Scientists solve the mystery of how Botox attacks nerves and eliminate...( rotein was actually bound to more than ...)

rotein was actually bound to more than two-dozen sites on the enzyme. "Such an extensive interface between a neurotoxin and its target is unheard of," Brunger said. "What botulinum A has accomplished with this large interaction area is a high degree of specificity with just a single unit. Often in biology such specificity is accomplished by having large complexes of auxiliary proteins working together, but these bacteria use a very simple mechanism-in this case, a single protein. It's an extremely clever machinery."

New applications

Brunger hopes to determine the structures of other botulinum enzymes, along with a closely related neurotoxin that causes tetanus, another serious muscular disorder that affects hundreds of thousands of people worldwide every year.

"Perhaps one could develop drugs that would treat botulism and tetanus by competing with specific binding sites on the surface of the neurotoxin,'' he said. ''The idea is that you could inject people with a compound that would have an immediate effect."

Further research also could open the door to novel medical applications, Brunger added. For example, recent experiments have shown that Botox may be useful for treating ringing in the ears (tinnitus), urinary incontinence and excess scarring that occurs when a wound heals.

"This whole field is very young and evolving, and the picture we have so far is incomplete," he concluded.

'"/>

Contact: Mark Shwartz
mshwartz@stanford.edu
650-723-9296
Stanford University
12-Dec-2004

Page: 1 2 3
Related biology news :

1. Scientists show that mitochondrial DNA variants are linked to risk factors for type 2 diabetes
2. Scientists prove that disputed Korean stem cell line comes from an unfertilized egg and not cloning
3. Scientists move closer to bio-engineered bladders
4. Scientists find stem cell switch
5. Scientists discover new way to study nanostructures
6. Scientists a step closer to understanding how anaesthetics work in the brain
7. Scientists to make news at Computational Biology Conference
8. Accident-prone? Scientists link brain function to knee injuries
9. Scientists take next step in understanding potential target for ovarian cancer treatment
10. Scientists find brown fat master switch
11. Scientists identify 2 distinct Parkinsons networks