Description
Zinc enzyme produced by Clostridium tetani. Proenzyme of 150 kDa is processed to disulfide-linked subunits of 100 and 50 kDa, the latter being responsible for the endopeptidase activity. Weakly inhibited by captopril, and phosphoramidon. The clostridial neurotoxins disable the neuroexocytosis apparatus, and have been described as the most toxic substances known. Tentoxilysin acts at the spinal inhibitory interneurons, blocking the release of various neurotransmitters to produce spastic paralysis. Type example of peptidase family M27 (tentoxilysin family)