Botulinum Neurotoxin (BoNT) therapeutics: Time to think outside the BoNT?. (18th February 2010)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Larsen, Joseph C.
• Is Part Of: Botulinum journal. Volume 1:Number 3(2009)
• Page Start: 261
• Page End: 269
• Publication Date: 2010-02-18
• Subjects: BoNT inhibitors -- botulinum neurotoxins -- therapeutic -- host directed -- toxin biology -- BoNT pathogenesis -- botulism treatment -- molecular mechanisms -- neuronal cells; Botulinum toxin -- Periodicals; Clostridium botulinum -- Periodicals; Drug development -- Periodicals; 615.9529364
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1754-7318

Abstract

The development of small molecule inhibitors of Botulinum Neurotoxin (BoNT) has been a robust focus of biodefence research funding. Despite an intense effort, no compounds have been identified that would be suitable for extensive preclinical testing. Due to the emphasis on BoNT inhibitor development, research into other aspects of toxin biology may have been overlooked. In particular, the molecular mechanisms that neuronal cells utilise to respond to the presence of BoNT has been an area that, to date, is a significant gap in our understanding of BoNT pathogenesis. An elucidation of these pathways could lay the foundation for the identification of novel targets for the treatment of botulism.