Tetanospasmin exerts its effects by cleaving synaptobrevin, a component of the vesicle-associated membrane protein involved in neurotransmitter release. This cleavage prevents the fusion of neurotransmitter vesicles with the presynaptic membrane, thereby blocking the release of inhibitory neurotransmitters. This mechanism is similar to that of another potent neurotoxin, botulinum toxin, although the clinical effects differ significantly.
