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Tetanus
New research on tetanus from H.A. Behrensdorfnicol and co-authors summarized
September 3rd, 2008
"The light chain of tetanus neurotoxin (TeNT) is a zinc-dependent metalloprotease which specifically cleaves the synaptic vesicle protein synaptobrevin. This crucial mechanism of tetanus toxicity leads to a blockade of inhibitory neurotransmitter release," investigators in Langen, Germany report. "We recently reported the development of a highly sensitive endopeptidase assay for the specific in vitro detection of active TeNT based on this proteolytic feature. Using this method, we could show that formaldehyde-inactivated TeNT preparations (toxoids), which are used for the production of tetanus vaccines, contain a high residual synaptobrevin-cleaving activity. Such an...
Source: Vaccine Weekly (2008-09-03)
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