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The effects of botulinum toxin on the synthesis, storage and release of acetylcholine

1980; Elsevier BV; Volume: 14; Issue: 2-3 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1016/0301-0082(80)90019-2

1873-5118

Cameron B. Gundersen,

Cancer Treatment and Pharmacology

Botulinum toxin is a presynaptically-acting polypeptide neurotoxin. The toxin causes an almost complete inhibition of evoked transmitter release from cholinergic nerve endings. Characteristics inhibition by the toxin of the quantal and nonquantal components of resting ACh output have also been described. In this context botulinum toxin has been a valuable probe of the transmitter release process. Under certain circumstances an effect of the toxin on ACh synthesis has also been found. A postulate has been advanced which could account for these multiple actions of botulinum toxin, and several tests of this nodel have been outlined. Regardless of the validity of the proposal, the avenues of pursuit which it suggests could lead to a firmer understanding of the mechanism of action of botulinum toxin and of the functioning of cholinergic nerve terminals.