How botox binds to neurons
Botulinum neurotoxin A, better known as botox, is a highly dangerous toxin that causes paralysis in man that may prove fatal. In cosmetic applications the paralysing action of small doses is used in a specific manner for the temporary elimination of wrinkles and in medicine as a treatment for migraine or to correct strabismus. An international research team from the Paul Scherrer Institute, Utrecht University and the pharmaceutical company UCB has now taken an important step towards understanding the action of botulinum neurotoxin A. They have determined the x-ray crystal structure of a protein complex which clearly shows how the toxin molecule binds to the protein receptor, synaptic vesicle protein 2. The findings may prove useful for the development of improved botox drugs with a lower risk of overdosage. The structure was determined at the Swiss Light Source synchrotron at the Paul Scherrer Institute. The findings are to be published...