title: Recombinant acetylcholinesterase has behavioural effects in the rat substantia nigra not attributable to its enzymatic activity.
abstract: An unexplained action of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) has previously been demonstrated on motor behaviour in the substantia nigra: a single infusion of the protein induced long-term circling behaviour, reflecting sustained increased activity of the nigro-striatal pathway. In this study, a highly purified form of AChE was infused and the long-term behavioural effects were still observed. In addition, recombinant human AChE produced a similar response, suggesting that AChE itself, and not a contaminant, was responsible for these behavioural actions. Butyrylcholinesterase, which also hydrolyses acetylcholine, was without effect. Hence AChE is not exerting these actions by potentiating the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, but via some cholinergic-independent mechanism.
authors.affiliation: University Dept. of Pharmacology, Oxford, UK.
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Hawkins
authors.forename: S A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Greenfield
mesh_terms: D000110:Acetylcholinesterase / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects*; D002091:Butyrylcholinesterase / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D013239:Stereotyped Behavior; D013378:Substantia Nigra / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D000110:Acetylcholinesterase; D002091:Butyrylcholinesterase