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Nature 444, 1019-1020 (21 December 2006) | doi:10.1038/nature05410; Published online 13 December 2006

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Structural biology: Dangerous liaisons on neurons

Giampietro Schiavo1

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Crystal structures show that botulinum toxins bind simultaneously to two sites on neurons. This dual interaction allows them to use a Trojan-horse strategy to enter nerve terminals, with deadly effect.

Botulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs) are some of the most deadly substances known to mankind. By blocking nerve function, they cause botulism, a severe condition that may ultimately lead to muscular and respiratory paralysis.

  1. Giampietro Schiavo is at the Molecular Neuropathobiology Laboratory, Cancer Research UK, London Research Institute, 44 Lincoln's Inn Fields, London WC2A 3PX, UK.
    Email: giampietro.schiavo@cancer.org.uk

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