A joint research group led by Assistant Professor Sho Amatsu (at the time of the study) and Professor Yukako Fujinaga in Bacteriology, Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Medical, Pharmaceutical and Health Sciences, Kanazawa University, Professor Masahiko Zuka in Forensic Medicine, and Associate Professor Kengo Kitadokoro in Kyoto Institute of Technology has clarified the mechanism by which botulinum toxin (*1), which is orally highly toxic, penetrates Mucus layer (*2) the intestinal epithelial lining and the role of hemagglutinin, a factor in this process.
Botulinum toxin is a proteinaceous toxin produced by Clostridium botulinum that causes food poisoning primarily by interfering with nerve function. Different types of toxins show significant differences in oral toxicity, but the underlying mechanisms are unknown. This research group has shown that the differences are due to hemagglutinin, one of the components of the toxin complex, and the difference in glycan affinity to pass through the mucus layer (Mucus layer) that covers the intestinal epithelium.
These findings are expected to contribute to the future elucidation of the mechanisms by which various pathogens, including viruses, enter the body, and to the development of therapeutic and preventive methods.
The results of this research were published in the online edition of the British scientific journal "Nature Communications" on November 25, 2025.
Figure: The botulinum toxin complex can be divided into two types according to the type of non-toxic component HA (red): the HOT type, which is orally toxic, and the non-HOT type, which is not. non-HOT type is trapped in the intestinal tract Mucus layer and is difficult to enter, while HOT type can easily enter by sneaking through Mucus layer and therefore is orally toxic. higher.
【Glossary】
*1 Botulinum toxin
A protein toxin produced by Clostridium botulinum, known to cause highly fatal poisoning in humans and animals.
*2 Mucus layer
This refers to the mucus layer. The intestinal mucosa is covered with a thick Mucus layer, which plays an important role in protecting the intestinal tract from the invasion of pathogens and harmful substances.
Click here to see the press release【Japanese only】
Journal：Nature Communications
Researcher Information : Yukako Fujinaga
Masahiko Zuka
Sho Amatsu
Related Information
Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kanazawa University : https://www.med.kanazawa-u.ac.jp/EN/index.html
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