acetylcholinesterase (AcChE)
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Function
- catalyzes hydrolysis of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine in synapses of central & peripheral cholinergic neurons
- occurs in both secreted & membrane-bound forms.
Expression
- cholinergic neurons in the nucleus basalis express acetylcholinesterase & choline acetyltransferase coordinately
Pathology
- AcChE activity is predominant over butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) in normal brain; however, during the course of Alzheimer's disease, the relative proportions of AcChE & BuChE change substantially (reversal).
- the suggestion is made that AcChE may act as a nucleating factor to promote conversion of soluble amyloid peptide into insoluble amyloid fibrils[2]
Genetics
gene locus: 7q22
Pharmacology
- pharamaceutical agents for treatment of Alzheimer's disease & other dementias target inhibition of acetylcholinesterase.
More general terms
Additional terms
- cholinesterase in serum/plasma
- transgenic mouse expressing human amyloid precursor protein (APP) & human acetylcholinesterase
References
- ↑ Role of cholinergic therapy in treatment of Alzheimer's disease & other dementias, Farlow, M et al, 2001
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Rees T, Hammond PI, Soreq H, Younkin S, Brimijoin S. Acetylcholinesterase promotes beta-amyloid plaques in cerebral cortex. Neurobiol Aging. Oct;24(6):777-87. 2003 PMID: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12927760
- ↑ Mesulam MM, Geula C. Nucleus basalis (Ch4) and cortical cholinergic innervation in the human brain: observations based on the distribution of acetylcholinesterase and choline acetyltransferase. J Comp Neurol. 1988 Sep 8;275(2):216-40. PMID: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3220975