Zebrafish in neurotoxin research: Insights into botulinum toxicity, mechanisms, and therapy

IF 3.5 3区医学 Q2 FOOD SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

Food and Chemical Toxicology Pub Date : 2025-08-14 DOI:10.1016/j.fct.2025.115704

Khadija A. Mohammed , Stanley U. Nwawuba , Julia Canzian , Barbara D. Fontana , Denis B. Rosemberg , Isaac A. Adedara

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Botulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs) are highly potent biological toxins produced by Clostridium botulinum and related species. They act by inhibiting the release of acetylcholine at the neuromuscular junction, leading to paralysis. Due to their ability to modulate synaptic activity, BoNTs have been widely studied for their toxicological properties, as well as their medical and cosmetic applications, including the treatment of neuromuscular disorders, chronic pain, and aesthetic concerns. The zebrafish (Danio rerio) has gained prominence in BoNT research, particularly due to its genetic tractability and suitability for high-throughput screening, making it an effective model for studying BoNT effects at molecular, cellular, and behavioral levels. This review explores the role of zebrafish in neurotoxin research, highlighting its utility in studying BoNT toxicity, synaptic mechanisms, gene silencing applications, and therapeutic interventions. We discuss zebrafish-based studies that provide insights into BoNT-induced behavioral and cognitive effects. Additionally, we examine how zebrafish facilitate high-throughput screening for BoNT-related compounds and antitoxins. Despite the contributions of zebrafish-based models in neurotoxicology, further research is needed to fully elucidate BoNT mechanisms and optimize a putative therapeutic potential.

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斑马鱼在神经毒素研究：洞察肉毒杆菌毒性，机制和治疗。

肉毒杆菌神经毒素（BoNTs）是由肉毒梭菌及其相关物种产生的强效生物毒素。它们通过抑制神经肌肉连接处乙酰胆碱的释放而起作用，导致瘫痪。由于其调节突触活动的能力，bont已被广泛研究其毒理学特性，以及其医疗和美容应用，包括治疗神经肌肉疾病，慢性疼痛和美学问题。斑马鱼（Danio rerio）在BoNT研究中获得了突出地位，特别是由于其遗传易感性和高通量筛选的适用性，使其成为研究BoNT在分子，细胞和行为水平上作用的有效模型。本文综述了斑马鱼在神经毒素研究中的作用，重点介绍了斑马鱼在BoNT毒性研究、突触机制、基因沉默应用和治疗干预方面的应用。我们讨论了基于斑马鱼的研究，这些研究提供了对bont诱导的行为和认知影响的见解。此外，我们研究了斑马鱼如何促进bont相关化合物和抗毒素的高通量筛选。尽管基于斑马鱼的神经毒理学模型做出了贡献，但需要进一步的研究来充分阐明BoNT的机制并优化其假定的治疗潜力。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Food and Chemical Toxicology 工程技术-毒理学

CiteScore

10.90

自引率

4.70%

发文量

651

审稿时长

31 days

期刊介绍： Food and Chemical Toxicology (FCT), an internationally renowned journal, that publishes original research articles and reviews on toxic effects, in animals and humans, of natural or synthetic chemicals occurring in the human environment with particular emphasis on food, drugs, and chemicals, including agricultural and industrial safety, and consumer product safety. Areas such as safety evaluation of novel foods and ingredients, biotechnologically-derived products, and nanomaterials are included in the scope of the journal. FCT also encourages submission of papers on inter-relationships between nutrition and toxicology and on in vitro techniques, particularly those fostering the 3 Rs. The principal aim of the journal is to publish high impact, scholarly work and to serve as a multidisciplinary forum for research in toxicology. Papers submitted will be judged on the basis of scientific originality and contribution to the field, quality and subject matter. Studies should address at least one of the following: -Adverse physiological/biochemical, or pathological changes induced by specific defined substances -New techniques for assessing potential toxicity, including molecular biology -Mechanisms underlying toxic phenomena -Toxicological examinations of specific chemicals or consumer products, both those showing adverse effects and those demonstrating safety, that meet current standards of scientific acceptability. Authors must clearly and briefly identify what novel toxic effect (s) or toxic mechanism (s) of the chemical are being reported and what their significance is in the abstract. Furthermore, sufficient doses should be included in order to provide information on NOAEL/LOAEL values.