Studies of the Toxin of Clostridium botulinum. IV. Fluorescence of Clostridium botulinum Toxin and Its Relation to Toxicity

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
The toxin fluoresces at 287 m[mu] and 350 m[mu] respectively. All agents affecting toxicity, including antitoxin, also affect fluorescence. Acting on the assumption that fluorescence of the toxin is due to its content of fluorescing amino acids, such as tryptophan, it was found that tryptophan and its derivative serotonin, and also the serotonin relaxing agents reserpine and chlorpromazine, greatly diminish the toxic effects of botulinus toxin. It is suggested that analogues in structure between the toxin and the substances mentioned before may be related to the biological activity of the toxin.