip Toxins botulinum neurotoxins botulism serotypes subtype neuromuscular junction |
| title | Novel Botulinum Neurotoxins: Exploring Underneath the Iceberg Tip |
| title_full | Novel Botulinum Neurotoxins: Exploring Underneath the Iceberg Tip |
| title_fullStr | Novel Botulinum Neurotoxins: Exploring Underneath the Iceberg Tip |
| title_full_unstemmed | Novel Botulinum Neurotoxins: Exploring Underneath the Iceberg Tip |
| title_short | Novel Botulinum Neurotoxins: Exploring Underneath the Iceberg Tip |
| title_sort | novel botulinum neurotoxins exploring underneath the iceberg tip |
| topic | botulinum neurotoxins botulism serotypes subtype neuromuscular junction |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6651/10/5/190 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT domenicoazarniatehran novelbotulinumneurotoxinsexploringunderneaththeicebergtip AT marcopirazzini novelbotulinumneurotoxinsexploringunderneaththeicebergtip |