Structure Based Discovery of Pan Active Botulinum Neurotoxin Inhibitors
- Brookhaven National Lab. (BNL), Upton, NY (United States). Dept. of Biology
- Brookhaven National Lab. (BNL), Upton, NY (United States). Dept. of Biology; Stony Brook Univ., NY (United States). Dept. of Biochemistry and Structural Biology, Medical Scientist Training Program
- Univ. of Georgia, Athens, GA (United States). SER-CAT and Dept. of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Clostridium botulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs) released by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum are the most potent toxins causing the fatal disease called botulism. There are seven distinct serotypes of BoNTs (A to G) released by various strains of botulinum. They all have high sequence homology and similar three-dimensional structure. The toxicity of BoNT follows a four-step process – binding, internalization, translocation, and cleavage of its target protein, one of the three components of the SNARE complex (Soluble N-ethylmaleimde-sensitive factor attachment protein receptor) required for membrane docking and neurotransmitter release. Cleavage of one of the three proteins causes blockage of neurotransmitter release leading to flaccid paralysis. Though anyone of the above four steps could be a target for developing antidotes for botulism, the catalytic domain is the most suitable target for post exposure treatment. Of the seven serotypes BoNT/A, B, E and probably F affect humans, with BoNT/A considered to be the most potent. Development of drugs for botulism is focused on serotype specific inhibitors, but a pan-active inhibitor acting on several serotypes is preferable since it is difficult to identify the serotype before the treatment, especially since there is at least a 36-hour window before botulism can be diagnosed. Using structure-based drug discovery, we have developed three heptapeptides based on the SNARE proteins which inhibit BoNT/A, B and E equally well. Probable reasons for pan-activity of these peptides are discussed.
- Research Organization:
- Brookhaven National Lab. (BNL), Upton, NY (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE Office of Science (SC), Basic Energy Sciences (BES); USDOD; Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA)
- Grant/Contract Number:
- SC0012704; AC02-98CH10886
- OSTI ID:
- 1425108
- Report Number(s):
- BNL-203310-2018-JAAM
- Journal Information:
- Structure Based Discovery of Pan Active Botulinum Neurotoxin Inhibitors, Vol. 6, Issue 1; ISSN 2332-0877
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Peptide inhibitors of botulinum neurotoxin serotype A: design, inhibition, cocrystal structures, structure-activity relationship and pharmacophore modeling
Interactions of a potent cyclic peptide inhibitor with the light chain of botulinum neurotoxin A: insights from x-ray crystallography