Quantcast
ZME Science
  • News
  • Environment
  • Health
  • Future
  • Space
  • Features
    Menu
    Natural Sciences
    Health
    History & Humanities
    Space & Astronomy
    Technology
    Culture
    Resources
    Natural Sciences

    Physics

    • Matter and Energy
    • Quantum Mechanics
    • Thermodynamics

    Chemistry

    • Periodic Table
    • Applied Chemistry
    • Materials
    • Physical Chemistry

    Biology

    • Anatomy
    • Biochemistry
    • Ecology
    • Genetics
    • Microbiology
    • Plants and Fungi

    Geology and Paleontology

    • Planet Earth
    • Earth Dynamics
    • Rocks and Minerals
    • Volcanoes
    • Dinosaurs
    • Fossils

    Animals

    • Mammals
    • Birds
    • Fish
    • Reptiles
    • Amphibians
    • Invertebrates
    • Pets
    • Conservation
    • Animals Facts

    Climate and Weather

    • Climate Change
    • Weather and Atmosphere

    Geography

    Mathematics

    Health
    • Drugs
    • Diseases and Conditions
    • Human Body
    • Mind and Brain
    • Food and Nutrition
    • Wellness
    History & Humanities
    • Anthropology
    • Archaeology
    • Economics
    • History
    • People
    • Sociology
    Space & Astronomy
    • The Solar System
    • The Sun
    • The Moon
    • Planets
    • Asteroids, Meteors and Comets
    • Astronomy
    • Astrophysics
    • Cosmology
    • Exoplanets and Alien Life
    • Spaceflight and Exploration
    Technology
    • Computer Science & IT
    • Engineering
    • Inventions
    • Sustainability
    • Renewable Energy
    • Green Living
    Culture
    • Culture and Society
    • Bizarre Stories
    • Lifestyle
    • Art and Music
    • Gaming
    • Books
    • Movies and Shows
    Resources
    • How To
    • Science Careers
    • Metascience
    • Fringe Science
    • Science Experiments
    • School and Study
    • Natural Sciences
    • Health
    • History and Humanities
    • Space & Astronomy
    • Culture
    • Technology
    • Resources
  • Reviews
  • More
    • Agriculture
    • Anthropology
    • Biology
    • Chemistry
    • Electronics
    • Geology
    • History
    • Mathematics
    • Nanotechnology
    • Economics
    • Paleontology
    • Physics
    • Psychology
    • Robotics
  • About Us
    • About
    • The Team
    • Advertise
    • Contribute
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact
No Result
View All Result
ZME Science

No Result
View All Result
ZME Science

Home → Science → News

Scientists learn how Botox enters brain cells. This could lead to life-saving treatments for botulism

There's more to Botax than just cosmetic enhancements.

Tibi Puiu by Tibi Puiu
May 27, 2023
in Health, News
Edited and reviewed by Zoe Gordon
Botox illustration
Credit: APDA.

When we hear the word “Botox,” our minds often conjure images of wrinkle-free faces and cosmetic enhancements. However, most people — including those who use it for plastic surgery — are not aware of what this drug really does.

Botox is short for Botulinum neurotoxin type-A. It’s actually derived from a deadly biological substance produced by a bacterium called Clostridium botulinum. This bacterium produces a group of toxins known as clostridial neurotoxins, which are among the most potent protein toxins known to humanity.

Researchers at The University of Queensland, led by Professor Frederic Meunier and Dr. Merja Joensuu, have made a groundbreaking discovery regarding how Botox infiltrates brain cells. In the process, they’ve shed light on potential new therapies for botulism—a rare yet potentially fatal bacterial infection.

In order to uncover the crucial molecular mechanism that Botox uses to infiltrate neurons, the researchers used cutting-edge super-resolution microscopy.

During this investigation, they found a key receptor called Synaptotagmin that — in conjunction with two other previously known clostridial neurotoxin receptors — forms a minuscule complex situated on the neurons’ plasma membrane.

Within this complex, the Botulinum toxin exploits an opportunity to infiltrate the synaptic vesicles. These vesicles serve as storehouses for neurotransmitters, which facilitate the communication between neurons. By gaining entry to these synaptic vesicles, Botox maliciously sabotages the communication between nerves and muscle cells, leading to paralysis.

Armed with a comprehensive understanding of how this intricate complex enables toxin internalization, researchers can now explore interventions that disrupt interactions between any two of the three receptors involved. By blocking these interactions, the insidious toxin can be prevented from infiltrating neurons, potentially saving lives in cases of botulism.

While Botox contains the same toxin that causes botulism, Botox products contain much less of the toxin than is needed to cause disease in humans.

Botox was originally developed to address strabismus—a condition affecting the alignment of the eyes. But the injectable drug soon proved effective in alleviating various other ailments. People who suffer from migraines, chronic pain, and spasticity disorders have all experienced relief through Botox treatments.

However, “just how the neurotoxin worked to relax muscles has previously been difficult to track,” Dr. Joensuu remarks.

“We now have a full picture of how these toxins are internalized to intoxicate neurons at therapeutically relevant concentrations,” she added.

The findings appeared in the EMBO Journal.

Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Related posts:
  1. Scientists learn how bone grows atom by atom, which could lead to better osteoporosis treatment
  2. Pharma startup raised the price for a life-saving drug from $13.5 a tablet to $750
  3. Life-saving wristbands monitor epilepsy by detecting and characterizing seizures
  4. School kids show NASA how life-saving EpiPens become poison guns in space
  5. Cytokine storm and T cells might be important targets for COVID-19 antiviral treatments
Tags: botaxbotulism

ADVERTISEMENT
  • News
  • Environment
  • Health
  • Future
  • Space
  • Features
  • Reviews
  • More
  • About Us

© 2007-2021 ZME Science - Not exactly rocket science. All Rights Reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • News
  • Environment
  • Health
  • Future
  • Space
  • Features
    • Natural Sciences
    • Health
    • History and Humanities
    • Space & Astronomy
    • Culture
    • Technology
    • Resources
  • Reviews
  • More
    • Agriculture
    • Anthropology
    • Biology
    • Chemistry
    • Electronics
    • Geology
    • History
    • Mathematics
    • Nanotechnology
    • Economics
    • Paleontology
    • Physics
    • Psychology
    • Robotics
  • About Us
    • About
    • The Team
    • Advertise
    • Contribute
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact

© 2007-2021 ZME Science - Not exactly rocket science. All Rights Reserved.

Don’t you want to get smarter every day?

YES, sign me up!

Over 35,000 subscribers can’t be wrong. Don’t worry, we never spam. By signing up you agree to our privacy policy.

✕
ZME Science News

FREE
VIEW