Drug Target For The Most Potent Botulinum Neurotoxin Determined

**Botulinum neurotoxin** -- responsible for the deadly **food poisoning disease botulism** and for the beneficial effects of smoothing out facial wrinkles - can also be used as a dreaded **biological weapon**. When ingested or inhaled, less than a billionth of an ounce can cause **muscle paralysis** and eventual death. Although experimental vaccines administered prior to exposure can inhibit the destructive action of this neurotoxin - the **most deadly protein** known to humans -- no effective pharmacological treatment exists. More "Sciencedaily":[ http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080429102646.htm]

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