Article Review: Botulinum Toxin; Structure and Mechanism of Action

The anaerobic, Gram-positive bacteria Clostridium botulinum produces a neurotoxin known as botulinum toxin (BoNTs). In this review, the botulinum toxin's chemical makeup, mode of action, and various uses—particularly medical ones—are discussed. The induction of flaccid paralysis by botulinum neurotoxins (BoNT) requires internalization of neural cells, translocation of the catalytic domain into the cytosol, and cleavage of one of the three soluble N-ethylmaleimide sensitive factor attachment protein receptors (SNARE). By blocking nerve signals from reaching muscles, botulinum toxin temporarily weakens muscles. An acute paralytic illness known as botulism can result from accidentally consuming high amounts of botulinum toxin, such as from inadequately canned foods. Botulinum toxins are now used to treat a wide range of medical problems, including strabismus, focal dystonias, hemifacial spasm, other spastic movement disorders, migraines, hypersalivation, and hyperhidrosis, as well as numerous chronic ailments that only partially respond to medical treatment. The FDA authorized the use of Botox® (Botulinum toxin-A) in 2002 for the temporary reduction of glabellar forehead frown lines for cosmetic purposes.