Cholinesterases nomenclature

In later reports of work using purified enzymes, it was suggested that the erythrocyte enzyme was specific for choline esters and should be called true cholinesterase, while the serum enzyme, which could also hydrolyze noncholine esters, should be called pseudocholinesterase. In fact, both enzymes are to some degree nonspecific, and these names are not recommended by the Commission on Biochemical Nomenclature of the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry and the International Union of Biochemistry (12). Instead, the trivial names acetylcholinesterase and cholinesterase should be used for the eiythroe) e and serum enzymes (EC 3.1.1.7 and EC 3.1.1.8, respectively). ... 

The different systems of nomenclature of the variants, and some of the properties of the cholinesterases present in the plasmas of individuals of the reported genotypes, are summarized in Table 1. 

Most workers have adopted the international convention on nomenclature of multiple forms of enzymes (12), so that the major isoenzymes of cholinesterase are numbered consecutively, with the form having the highest mobility towards the anode being designated one. Unfortunately, there are two sets of symbols for the electrophoretic bands of the enzyme, namely C1-C4 (H6) and ChEj-ChEs e.T (L8). It turns out that C1-C3 are identical to ChEj-ChEs, respectively, but C4 is identified with ChE4 +... 

Possibly the earliest recorded use of a substance that works, like nerve agents, by inhibiting cholinesterase (ChE) is by native tribesmen of western Africa who used the Calabar bean as an ordeal poison in witchcraft trials.1,2 An extract, the elixir of the Calabar bean, was later used medicinally,3 and in 1864, the active principle was isolated by Jobst and Hesse and called physostigmine.1 Vee and Leven independently isolated this same substance in 1865 and named it eserine,1 hence its dual nomenclature. 

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