Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 14, 2026

A High Content Imaging Assay for Identification of Botulinum Neurotoxin Inhibitors
Published on: November 14, 2014
Toosendanin interferes with pore formation of botulinum toxin type A in PC12 cell membrane
1Institute of Physiology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai.
Aim:
Botulinum neurotoxins (BoNT) abort the process of neurotransmitter release at presynaptic motor nerve terminals, causing muscle paralysis. The ability of botulinum toxin to produce its effect is dependent on the ability of the light chain to cleave the SNARE proteins associated with transmitter release. Translocation of the light chain protease through the heavy chain-formed channel is a pivotal step in the intoxication process. Toosendanin (TSN), a triterpenoid derivative extracted from a Chinese traditional medicine, has been demonstrated to be an effective cure for experimental botulism. This study was designed to explore the antibotulismic mechanisms of toosendanin.
Methods:
The inside-out single-channel recording patch-clamp technique was used to record the BoNT/A-induced currents in the presence and absence of TSN.
Results:
Channel formation was delayed and the sizes of the channels were reduced in the TSN-treated PC12 cell membrane.
Conclusion:
The antibotulismic effect of TSN might occur via interference with toxin translocation.
More Related Videos
15:05Functional Evaluation of Biological Neurotoxins in Networked Cultures of Stem Cell-derived Central Nervous System Neurons
Published on: February 5, 2015
10:30A High-throughput-compatible FRET-based Platform for Identification and Characterization of Botulinum Neurotoxin Light Chain Modulators
Published on: December 27, 2013
Related Concept Videos
Botulism
Directly Acting Muscle Relaxants: Dantrolene and Botulinum Toxin
The binding of dantrolene to the RYR1...
Tetanus
Depolarizing Blockers: Mechanism of Action
Succinylcholine is the most commonly used depolarizing blocker. Chemically, it constitutes two molecules of acetylcholine joined together by an acetate methyl group. They act on the receptors in the same way as acetylcholine. Because succinylcholine...
Destabilization of Microtubules
Depolarizing Blockers: Pharmocokinetics