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Overview and History of Botulinum Neurotoxin Research

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Molecular Aspects of Botulinum Neurotoxin

Part of the book series: Current Topics in Neurotoxicity ((Current Topics Neurotoxicity,volume 4))

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Abstract

Botulinum neurotoxin is a highly successful therapeutic agent used for the treatment of a range of severe, chronic diseases, and is also widely used and recognised as a cosmetic agent for reduction of facial wrinkles. And yet, this blockbuster therapeutic product is also the most lethal toxin known and a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) category A bioweapons threat. These apparently conflicting applications of the same agent have their origins in the unique biological properties of this fascinating family of proteins. Unravelling the biology of the neurotoxins has informed significant developments in the understanding of the biology of neurotransmission as well as elucidating the basis of both neurotoxin toxicity and therapeutic activity. Establishing the structural basis of neurotoxin activity has further increased understanding of neurotoxin function together with opening up opportunities to engineer the toxins to create proteins of increased therapeutic effect and potential.

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  1. Syntaxin Ltd., Units 4-10 The Quadrant, Barton Lane, OX14 3YS, Abingdon, UK

    Keith A. Foster

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  1. Units 4-10, Syntaxin Ltd., Abingdon, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom

    Keith A. Foster

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Foster, K. (2014). Overview and History of Botulinum Neurotoxin Research. In: Foster, K. (eds) Molecular Aspects of Botulinum Neurotoxin. Current Topics in Neurotoxicity, vol 4. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-9454-6_1

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