Department of Neurology, Tokushima University Graduate School of Medicine, Kuramotocho 2-50-1, Tokushima, Japan.
Parkinsonism Relat Disord. 2011 Nov;17 Suppl 1:S25-7. doi: 10.1016/j.parkreldis.2011.06.017.
Botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT) is composed of the heavy chain with the receptor-binding site and the translocation domain and the light chain with endopeptidase activity that cleaves the SNARE (soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor attachment protein receptor) complex, an essential molecule for membrane fusion. Its extraordinarily high toxicity depends on the affinity of the receptor-binding site to the receptor located inside the synaptosome. The membrane fusion mechanism is important not only in neurotransmitter release at the nerve terminals but also in the expression of pain receptors on the cell surface. Based on these mechanisms, BoNT is increasingly used for varieties of conditions including cosmetic uses, muscle hyperactivity, hyperhydrosis, pain, overactive bladder and epilepsy. It will become a major arm of neuromodulating treatments for neurological diseases. A part of this toxin, such as the heavy chain, may become a novel drug-delivery system for neurodegenerative diseases.
肉毒毒素（BoNT）由具有受体结合位点和易位结构域的重链和具有内切酶活性的轻链组成，该内切酶可切割 SNARE（可溶性 N-乙基马来酰亚胺敏感因子附着蛋白受体）复合物，该复合物是膜融合所必需的分子。其极高的毒性取决于受体结合位点与位于突触小体内的受体的亲和力。膜融合机制不仅在神经末梢的神经递质释放中很重要，而且在细胞表面的痛觉受体表达中也很重要。基于这些机制，BoNT 越来越多地用于各种疾病，包括美容用途、肌肉过度活跃、多汗症、疼痛、膀胱过度活动症和癫痫。它将成为神经调节治疗神经疾病的主要手段之一。这种毒素的一部分，如重链，可能成为神经退行性疾病的新型药物递送系统。
