The botulinum toxin complex meets E-cadherin on the way to its destination.

Botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT) causes the disease botulism, which is characterized by flaccid paralysis, in humans and animals. The metalloprotease activity of BoNT inhibits neurotransmitter release at neuro-muscular junctions. In most cases, poisoning occurs when BoNT is ingested. Therefore, BoNT must pass through the epithelial barrier of the gastrointestinal tract to enter the systemic circulation and reach the target site. BoNT forms large protein complexes by associating with non-toxic components referred to as non-toxic non-hemagglutinin (NTNH) and hemagglutinin (HA). These proteins protect BoNT from the low pH and proteases in the digestive tract. We recently determined that HA has an unexpected function of disrupting the intercellular epithelial barrier by directly binding to E-cadherin. HA binds to E-cadherin and disrupts its function in a species-specific manner, and this interaction is essential to disrupt tight junctions. This activity is thought to facilitate the absorption of BoNT through the paracellular route of the intestinal epithelium in susceptible species.