The pathogenesis of the nerve paralysis induced by botulinum neurotoxins begins with their specific and high-affinity binding to peripheral nerve terminals. The new crystal structure of the toxin bound to its glycosylated receptor, presented in this issue, represents a major step forward in the understanding of how botulinum neurotoxin type A1, the toxin used in human therapy and cosmetics, binds its protein receptor.
- Cesare Montecucco
- Giuseppe Zanotti
