Acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase--important enzymes of human body.
The serine hydrolases and proteases are a ubiquitous group of enzymes that is fundamental to many critical life-functions. Human tissues have two distinct cholinesterase activities: acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase. Acetylcholinesterase functions in the transmission of nerve impulses, whereas the physiological function of butyrylcholinesterase remains unknown. Acetylcholinesterase is one of the crucial enzymes in the central and peripheral nerve system. Organophosphates and carbamates are potent inhibitors of serine hydrolases and well suited probes for investigating the chemical reaction mechanism of the inhibition. Understanding the enzyme's chemistry is essential in preventing and/or treating organophosphate and carbamate poisoning as well as designing new medicaments for cholinergic-related diseases like as Alzheimer's disease.
Patocka
Jirí
J
Purkyne Military Medical Academy, Hradec Králové, Czech Republic. patocka@pmfhk.cz
Kuca
Kamil
K
Jun
Daniel
D
D000110:Acetylcholinesterase / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D000818:Animals; D002091:Butyrylcholinesterase / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents / Q000502:physiology*; D017933:Peripheral Nervous System / Q000502:physiology*; D011950:Receptors, Cholinergic / Q000145:classification / Q000502:physiology
D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents; D011950:Receptors, Cholinergic; D000110:Acetylcholinesterase; D002091:Butyrylcholinesterase