Chains and fragments of tetanus toxin, and their contribution to toxicity.

1. Single-chain toxin is enzymatically converted into two-chain isotoxins which differ from the precursor by their higher pharmacological activity, acidity and hydrophilicity. The interchain disulfide bridge and the disulfide loop within fragment C have been located at the amino acid level. 2. Independent of the enzymes used, the nicking sites are positioned within a region spanning no more than 17 amino acids. The N- and C-termini of the primary gene product are preserved in the two-chain toxin. The chains have been separated by isoelectric focussing and can be reconstituted to functionally intact toxin. 3. Light chain inhibits neurotransmitter release on different systems. First, permeabilized bovine adrenal chromaffin cells and rat pheochromocytoma (PC 12) cells release catecholamines when exposed to micromolar [Ca2+]. Inhibition is achieved with light chain or reduced two-chain toxin, but not with single-chain toxin or heavy chain. Washing away the light chain does not restitute the Ca2(+)-evoked release. The light chains of tetanus and botulinum A toxin act in a apparently similar, however not identical manner. Second, light but not heavy chain inhibits the release of acetylcholine when injected into Aplysia neurones. 4. The pharmacology of heavy chain is quite different. Ganglioside binding is mediated by its fragment C moiety, and modulated by the adjoining beta 2 piece and by light chain. Heavy chain and to a lesser degree its N-terminal beta 2-fragment promote the loss of calcein from liposomes indicating pore formation. Its C-terminal fragment C is inactive in this respect.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)