Synapse Physiopathology: what have we learned from the snake presynaptic PLA2 neurotoxins? What else can they tell us?
Event details
| Date | 08.11.2010 |
| Speaker | Cesare Montecucco, University of Padova |
| Category | Conferences - Seminars |
Snake envenomation is a major, though forgotten, sanitary problem in many part of the world. Neurotoxins and myotoxins endowed with phospholipase A2 activity are major components of snake venoms. The mechanism of degeneration of the nerve terminal degeneration caused by the PLA2 snake neurotoxins will be presented and shown to be dependent upon the effect of the accumulation of lysophospholipids and fatty acids on the presynaptic membranes. This induces fusion of ready to release synaptic vesicles and then increase of membrane permeability to calcium ions which causes massive neuroexocytosis. Some of these neurotoxins are then able to enter nerve terminals and inhibit mitochondria. This degeneration will be discussed in the light of the possible use of these neurotoxins to study the cellular mechanisms involved in regeneration of peripheral nerve terminals.
Practical information
- General public
- Free
Organizer
- Gisou van der Goot