Marine toxins potently affecting neurotransmitter release

Frédéric A. Meunier (1) , César Mattei (2, 3, 4) , Jordi Molgó (2, 3)

1 Queensland Brain Institute and School of Biomedical Sciences
2 NBCM - Laboratoire de neurobiologie cellulaire et moléculaire
3 INAF - Institut de Neurobiologie Alfred Fessard
4 Délégation Générale pour l'Armement

Synapses are specialised structures where interneuronal communication takes place. Not only brain function is absolutely dependent on synaptic activity, but also most of our organs are intimately controlled by synaptic activity. Synapses re therefore an ideal target to act upon and poisonous species have evolved fascinating neurotoxins capable of shutting down neuronal communication by blocking or activating essential components of the synapse. By hijacking key proteins of the communication machinery, neurotoxins are therefore extremely valuable tools that have, in turn, greatly helped our understanding of synaptic biology. Moreover, analysis and understanding of the molecular strategy used by certain neurotoxins has allowed the design of entirely new classes of drugs acting on specific targets with high selectivity and efficacy. This chapter will discuss the different classes of marine neurotoxins, their effects on neurotransmitter release and how they act to incapacitate key steps in the process leading to synaptic vesicle fusion.

Mots clés: Drug discovery; marine toxins

Domaines: Neurosciences [q-bio.NC]

Frédéric A. Meunier, César Mattei, Jordi Molgó. Marine toxins potently affecting neurotransmitter release. Fusetani N. & Kem W. Marine Toxins as Research Tools, Springer Verlag, Heidelberg, Germany, pp.159-86, 2009, Progress in Molecular and Subcellular biology, Marine Molecular Biotechnology, ⟨10.1007/978-3-540-87895-7⟩. ⟨hal-00348278⟩