Tetanus toxin is a potent neurotoxin that is taken up by presynaptic terminals at the neuromuscular junction, travels retrogradely within motor neurons and is transported transsynaptically to spinal cord interneurons. Upon entering the motor neuron, tetanus toxin associates with lipid rafts, is incorporated into non-acidified vesicles, sorted in a Rab 5/7 dependent pathway and transported to the cell body. The toxin is trancytosed so that it enters upstream inhibitory neurons where it cleaves VAMP-2, inhibiting neurotransmitter release. Tetanus toxin inhibits neurotransmitter release with great potency and selectivity, cleaving a bond in vesicle-associated membrane protein-2 (VAMP-2) or synaptobrevin-2, thereby preventing the fusion of synaptic vesicles with the presynaptic membrane. Tetanus toxoid is currently used as a vaccine to produce immunity to tetanus, the disease caused by Clostridium tetani. Additionally, tetanus toxoid functions as a carrier of conjugated polysaccharides in the development of vaccines against encapsulated bacterial pathogens. Tetanus toxin C-fragment consists of the C-terminal portion of the heavy chain of tetanus toxin. Although it is non toxic, it retains the binding and internalization properties associated with intact tetanus toxin. These properties make C-fragment and its conjugates useful in tracing nerve fiber connections in the CNS. Source: Tetanus Toxin from Clostridium tetani Storage and Stability: Lyophilized powder may be stored at 4C. Reconstitute with sterile ddH2O. Aliquot to avoid repeated freezing and thawing. Store at 4C. Reconstituted product is stable for 6 months at 4C. For maximum recovery of product, centrifuge the original vial after thawing and prior to removing the cap. Further dilutions can be made in assay buffer.
Molecular Weight:
150
Purity:
80%. Single band when run on 4-20% polyacrylamide SOS gels prepared
Form:
Supplied as a lyophilized powder from 20mM HEPES, pH 7.4, 1.25% lactose. Reconstitute with 250ul or 1ml sterile ddH2O.
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