Historical Perspectives and Guidelines for Botulinum Neurotoxin Subtype Nomenclature

Abstract

Botulinum neurotoxins are diverse proteins. They are currently represented by at least seven serotypes and more than 40 subtypes. New clostridial strains that produce novel neurotoxin variants are being identified with increasing frequency, which presents challenges when organizing the nomenclature surrounding these neurotoxins. Worldwide, researchers are faced with the possibility that toxins having identical sequences may be given different designations or novel toxins having unique sequences may be given the same designations on publication. In order to minimize these problems, an ad hoc committee consisting of over 20 researchers in the field of botulinum neurotoxin research was convened to discuss the clarification of the issues involved in botulinum neurotoxin nomenclature. This publication presents a historical overview of the issues and provides guidelines for botulinum neurotoxin subtype nomenclature in the future.

Silage fermentation—updates focusing on the performance of micro‐organisms

“…Recently, the presence of the gene coding for botulinum toxin production in mobile elements of DNA (plasmid, phage, transposon or transposon‐like DNA elements) and the horizontal transfer of these elements between strains of Clostridium (Peck et al . ) has been verified. A gene related to botulinum toxin production has also been found in a nonclostridial bacterium ( Weissella oryzae , Chryseobacterium piperi or Enterococcus faecium ) (Popoff ).…”

Crystal Structure of the Receptor-Binding Domain of Botulinum Neurotoxin Type HA, Also Known as Type FA or H

“…The latter could be further divided into two domains: the N-terminal portion (~50 kDa) is the translocation domain (H N ) required for the LC to be released into the cytosol; the C-terminal part (H C ) is the receptor-binding domain responsible for the highly specific binding and endocytosis of BoNT into motoneurons. Among the seven established serotypes of BoNT (BoNT/A-G) [13], more than 40 BoNT subtypes have been identified [14,15] (e.g., BoNT/A1–A8). In addition, two hybrid/mosaic types have been identified: BoNT/CD and BoNT/DC.…”

“…Currently no consensus about the nomenclature of this new toxin has been reached [15]. The scientific debates on this topic are largely due to the lack of understanding of its structure and function at the molecular level.…”

Workgroup Report by the Joint Task Force Involving American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI); Food Allergy, Anaphylaxis, Dermatology and Drug Allergy (FADDA) (Adverse Reactions to Foods Committee and Adverse Reactions to Drugs, Biologicals, and Latex Committee); and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Botulism Clinical Treatment Guidelines Workgroup—Allergic Reactions to Botulinum Antitoxin: A Systematic Review

“…Strains were identified as antigenically distinct if neutralizing antibodies raised by inoculation of an animal with one neurotoxin would not cross-neutralize the neurotoxin formed by another strain [5]. Thus, serum antibody raised for antitoxin against one serotype does not cross-react with other serotypes [5].…”

“…Strains were identified as antigenically distinct if neutralizing antibodies raised by inoculation of an animal with one neurotoxin would not cross-neutralize the neurotoxin formed by another strain [5]. Thus, serum antibody raised for antitoxin against one serotype does not cross-react with other serotypes [5]. Recently, reports of new toxin types have been published, including a novel toxin subsequently shown to be hybrid type A/F fully neutralized by heptavalent botulinum antitoxin (HBAT) [6,7], and a novel toxin identified and assembled from the published gene sequence of a C. botulinum isolate [8].…”