Botulinum toxin nerve block mechanism. Cutaway illustration of a nerve axon terminal and the mechanism by which the botulinum toxin (green) causes ner

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Botulinum toxin nerve block mechanism. Cutaway illustration of a nerve axon terminal and the mechanism by which the botulinum toxin (green) causes nerve paralysis. Inside the nerve are vesicles (spheres) of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, with ion channels (blue) in the membrane. At lower centre, are SNARE proteins (blue strands) that act at the synaptic junction at the terminal end of the axon to promote the successful release of acetylcholine (one vesicle shown merging with membrane). The toxin breaks these SNARE proteins, preventing the release of acetylcholine and resulting in paralysis of muscles and nerves. This can be swiftly fatal, but is also used in small amounts in medicine.

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Size: 5150px × 3431px
Photo credit: © MAURIZIO DE ANGELIS/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

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