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The tetanus toxin is produced by the bacteria ''Clostridium tetani''. Clostridium bacteria produces distinct neurotoxins that are extremely potent to humans. This bacillus bacteria's spores are widely found in nature, particularly in soil. It enters the body through cuts or abrasion of the skin. The Clostridium bacteria produces two types of neurotoxins. Both ''Clostridium botulinum'' and ''Clostridium tetani'' form the clostridial neurotoxin family [Krishnamurthy et al., 2005]. This family is classified as part of the peptidase M27 family of proteins, which are metalloproteases. Metalloproteases bind with a divalent cation, usually zinc, which activates water molecules within the active site to hydrolyze peptide bonds [PDB].

The tetanus toxin effects the central nervous system by inhibiting the release of neurotransmitters, glycine and gamma-aminobutyric acid, into the synaptic cleft of the spinal cord. This toxin causes tetanus, which is characterized by rigidity, spasms, and paralysis of the voluntary muscles of the body [Krishnamurthy et al., 2005]. Tetanus is often referred to as "lockjaw" because a large majority of the patients experience rigidity of the jaw muscles.

The tetanus toxin effects the central nervous system by inhibiting the release of neurotransmitters, glycine and gamma-aminobutyric acid, into the synaptic cleft of the spinal cord affecting the transmission of nerve impulses throughout the body. This toxin causes tetanus, which is characterized by rigidity, spasms, and paralysis of the voluntary muscles of the body [Krishnamurthy et al., 2005]. Tetanus is often referred to as "lockjaw" because a large majority of the patients experience rigidity of the jaw muscles. The toxin enters the body by way of a cut and into the bloodstream, where it spreads rapidly throughout the body, or by a nerve, which transports the toxin directly to the central nervous system. Tetanus toxin attacks motor nerve cells and hyper-activates them. The overactive nerve impulses cause muscles to go into convulsive spasms

The toxin is produced after the bacterial cell's active, exponential growth phase.

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== Medical Implications or Possible Applications ==

Tetanus toxin is still a main concern to public health taking several hundred lives each year. The most commonly used human vaccine is the chemically modified form of the tetanus neurotoxin.

The toxin is most commonly known to affect the muscles of the jaw causing rigidity of the muscles of the jaw and face. This toxin also causes severe spasms in the throat and chest making swallowing and breathing extremely difficult. These are the most common causes of death if tetanus is untreated. Tetanus also causes adverse effects on various muscles throughout the body, notably on the heart, blood pressure, and vital brain centers that cause death later in the disease.

Sandbox Reserved 466: Difference between revisions

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 The tetanus toxin is produced by the bacteria ''Clostridium tetani''. Clostridium bacteria produces distinct neurotoxins that are extremely potent to humans. This bacillus bacteria's spores are widely found in nature, particularly in soil. It enters the body through cuts or abrasion of the skin. The Clostridium bacteria produces two types of neurotoxins. Both ''Clostridium botulinum'' and ''Clostridium tetani'' form the clostridial neurotoxin family [Krishnamurthy et al., 2005]. This family is classified as part of the peptidase M27 family of proteins, which are metalloproteases. Metalloproteases bind with a divalent cation, usually zinc, which activates water molecules within the active site to hydrolyze peptide bonds [PDB].
-The tetanus toxin effects the central nervous system by inhibiting the release of neurotransmitters, glycine and gamma-aminobutyric acid,  into the synaptic cleft of the spinal cord. This toxin causes tetanus, which is characterized by rigidity, spasms, and paralysis of the voluntary muscles of the body [Krishnamurthy et al., 2005]. Tetanus is often referred to as "lockjaw" because a large majority of the patients experience rigidity of the jaw muscles.
+The tetanus toxin effects the central nervous system by inhibiting the release of neurotransmitters, glycine and gamma-aminobutyric acid, into the synaptic cleft of the spinal cord affecting the transmission of nerve impulses throughout the body. This toxin causes tetanus, which is characterized by rigidity, spasms, and paralysis of the voluntary muscles of the body [Krishnamurthy et al., 2005]. Tetanus is often referred to as "lockjaw" because a large majority of the patients experience rigidity of the jaw muscles. The toxin enters the body by way of a cut and into the bloodstream, where it spreads rapidly throughout the body, or by a nerve, which transports the toxin directly to the central nervous system. Tetanus toxin attacks motor nerve cells and hyper-activates them. The overactive nerve impulses cause muscles to go into convulsive spasms
 The toxin is produced after the bacterial cell's active, exponential growth phase.
@@ Line 39: / Line 39: @@
 == Medical Implications or Possible Applications ==
 Tetanus toxin is still a main concern to public health taking several hundred lives each year. The most commonly used human vaccine is the chemically modified form of the tetanus neurotoxin.
+The toxin is most commonly known to affect the muscles of the jaw causing rigidity of the muscles of the jaw and face. This toxin also causes severe spasms in the throat and chest making swallowing and breathing extremely difficult. These are the most common causes of death if tetanus is untreated. Tetanus also causes adverse effects on various muscles throughout the body, notably on the heart, blood pressure, and vital brain centers that cause death later in the disease.