Tetanus fun fact! It functions as a precision set of molecular "scissors" and cleaves the synaptobrevin2/VAMP protein complex SNARE in inhibitory interneurons. The SNARE complex is responsible for the exocytosis of neurotransmitters, and the inhibitor neurons basically send the "off" signal to the rests of your neurons and tells them to stop firing. The degradation of the synaptobrevin protein prevents these signals from being sent causing massive overreactions in muscles to any and all stimuli. The really cool part is because the toxin is so specifically targeted to this specific type of cell, parts of it are being co-opted to deliver medications in a targeted fashion!
Ladranix t1_jdg57cn wrote
Reply to comment by Roguewolfe in TIL that the Hemlock Water Dropwort is the most poisonous plant in the UK. Its poison constricts the muscles, causing death by asphyxia, which also causes a rictus like death grin. Use of this plant in Phoenician Sardinia for executions is the origin of the term "Sardonic Grin". by AspireAgain
Tetanus fun fact! It functions as a precision set of molecular "scissors" and cleaves the synaptobrevin2/VAMP protein complex SNARE in inhibitory interneurons. The SNARE complex is responsible for the exocytosis of neurotransmitters, and the inhibitor neurons basically send the "off" signal to the rests of your neurons and tells them to stop firing. The degradation of the synaptobrevin protein prevents these signals from being sent causing massive overreactions in muscles to any and all stimuli. The really cool part is because the toxin is so specifically targeted to this specific type of cell, parts of it are being co-opted to deliver medications in a targeted fashion!