Clostrodium Botulinum

Clostridium Botulinum

Abstract

Toxin is a any chemical or substance that are produced by different sources, which cause

necrosis of cell & tissue injury. As per the definition toxin is consider as the dangerous or lethal substance to human health & body. But nowdays research has been undergone that how a toxin can be use as the helpful to the mankind. From many of the years it has been studied that if toxin is use properly, it can also act as medicine. There are many reserches are carried out to find saffer any potential toxin, but only some can use succesfully like Botulinum Toxin, Exenatide, Tirofiban, etc. The main of this article to give data regading the Clostrodium Botulinum toxins use as medicines.

Introduction

Botulism is caused by a group of anaerobic spore-forming organisms called Clostridium botulinum. This is classified as a single species but consists of at least three genetically distinguishable groups of organisms that have been recognized as toxic for humans. They share the ability to produce neurotoxins with similar pharmacological activities but diverse serologic properties. The toxin types are classified as A, B, C, D, E, F and G. Human botulism has been described with the strains of Clostridium botulinum that produce toxin types A, B and E. Less frequently, cases involving type F toxin produced by C. baratii and type E toxin produced by C. Butyricum.

Botulism is caused by seven immunologically distinct toxins (A-F) produced by the gram-positive bacillus Clostridium botulinum, or rarely C. butyricum (type E toxin) and C.baratii (type F toxin). The toxins irreversibly block acetylcholine transmission across the neuromuscular junction and cause a characteristic syndrome. Recovery reflects reinnervation of paralyzed muscle fibers, which can takes weeks or months in an adult.

Main Toxins

Although the seven neurotoxins (A, B, C, D, E, F and G) are genetically distinct, they possess similar molecular weights and have a common subunit structure. The complete amino acid sequences of the various serotypes are becoming known. Regions of sequence homology among the serotypes and between botulinum toxins and tetanus toxin, suggest that they all employ similar mechanisms of action. The toxins are synthesized as single chain polypeptides with a molecular mass of approximately 150 kDa. In this form, the toxin molecules have relatively little potency as neuromuscular agents. Neurotoxin activation requires a two-step modification in the tertiary structure of the protein.

Etiologic Agent

C. botulinum forms spores which can survive under a wide range of adverse environmental conditions including boiling. The higher temperatures (>120.5°C/250.5°F) that can be achieved