Botulinum neurotoxin heavy chain belt as an intramolecular chaperone for the light chain
2007

Botulinum Neurotoxin Heavy Chain Belt as a Chaperone

publication

Author Information

Author(s): Axel T Brunger, Mark A Breidenbach, Rongsheng Jin, Audrey Fischer, Jose S Santos, Mauricio Montal

Primary Institution: The Scripps Research Institute, United States of America

Hypothesis

The belt region of the BoNT HC is a surrogate pseudosubstrate inhibitor of the LC protease and acts as a chaperone during translocation across the endosomal membrane into the cytosol.

Conclusion

The belt region of the botulinum neurotoxin heavy chain may play a crucial role in the translocation process of the light chain into the cytosol.

Supporting Evidence

  • Botulinum neurotoxin is a potent neurotoxin that causes paralysis.
  • The heavy chain of the neurotoxin may assist in the translocation of the light chain into the cytosol.
  • The belt region of the heavy chain may inhibit the light chain's protease activity.

Takeaway

The belt part of the botulinum neurotoxin helps the toxin move into cells and may also stop it from working too soon.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1371/journal.ppat.0020113

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