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Abstract
Neurotoxins include, in the most general sense, all molecules that destroy or inhibit the proper functioning of the nervous system. Neurotoxins from animals and plants include alkaloids and peptides, many of which interact with physiological processes in a selective manner. The majority of neurotoxins disrupt the transmission of signals in the nervous system by interfering with synaptic transmission. Neurotoxins can act presynaptically to inhibit the release, uptake and recycling of neurotransmitters or postsynaptically, binding to receptors on the postsynaptic membrane and preventing their activation by neurotransmitters. A class of neurotoxins from plants and animals interact with nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, either at the neuromuscular junction, peripherally at neuronal ganglia or centrally, to produce neurotoxic effects. In this article we review current knowledge of some of these neurotoxins, their structure, pharmacology, importance as pharmaceutical tools as well as future prospects for the development of therapeutic molecules.
Financial & competing interests disclosure
This work was supported by Swiss National Science Foundation awards to Ron C Hogg and Daniel Bertrand. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.
No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.