Bijjam, Rohini, Shorter, Susan, Bratt, Alison M., O’Leary, Valerie B., Ntziachristos, Vasilis and Ovsepian, Saak Victor (2024) Neurotoxin-derived optical probes for elucidating molecular and developmental biology of neurons and synaptic connections: toxin-derived optical probes for neuroimaging. Molecular Imaging and Biology, 26. pp. 912-925. ISSN 1536-1632 (Print), 1860-2002 (Online) (doi:10.1007/s11307-024-01954-6)

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Abstract

Botulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs) and tetanus toxin (TeTX) are the deadliest biological substances that cause botulism and tetanus, respectively. Their astonishing potency and capacity to enter neurons and interfere with neurotransmitter release at presynaptic terminals have attracted much interest in experimental research of neurobiology and clinical use. Fused with reporter proteins or labelled with fluorophores, BoNTs and TeTX and their non-toxic fragments also offer remarkable opportunities to visualize cellular processes and functions in neurons and synaptic connections. This study presents the state-of-the-art optical probes derived from BoNTs and TeTX and discusses their applications in molecular and synaptic biology and neurodevelopmental research. It reviews the principal approaches of design and production of probes, discusses their applications with advantages and limitations, and considers prospects for future improvements. The unique characteristics of discussed probes and reporters make them an integral part of the expanding toolkit for molecular neuroimaging, promoting the discovery process in neurobiology and translational neurosciences.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	fluorescent probes, fusion proteins, optical imaging, molecular trafficking, SNARE proteins, retrograde transport, advanced biomaterials
Subjects:	Q Science > Q Science (General)
Faculty / School / Research Centre / Research Group:	Faculty of Engineering & Science Faculty of Engineering & Science > School of Science (SCI)
Last Modified:	04 Mar 2025 15:27
URI:	http://gala.gre.ac.uk/id/eprint/49926

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