Small molecule inhibitors as countermeasures for botulinum neurotoxin intoxication
Botulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs) are the most potent of known toxins and are listed as category A biothreat agents by the U.S. CDC. The BoNT-mediated proteolysis of SNARE proteins inhibits the exocytosis of acetylcholine into neuromuscular junctions, leading to life-threatening flaccid paralysis. Curre...
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Published in | Molecules Vol. 16; no. 1; pp. 202 - 220 |
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Main Authors | , , , , , |
Format | Journal Article Book Review |
Language | English |
Published |
Switzerland
MDPI AG
30.12.2010
MDPI |
Subjects | |
Online Access | Get full text |
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Summary: | Botulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs) are the most potent of known toxins and are listed as category A biothreat agents by the U.S. CDC. The BoNT-mediated proteolysis of SNARE proteins inhibits the exocytosis of acetylcholine into neuromuscular junctions, leading to life-threatening flaccid paralysis. Currently, the only therapy for BoNT intoxication (which results in the disease state botulism) includes experimental preventative antibodies and long-term supportive care. Therefore, there is an urgent need to identify and develop inhibitors that will serve as both prophylactic agents and post-exposure 'rescue' therapeutics. This review focuses on recent progress to discover and develop small molecule inhibitors as therapeutic countermeasures for BoNT intoxication. |
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ISSN: | 1420-3049 1420-3049 |
DOI: | 10.3390/molecules16010202 |