What is acetylcholinesterase and what is its function?

Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) is a cholinergic enzyme primarily found at postsynaptic neuromuscular junctions, especially in muscles and nerves. It immediately breaks down or hydrolyzes acetylcholine (ACh), a naturally occurring neurotransmitter, into acetic acid and choline.

What is the function of ACh esterase?

Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) molecules are attached to the synaptic basal lamina in between the nerve terminal and the receptor-rich postsynaptic membrane. Their function is to terminate neurotransmission by rapidly hydrolyzing acetylcholine released by the motor neurons.

What causes acetylcholinesterase to be released?

When a motor nerve cell gets the proper signal from the nervous system, it releases acetylcholine into its synapses with muscle cells. The cleanup of old acetylcholine is the job of acetylcholinesterase.

What happens if you inhibit acetylcholinesterase?

The inhibition of the enzyme leads to accumulation of ACh in the synaptic cleft resulting in over-stimulation of nicotinic and muscarinic ACh receptors and impeded neurotransmission. The typical symptoms of acute poisoning are agitation, muscle weakness, muscle fasciculations, miosis, hypersalivation, sweating.

What is the effect of a neuromodulator?

Some of the effects of neuromodulators include: alter intrinsic firing activity, increase or decrease voltage-dependent currents, alter synaptic efficacy, increase bursting activity and reconfiguration of synaptic connectivity.

What is the substrate of acetylcholinesterase?

AChE substrate Acetylcholinesterase hydrolysizes the neurotransmitter acetylcholine (ACh), producing choline and an acetate group.

What is the role of acetylcholine?

Acetylcholine is the chief neurotransmitter of the parasympathetic nervous system, the part of the autonomic nervous system (a branch of the peripheral nervous system) that contracts smooth muscles, dilates blood vessels, increases bodily secretions, and slows heart rate.

What is acetylcholine and acetylcholinesterase?

Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) is the primary enzyme responsible for the hydrolytic metabolism of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine (ACh) into choline and acetate.

Does acetylcholinesterase cause muscle contraction?

muscle contractions broken down by the enzyme acetylcholinesterase, which is anchored in the basement membrane, or diffuses out of the primary cleft, thus preventing constant stimulation of acetylcholine receptors.

When was acetylcholinesterase discovered?

Discovery. In 1968, Walo Leuzinger et al. successfully purified and crystallized acetylcholinesterase from electric eels at Columbia University, NY. The 3D structure of acetylcholinesterase was first determined in 1991 by Joel Sussman et al.

Are acetylcholinesterase inhibitors antagonists?

Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors and N-methyl-d-aspartate glutamate receptor antagonist are approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat Alzheimer’s disease.

What drugs are acetylcholinesterase inhibitors?

Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitors, Central