Neuropathy target esterase neural

The test substance is administered orally in a single dose to domestic hens, which have been protected from acute cholinergic effects, when appropriate. The animals are observed for 21 days for behavioral abnormahties, ataxia, and paralysis. Biochemical measurements, in particular NTE (Neuropathy Target Esterase), are undertaken on hens randomly selected from each group (normally 24 and 48 h after dosing). Twenty-one days after exposure, the remainder of the hens is sacrificed and histopathological examination of selected neural tissues is undertaken. 

Glynn, P. (2000). Neural development and neurodegeneration two faces of neuropathy target esterase. Prog. Neurobiol. 61 61-74. 

DEF is a relatively weak inhibitor of acetylcholinesterase. The compound is hydrolyzed to a large extent in the intestine to -butyl mercaptan, which is responsible for the late acute effects of DEF. The putative molecular target in neural tissue for initiation of delayed neuropathy is neurotoxic esterase or neuropathy target esterase (NTE). 

The complete mechanism of OPIDN has not been elucidated. However, there is good evidence that the disease is initiated by a concerted two-step reaction involving inhibition and aging of a critical amount of a protein called neuropathy target esterase (neurotoxic esterase, NTE) in target neural tissues. The net result of the aging step is the rapid formation of a... 

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