BOTULINUM NEUROTOXINS - MECHANISM OF ACTION AND THERAPEUTIC APPLICATIONS

Recent studies have led to the discovery of the molecular lesions in m otor neurons caused by botulinum neurotoxins. These neurotoxins are me talloproteinases that enter the cytosol and very specifically cleave p rotein components of the neuroexocytosis apparatus, Consequently, acet ylcholine cannot be released and the muscle is paralysed. For this rea son, botulinum neurotoxins are increasingly being used to treat a vari ety of conditions where a functional paralysis of neuromuscular juncti ons is useful as therapy.