Esterase, nonspecific

The bile-salt-dependent lipase of pancreatic juice has many names such as cholesterol esterase, nonspecific lipase, the most rational being carboxyl ester lipase [27], In the case of water-insoluble substrates this enzyme has an absolute requirement for bile salts specifically having hydroxyl groups in the 3a and la positions [28.29]. The best documented role for this enzyme is to allow the absorption of dietary cholesterol, through hydrolysis of cholesterol esters in the lumen. The enzyme also catalyzes the esterification of cholesterol and a role for it has been proposed in cholesterol absorption [30]. In addition, a wide range of primary and secondary fatty acyl esters including glycerides, vitamin A and E esters are hydrolyzed by this enzyme. 

Fluorescein absorbance is sensitive to pH. This property is utilized to measure cytosolic pH changes. Fluorescein derivatives that contain esters on the carboxyl groups have been constructed. These compounds partition through the cell membrane and, once inside the cell, the esters are cleaved by nonspecific esterases in the cytosol, leaving free carboxyl groups thus the probe cannot diffuse out of the cell (or at least does so slowly). Commonly used derivatives are 6-carboxyfluorescein (21-23) and the more recently developed probe 2, 7 -bis(2-carboxyethyl)-5(and-6)-carboxyfluorescein (13, 24,25). 

Organophosphate Ester Hydraulic Fluids. In a study of nonspecific monocyte esterase staining, humans who were exposed to aryl phosphates occupationally showed very slight esterase inhibition (Mandel et al. 1959). 

Carboxylesterase Carboxylic ester hydrolase, nonspecific carboxylesterase, ali-esterase, B-esterase Aliphatic esters... 

Thiolester hydrolases are present in most tissues and cell compartments. High concentrations are found in liver microsomes and in brown adipose tissue mitochondria and peroxisomes. Several acyl-CoA hydrolases have shown a close relationship to the nonspecific carboxylesterases EC 3.1.1.1. Thus, palmitoyl-CoA hydrolase purified from rat liver microsomes was found to be identical to esterase pI 6.2I6A (ES4 type). An acyl-CoA hydrolase was isolated that showed high similarity to esterase pI 6.1 [74a] [129] [130]. These few examples are further illustrations of the unsatisfying situation of the traditional classification of esterases. 

Phosphates of pharmaceutical interest are often monoesters (Sect. 9.3), and the enzymes that are able to hydrolyze them include alkaline and acid phosphatases. Alkaline phosphatase (alkaline phosphomonoesterase, EC 3.1.3.1) is a nonspecific esterase of phosphoric monoesters with an optimal pH for catalysis of ca. 8 [140], In the presence of a phosphate acceptor such as 2-aminoethanol, the enzyme also catalyzes a transphosphorylation reaction involving transfer of the phosphoryl group to the alcohol. Alkaline phosphatase is bound extracellularly to membranes and is widely distributed, in particular in the pancreas, liver, bile, placenta, and osteoplasts. Its specific functions in mammals remain poorly understood, but it seems to play an important role in modulation by osteoplasts of bone mineralization. 

Remifentanil, recently approved for use in the United States and Europe, is the first truly ultra-shortacting opioid. Remifentanil s uifique ester linkage allows it to be rapidly degraded to an inactive carboxylic acid metabolite by nonspecific esterases found in tissue and red blood cells. Since it is not a good substrate for plasma pseudocholinesterase, deficiency of the enzyme does not influence its duration of action. Also, hepatic and renal insufficiencies do not influence remifentanil s pharmacokinetics, so it is useful when liver or kidney failure is a factor. Because of its rapid clearance following infusion, remifentanil has gained popularity as an agent for maintenance of anesthesia when an IV technique is practical. 

C) It is metabolized by nonspecific esterases in red blood cells and other tissues... 

Hydrolyses Esters and Amides. The plasma, liver, kidney, and intestines contain a wide variety of nonspecific amidases and esterases. These catalyze the metabolism of esters and amides, ultimately leading to the formation of amines, alcohols, and carboxylic acids. Kinetically, amide hydrolysis is much slower than ester hydrolysis. These hydrolyses may exhibit stereoselectivity. 

Absorption of the quaternary carbamates from the conjunctiva, skin, and lungs is predictably poor, since their permanent charge renders them relatively insoluble in lipids. Thus, much larger doses are required for oral administration than for parenteral injection. Distribution into the central nervous system is negligible. Physostigmine, in contrast, is well absorbed from all sites and can be used topically in the eye (Table 7-4). It is distributed into the central nervous system and is more toxic than the more polar quaternary carbamates. The carbamates are relatively stable in aqueous solution but can be metabolized by nonspecific esterases in the body as well as by cholinesterase. However, the duration of their effect is determined chiefly by the stability of the inhibitor-enzyme complex (see Mechanism of Action, below), not by metabolism or excretion. 

Although esterase activity is found in blood, this is nonspecific esterase activity, which is specific for a particular type of chemical structure, tends to be located in tissues, such as the liver. 

The hydrolysis of amides can also be catalyzed by nonspecific plasma esterases but is slower than that of esters. However, hydrolysis of amides is more likely to be catalyzed by the amidases in the liver. 

A group of esterases hydrolyze simple oxygen esters. Some of these are designed to hydrolyze a particular ester or small group of esters, while others have a more nonspecific action. Acetylcholinesterase609 611a is specific for acetylcholine (Eq. 12-25), a neurotransmitter that is released at many nerve synapses and neuromuscular junctions (Chapter 30). The acetylcholine, which is very toxic in excess, must be destroyed rapidly to prepare the synapse for transmission of another impulse ... 

In addition to hydrogen ions, other species can also affect the enzymatic catalytic activity. This phenomenon is called inhibition it may be specific, nonspecific, reversible, or irreversible. The inhibition reactions can also be used for the sensing of inhibitors. The best-known example is the sensor for detection of nerve gases. These compounds inhibit the hydrolysis of the acetylcholine ester which is catalyzed by the enzyme acetylcholine esterase. Acetylcholine ester is a key component in the neurotransmission mechanism. 

Morton R. A. and Singh R. S. (1985) Biochemical properties, homology, and genetic variation of Drosophila nonspecific esterases. Biochem. Genet. 23, 959-973. 

Tissue esterases have been divided into two classes the A-type esterases, which are insensitive, and the B-type esterases, which are sensitive to inhibition by organo-phosphorus esters. The A esterases include the arylesterases, whereas the B esterases include cholinesterases of plasma, acetylcholinesterases of erythrocytes and nervous tissue, carboxylesterases, lipases, and so on. The nonspecific arylesterases that hydrolyze short-chain aromatic esters are activated by Ca2+ ions and are responsible for the hydrolysis of certain organophosphate triesters such as paraoxon (Figure 10.10B). 

Biochemically Nonspecific Group. Organic phosphates and carbamates inhibit pseudocholinesterase and other esterases. Toxicity and enzymatic inhibitory power are augmented by phenothiazine derivatives but reduced by chemicals which are SER- and esterase-stimulating but not by carbon tetrachloride. 

Purdy, R.E. and Kolattukudy, P.E. 1975. Hydrolysis of plant cutin by plant pathogens purification, amino acids composition, and molecular weight of two isoenzymes of cutinase and a nonspecific esterase from Fusarium solani f. pisi. Biochemistry, 14 2824-31. 

The wide use of cholinesterase inhibitors in various spheres of human activities and the risk of acute and chronic intoxications associated with this process prompted investigation of the role of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and nonspecific esterases in the immunotropic effects of these chemicals. They irreversibly bind to AChE that normally catalyzes the hydrolysis of acetylcholine (ACh) at the... 

Pseudocholinesterase deficiency. The neuromuscular blocking action of suxamethonium is terminated by plasma pseudocholinesterase. True cholinesterase (acetylcholinesterase) hydrolyses acetylcholine released by nerve endings, whereas various tissues and plasma contain other nonspecific, hence pseudo, esterases. Affected individuals form so little plasma pseudocholinesterase that metabolism of suxamethonium is seriously reduced. The deficiency characteristically comes to light when a patient fails to breathe spontaneously after a surgical operation, and assisted ventilation may have to be undertaken for hours. Relatives of an affected individual—for this as for other inherited abnormalities carrying avoidable risk—should be sought out, checked to assess their own risk, and told of the result. The prevalence of pseudocholinesterase deficiency in the UK population is about 1 in 2500. 

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