Botulinum toxin nerve block mechanism. Cutaway illustration of part 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. Across 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. 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. | |
Lizenzart: | Lizenzpflichtig |
Credit: | Science Photo Library / De Angelis, Maurizio |
Bildgröße: | 5150 px × 3431 px |
Modell-Rechte: | nicht erforderlich |
Eigentums-Rechte: | nicht erforderlich |
Restrictions: | - |