title: Acetylcholinesterase activity as a neurotoxicity marker within the context of experimentally-simulated hyperprolinaemia: An in vitro approach.
abstract: Hyperprolinaemia is characterized by increased tissue accumulation of proline (Pro) and is known to exert serious cognitive and/or neuropsychiatric symptomatology as a direct result of Pro accumulation in the brain. The aim of this study was to explore a putative link between experimentally-simulated hyperprolinaemia and the activity of acetylcholinesterase (AChE); a crucial neurotoxicity marker. In vitro experiments were undertaken on purified eel-derived AChE, as well as on adult mouse brain homogenates, in order to examine the effect of a spectrum of Pro concentrations (3, 30, 500, and 1000 μM) on this marker. Our data showed that although Pro exerted a significant inhibitory effect on pure AChE activity, mouse brain-derived membrane-bound AChE activity was found either unaltered or significantly increased following incubation with Pro. The use of AChE activity as a neurotoxicity marker within the context of experimentally-simulated hyperprolinaemia should be considered with caution and in parallel with a number of other experimental parameters.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Physiology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece ; Henry Wellcome Laboratories for Integrative Neuroscience and Endocrinology, School of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.
authors.forename: Konstantinos
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kalafatakis
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Physiology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece ; Gardiner Laboratory, Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK.
authors.forename: Vasiliki
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Gkanti
authors.affiliation: Gardiner Laboratory, Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK.
authors.forename: Connie A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Mackenzie-Gray Scott
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Physiology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece ; Gardiner Laboratory, Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK.
authors.forename: Apostolos
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Zarros
authors.affiliation: Gardiner Laboratory, Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK.
authors.forename: George S
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Baillie
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Physiology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Stylianos
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tsakiris
keywords: Acetylcholinesterase; hyperprolinaemia; neurotoxicity; proline