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Botulinum neurotoxin B–host receptor recognition: it takes two receptors to tango

Nature Structural & Molecular Biology volume 14, pages 9–10 (2007)Cite this article

Two independent crystal structure analyses have resolved the detailed interactions between botulinum neurotoxin serotype B and its neuronal receptor, synaptotagmin. The studies show how the toxin binds synaptotagmin and, along with previously determined interactions with the ganglioside GT1b, a coreceptor, explain the toxin's extreme toxicity and tropism for neurons.

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Figure 1: Binding and entry of BoNT/B at peripheral nerve endings.
Figure 2: Orientation of BoNT/B–receptor complex in the lumen of the endosome.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. the Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics and Jung-Ja P. Kim is in the Department of Biochemistry, Medical College of Wisconsin, 8701 Watertown Plank Rd., Milwaukee, 53226, Wisconsin, USA

    Michael R Baldwin, Jung-Ja P Kim & Joseph T Barbieri

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  1. Michael R Baldwin
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  2. Jung-Ja P Kim
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  3. Joseph T Barbieri
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Baldwin, M., Kim, JJ. & Barbieri, J. Botulinum neurotoxin B–host receptor recognition: it takes two receptors to tango. Nat Struct Mol Biol 14, 9–10 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1038/nsmb0107-9

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