Acetylcholinesterase, function

Silman I, Sussman JL (2005) Acetylcholinesterase classical and non-classical functions and pharmacology. Curr Opin Pharmacol 5(3) 293-302... 

While these functions can be a carried out by a single transporter isoform (e.g., the serotonin transporter, SERT) they may be split into separate processes carried out by distinct transporter subtypes, or in the case of acetylcholine, by a degrading enzyme. Termination of cholinergic neurotransmission is due to acetylcholinesterase which hydrolyses the ester bond to release choline and acetic acid. Reuptake of choline into the nerve cell is afforded by a high affinity transporter (CHT of the SLC5 gene family). 

Acetylcholinesterase contained in erythrocytes is identical to that found in the nervous system. Its function within erythrocytes may be to control permeability of the cell membrane, to an extent. 

Functional neurological changes due to acute organophosphate exposure generally correlate with acetylcholinesterase inhibition in erythrocytes (Wills 1972). 

There is a second type of cholinesterase called butyrylcholinesterase, pseudocholinesterase, or cholinesterase. This enzyme is present in some nonneural cells in the central and peripheral nervous systems as well as in plasma and serum, the liver, and other organs. Its physiologic function is not known, but is hypothesized to be the hydrolysis of esters ingested from plants (Lefkowitz et al. 1996). Plasma cholinesterases are also inhibited by organophosphate compounds through irreversible binding this binding can act as a detoxification mechanism as it affords some protection to acetylcholinesterase in the nervous system (Parkinson 1996 Taylor 1996). 

Acetylcholinesterase is a component of the postsynaptic membrane of cholinergic synapses of the nervous system in both vertebrates and invertebrates. Its structure and function has been described in Chapter 10, Section 10.2.4. Its essential role in the postsynaptic membrane is hydrolysis of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine in order to terminate the stimulation of nicotinic and muscarinic receptors (Figure 16.2). Thus, inhibitors of the enzyme cause a buildup of acetylcholine in the synaptic cleft and consequent overstimulation of the receptors, leading to depolarization of the postsynaptic membrane and synaptic block. 

Devonshire, A.L., Byrne, G.D., and Moores, G.D. et al. (1998). Biochemical and molecular characterisation of insecticide sensitive acetylcholinesterase in resistant insects. In Structure and Function of Cholinesterases and Related Proteins, Doctor, B.P, Quinn, D.M., Rotundo, R.L. and Taylor, P. (Eds.) New York Plenum Press, 491 96. 

Engenheiro, E.L., Hankard, P.K., and Sousa, J.P. et al. (2005). Influence of dimethoate on acetylcholinesterase activity and locomotor function in terrestrial isopods. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry 24, 603-609. 

Greenfield, S. Acetylcholinesterase may have novel functions in the brain. Trends in Neurosciences 10 364-368, 1984. 

In the synthesis of fluorinated analogs of the acetylcholinesterase inhibitor, huperzine A, it was necessary to accomplish reductive elimination of the diol 15-D to 15-E. Of the methods for diol reduction, which seems most compatible with the other functional groups in this compound ... 

Both the G- and V-agents have the same physiological action on humans. They are potent inhibitors of the enzyme acetylcholinesterase (AChE), which is required for the function of many nerves and muscles in nearly every multicellular animal. Normally, AChE prevents the accumulation of acetylcholine after its release in the nervous system. Acetylcholine plays a vital role in stimulating voluntary muscles and nerve endings of the autonomic nervous system and many structures within the CNS. Thus, nerve agents that are cholinesterase inhibitors permit acetylcholine to accumulate at those sites, mimicking the effects of a massive release of acetylcholine. The major effects will be on skeletal muscles, parasympathetic end organs, and the CNS. 

The primary function of acetylcholinesterase is to terminate the activity of the neurotransmitter, acetylcholine (Fig. 6.4), through hydrolysis at the various cholinergic nerve endings. In this regard, it is probably the most highly efficient enzyme that operates in the human. It is capable of hydrolyzing 300,000 molecules of acetylcholine per molecule of enzyme... 

In contrast to acetylcholinesterase, cholinesterase (acylcholine acyl-hydrolase, butyrylcholinesterase, EC 3.1.1.8) exhibits relatively unspecific esterase activity toward choline esters, with abroad specificity relative to the size of the acyl group. The enzyme is synthesized in the liver and can be found in smooth muscle, adipocytes, and plasma. Its physiological role remains partly obscure, but there is evidence that it is present transiently in the embryonic nervous system, where it is replaced in later stages of development by acetylcholinesterase. It has, therefore, been suggested that cholinesterase functions as an embryonic acetylcholinesterase. 

Compound 10 was evaluated for anti-bacterial activity and acetylchohnesterase (AChE) inhibitory activities. This compound was foimd to be inactive in antibacterial assay and exhibited AChE inhibitory activity with an ICj, value of 67 pM. Acetylcholine serves as a neurotransmitter in the central and peripheral nervous system. Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) stops the function of acetylcholine by its... 

---