Tetanus toxin

{
  "id": "MLC-T-CHM-011898",
  "term": "Tetanus toxin",
  "field": "Chemistry",
  "definition": "A potent neurotoxin produced by the bacterium Clostridium tetani that causes the disease tetanus. The toxin acts by cleaving synaptobrevin, a protein involved in neurotransmitter release, thereby blocking the exocytosis of inhibitory neurotransmitters such as glycine and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the central nervous system. This disinhibition of motor neurons results in the characteristic spastic paralysis of the disease, often beginning with lockjaw.",
  "synonyms": [
    "tetanospasmin"
  ],
  "subject": "Chemistry and Human Health",
  "see_also": [
    "neurotoxin",
    "neurotransmitter",
    "tetanus",
    "γ-aminobutyric acid"
  ],
  "references": [
    "PAC, 2015, 87, 841. 'IUPAC Glossary of terms used in neurotoxicology (IUPAC Recommendations 2015)' on page 911 (https://doi.org/10.1515/pac-2015-0103)"
  ],
  "url": "https://mlchart.com/terminology/chemistry/tetanus-toxin/"
}