Cholinesterase

acetylcholinesterase (Yt blood group)
Diagram of Pacific electric ray acetylcholinesterase. From PDB: 1EA5​.
Identifiers
SymbolACHE
Alt. symbolsYT
NCBI gene43
HGNC108
OMIM100740
RefSeqNM_015831
UniProtP22303
Other data
EC number3.1.1.7
LocusChr. 7 q22
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StructuresSwiss-model
DomainsInterPro
butyrylcholinesterase
Cartoon diagram of human butyrylcholinesterase. From PDB: 1P0I​.
Identifiers
SymbolBCHE
Alt. symbolsCHE1, CHE2, E1
NCBI gene590
HGNC983
OMIM177400
RefSeqNM_000055
UniProtP06276
Other data
EC number3.1.1.8
LocusChr. 3 q26.1-26.2
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StructuresSwiss-model
DomainsInterPro

The enzyme cholinesterase (EC 3.1.1.8, choline esterase; systematic name acylcholine acylhydrolase) catalyses the hydrolysis of choline-based esters:

an acylcholine + H2O = choline + a carboxylate

Several of these serve as neurotransmitters.[1] Thus, it is either of two enzymes that catalyze the hydrolysis of these cholinergic neurotransmitters, such as breaking acetylcholine into choline and acetic acid.[1] These reactions are necessary to allow a cholinergic neuron to return to its resting state after activation. For example, in muscle contraction, acetylcholine at a neuromuscular junction triggers a contraction; but for the muscle to relax afterward, rather than remaining locked in a tense state, the acetylcholine must be broken down by a choline esterase. The main type for that purpose is acetylcholinesterase (also called choline esterase I[2] or erythrocyte cholinesterase); it is found mainly in chemical synapses and red blood cell membranes. The other type is butyrylcholinesterase (also called choline esterase II[2] or plasma cholinesterase); it is found mainly in the blood plasma.

  1. ^ a b Colović MB, Krstić DZ, Lazarević-Pašti TD, Bondžić AM, Vasić VM (May 2013). "Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors: pharmacology and toxicology". Current Neuropharmacology. 11 (3). Bentham Science Publishers Ltd.: 315–35. doi:10.2174/1570159x11311030006. PMC 3648782. PMID 24179466.
  2. ^ a b Elsevier, Dorland's Illustrated Medical Dictionary, Elsevier, archived from the original on 2014-01-11, retrieved 2015-09-24.