Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: EC:3.1.1.8 (cholinesterase)
12,691 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Oligohaline copepods such as Eurytemora affinis are widespread in estuaries of northwestern Europe. These minute crustaceans are highly sensitive to contamination and thus serve as useful bioindicators for the monitoring of pollutant effects. The use of decreased cholinesterase (ChE) activity as a sublethal biomarker of exposure to neurotoxic compounds supposes that ChE has been defined in copepods. This study reports the partial purification and characterization of ChE extracted from E. affinis. Analysis by non-denaturing PAGE and by isoelectric focusing indicated that the enzyme is probably a single dimeric form of 140 KDa, with a pI of 6.2. This enzyme is likely an acetylcholinesterase (AChE) since it hydrolyzes acetylthiocholine iodide at a higher rate than other substrates, such as butyrylthiocholine and propionylthiocholine, at pH 7.0 and 25 degrees C, and is inhibited by eserine but not by iso-OMPA. The enzyme exhibited high sensitivity to some of the various pollutants tested. The kinetic properties of this ChE were compared with those of other invertebrate ChEs.
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PMID:Partial purification and characterization of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) from the estuarine copepod Eurytemora affinis (Poppe). 1203 88

Recently, we found acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity in the ciliate protozoan Paramecium primaurelia. As in the slime mould Dictyostelium discoideum the presence of a serine esterase was found with strong sequence identity to Torpedo AChE, we extended to D. discoideum the investigation on the characterization and possible functions of cholinesterases (ChEs). In amoeboid cells, histochemical, biochemical, and electrophoresis analyses evidenced both a ChE activity able to hydrolyze the substrate PrTChI, and AChE (E.C. 3.1.1.7.) activity similar to Electrophorus electricus AChE. Conversely, butyrylcholinesterase activity was nearly absent, according to our previous results on P. primaurelia. Moreover, the possibility to utilize D. discoideum in a bioassay for the pre-chemical screening both of moist environments and fresh waters, in relation to the occurrence of the neurotoxic organophosphate drugs, such as "basudin", inhibiting ChE activity, was investigated. Exposure to basudin inhibited propionylcholinesterase (PrChE) activity in a dose-dependent manner in the range 10(-1)-10(-7) M (60% at 10(-4) M), without any significant effect on AChE activity. PrChE activity was inhibited slightly by 10(-5) M eserine, and reduced significantly both by 10(-5) M iso-OMPA and BW284C51, classically used to discriminate the different ChE molecular forms. The effects on cell morphology, cell density, and differentiation were evaluated in cultures exposed to PrTChI 10(-5) M or basudin 10(-4) M for a three-day period. The PrTChI-exposed sample exhibited cell morphology, cell density, ability to aggregate, and to form fruiting bodies similar to the control; whereas, the basudin-exposed sample showed anomalies in cell morphology and lower cell density than the control, together with inability to aggregate.
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PMID:Cholinesterase activity and effects of its inhibition by neurotoxic drugs in Dictyostelium discoideum. 1215 42

We have previously described three catalytic antibodies (Ab1s) raised against human erythrocyte acetylcholinesterase (AChE). These antibodies both recognise and resemble AChE in their reaction with substrates and appear with a relatively high frequency. We do not know, however, why catalytic activity should have developed in response to a ground state antigen. This question has implication for autoimmune disorders, which are frequently characterised by the presence of catalytic antibodies, many of which have cytotoxic effects. In this study, we raised anti-idiotypic (Ab2) and anti-anti-idiotypic (Ab3) antibodies to a catalytic Ab1 and examined their properties. None of the Ab2s showed catalytic activity, whereas four of the Ab3s did, an incidence of 1.26%. No contamination of antibody preparations with either AChE or butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) was found. Immunisation of mice with AChE, as well as AChE complexed with various inhibitors, resulted in a significant increase in catalytic immunoglobulins in the serum, compared with non-immunised mice and mice immunised with the Ab1. There appears to be considerable resemblance between Ab1s and Ab3s, but there are also significant differences between the two groups. All the antibodies were inhibited by phenylmethylsulphonyl fluoride (PMSF), indicating the presence of a serine residue in their active sites and were inhibited by the cholinesterase active site inhibitors tetraisopropyl pyrophosphoramide (iso-OMPA) and pyridostigmine. The Ab3s resembled the Ab1s in their ability to hydrolyse both acetylthiocholine (ATCh) and butyrylthiocholine (BTCh). However, the Ab3s appear to be better catalysts, having significantly reduced K(M) values (for ATCh but not BTCh) and increased turnover numbers (K(cat)), rate enhancements (K(cat)/K(uncat)) and K(cat)/K(M) ratios. The Ab3s also had reduced affinities for cholinesterase anionic site inhibitors (edrophonium, tetramethylammonium and BW284c51) and no affinity at all for the AChE peripheral anionic site (PAS) inhibitor fasciculin. All the antibodies recognise, to some degree, the PAS of AChE, shown by their ability to inhibit AChE, to compete with peripheral site inhibitors and to block AChE-mediated cell adhesion, a property of the site. These results indicate idiotypic mimicry of the catalytic antibody's active site, suggesting that the catalytic activity is due to affinity maturation of immunoglobulin genes in response to a specific antigen, namely, the PAS of AChE. Further studies are required to determine the structural features of this ground state antigen responsible for the development of catalytic activity.
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PMID:Idiotypic mimicry of a catalytic antibody active site. 1222 Aug 86

We describe three catalytic cholinesterase-like catalytic antibodies (Ab1), as well as anti-idiotypic (Ab2) and idiotypic (Ab3) antibodies, to one of the Ab1s. The Ab1s were raised against the human erythrocyte acetylcholinesterase (AChE), and are unusual in that they both recognise and resemble acetylcholinesterase in their catalytic activity. No contamination of the antibody preparations with either acetylcholinesterase or butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) was found. None of the Ab2s showed catalytic activity, whereas four Ab3s did (an incidence of 1.26% of all Ab3s). Although there is considerable resemblance between Ab1s and Ab3s, there are significant differences between the two groups. All the antibodies were inhibited by phenylmethylsulphonyl fluoride (PMSF), indicating the presence of a serine residue in their active sites, and were inhibited by the cholinesterase active site inhibitors iso-OMPA and pyridostigmine, suggesting the similarity of the sites to those of cholinesterases. The Ab3s resemble the Ab1s in their ability to hydrolyse both acetyl and butyrylthiocholine (BTCh). However, the Ab3s appear to be better catalysts, having significantly reduced K(m) values (for acetyl, but not for butyrylthiocholine) and increased turnover numbers (K(cat)), rate enhancements (K(cat)/K(uncat)) and K(cat)/K(m) ratios, for both substrates, although these values by no means approach those of the natural enzymes. The Ab1s appear to have structures resembling the anionic sites of cholinesterases, as shown by their reaction with the anionic site inhibitors (edrophonium and tetramethylammonium). No such reactions were observed in the Ab3s. None of the antibodies show evidence of the sites resembling the peripheral anionic site (PAS) of acetylcholinesterase. All the antibodies recognise, to varying degrees, the peripheral anionic site of acetylcholinesterase. This was shown by their ability to inhibit acetylcholinesterase, to compete with peripheral site inhibitors, and to block acetylcholinesterase-mediated cell adhesion, a property of this site. The results indicate idiotypic mimicry of a catalytic antibody's active site, and suggest that the development of the catalytic activity in the anti-acetylcholinesterase antibodies may be related to the structural features of the peripheral anionic site of acetylcholinesterase.
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PMID:Catalytic antibodies with acetylcholinesterase activity. 1237 49

The phthalate ester insensitive blue-green algae (Synechococcus lividus) were used as a food source to extend the survival of synchronously hatched brine shrimp (Artemia salina) larvae allowing measurement of a reduced toxic response to phthalate esters at late post-hatching stages of development. The maximum acute toxicity due to di-n-butyl phthalate (DNBP) correlated with the expression of a phthalate ester-hydrolyzing enzyme. The purified enzyme was identified as a butyrylcholinesterase due to its rapid inactivation by low concentrations (10(-7)M) of diisopropyl fluorophosphate and inhibition by physostigmine (IC(50)=6 x 10(-7)M) and tetraisopropylpyrophosphoramide (I-OMPA, IC(50)=x 10(-6)M) but not by BW284c5. Apparently competition of the phthalates with the endogenous substrates of the enzyme led to development-dependent toxicity.
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PMID:A butyrylcholinesterase in the early development of the brine shrimp (Artemia salina) larvae: a target for phthalate ester embryotoxicity? 1245 90

1 The present study was performed to evaluate the presence and the physiological consequences of butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) inhibition on isolated phrenic-hemidiaphragm preparations from normal mice expressing acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and BChE, and from AChE-knockout mice (AChE(-/-)) expressing only BChE. 2 Histochemical and enzymatic assays revealed abundance of AChE and BChE in normal mature neuromuscular junctions (NMJs). 3 In normal NMJs, in which release was reduced by low Ca(2+)/high Mg(2+) medium BChE inhibition with tetraisopropylpyrophosphoramide (iso-OMPA) or bambuterol decreased ( approximately 50%) evoked quantal release, while inhibition of AChE with fasciculin-1, galanthamine (10, 20 micro M) or neostigmine (0.1-1 micro M) increased (50-80%) evoked quantal release. Inhibition of both AChE and BChE with galanthamine (80 micro M), neostigmine (3-10 micro M), O-ethylS-2-(diisopropylamino)ethyl-methylphosphono-thioate (MTP) or phospholine decreased evoked transmitter release (20-50%). 4 In AChE(-/-) NMJs, iso-OMPA pre-treatment decreased evoked release. 5 Muscarinic toxin-3 decreased evoked release in both AChE(-/-) and normal NMJs treated with low concentrations of neostigmine, galanthamine or fasciculin-1, but had no effect in normal NMJs pretreated with iso-OMPA, bambuterol, MTP and phospholine. 6 In normal and AChE(-/-) NMJs pretreatment with iso-OMPA failed to affect the time course of miniature endplate potentials and full-sized endplate potentials. 7 Overall, our results suggest that inhibition or absence of AChE increases evoked quantal release by involving muscarinic receptors (mAChRs), while BChE inhibition decreases release through direct or indirect mechanisms not involving mAChRs. BChE apparently is not implicated in limiting the duration of acetylcholine action on postsynaptic receptors, but is involved in a presynaptic modulatory step of the release process.
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PMID:Butyrylcholinesterase and acetylcholinesterase activity and quantal transmitter release at normal and acetylcholinesterase knockout mouse neuromuscular junctions. 1252 88

This study examines the effects of inhibition of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) on acetylcholine (ACh)-induced contraction in rat urinary bladder smooth muscle. Neostigmine, a non-selective ChE inhibitor, caused concentration-dependent contractions in rat urinary bladder strips, whereas tetraisopropylpyrophosphoramide (iso-OMPA; a BuChE inhibitor) failed to affect the resting tone of the preparations. Neostigmine (1 microM) markedly augmented the contractile responses to ACh. Although iso-OMPA (10 microM) also potentiated ACh-induced contraction, the effect was less than that evoked by neostigmine. The activities of AChE in rat urinary bladder strips were significantly (P<0.05) higher than those of BuChE. These results indicated that AChE, rather than BuChE, plays an important role in controlling ACh-induced contractions of rat urinary bladder.
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PMID:The role of cholinesterases in rat urinary bladder contractility. 1273 66

The primary mechanism of action for organophosphorus (OP) insecticides such as chlorpyrifos (CPF) involves the inhibition of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) by their active oxon metabolites resulting in a wide range of neurotoxic effects. These oxons also inhibit other cholinesterases (ChE) such as butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE), which represents a detoxification mechanism and a potential biomarker for OP insecticide exposure/response. Salivary biomonitoring has recently been explored as a practical method for examination of chemical exposure, however, there are few studies exploring the use of saliva for OP insecticides. To evaluate the use of salivary ChE as a biological monitor for OP insecticide exposure, a modified Ellman assay in conjunction with a pharmacodynamic model was used to characterize salivary ChE in adult male Sprague-Dawley rats. Comparison of rat saliva, brain, and plasma ChE activity in the presence of selective inhibitors of AChE and BuChE (BW284C51 and iso-OMPA, respectively) with different ChE substrates indicated that rat salivary ChE activity is primarily associated with BuChE (>95%). Further characterization of rat salivary BuChE kinetics yielded an average total BuChE active site concentration of 1.20+/-0.13 fmol ml(-1) saliva, an average reactivation rate constant (Kr) of 0.070+/-0.008 h(-1), and an inhibitory rate constant (Ki) of approximately 9 nM(-1) h(-1). The pharmacodynamic model successfully described the in vitro BuChE activity profile as well as the kinetic parameters. These results support the potential utility of saliva as a biomonitoring matrix for evaluating occupational and environmental exposure to CPF and other OP insecticides.
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PMID:Characterization of the in vitro kinetic interaction of chlorpyrifos-oxon with rat salivary cholinesterase: a potential biomonitoring matrix. 1276 93

Chemical, pharmacologic and toxicologic properties of the chlorinated hydrocarbon and organic phosphate insecticides have been reviewed. The chlorinated group present problems if there is either acute or chronic exposure, whereas the problems associated with the organic phosphates develop only in event of acute exposure. Chlorinated hydrocarbon insecticides accumulate in body fat depots and cause both liver and kidney damage while being metabolized and excreted. Organic phosphates destroy cholinesterase and produce effects related to overstimulation of the cholinergic branch of the autonomic nervous system. Barbiturates control the convulsions produced by the chlorinated hydrocarbon insecticides. Atropine blocks most of the effects of the organic phosphate insecticides. These compounds may be grouped in the following order of decreasing toxicity: TEPP, HETP, parathion, OMPA, ENP, aldrin, chlorophenothane, toxaphene, gamma benzene hexachloride, malathon and chlordane.
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PMID:The insecticides; their hazard in industry and in the home. 1330 90

Amphioxus (Branchiostoma floridae) cholinesterase 2 (ChE2) hydrolyzes acetylthiocholine (AsCh) almost exclusively. We constructed a homology model of ChE2 on the basis of Torpedo californica acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and found that the acyl pocket of the enzyme resembles that of Drosophila melanogaster AChE, which is proposed to be comprised of Phe330 (Phe290 in T. californica AChE) and Phe440 (Val400), rather than Leu328 (Phe288) and Phe330 (Phe290), as in vertebrate AChE. In ChE2, the homologous amino acids are Phe312 (Phe290) and Phe422 (Val400). To determine if these amino acids define the acyl pocket of ChE2 and its substrate specificity, and to obtain information about the hydrophobic subsite, partially comprised of Tyr352 (Phe330) and Phe353 (Phe331), we performed site-directed mutagenesis and in vitro expression. The aliphatic substitution mutant F312I ChE2 hydrolyzes AsCh preferentially but also butyrylthiocholine (BsCh), and the change in substrate specificity is due primarily to an increase in k(cat) for BsCh; K(m) and K(ss) are also altered. F422L and F422V produce enzymes that hydrolyze BsCh and AsCh equally due to an increase in k(cat) for BsCh and a decrease in k(cat) for AsCh. Our data suggest that Phe312 and Phe422 define the acyl pocket. We also screened mutants for changes in sensitivity to various inhibitors. Y352A increases the sensitivity of ChE2 to the bulky inhibitor ethopropazine. Y352A decreases inhibition by BW284c51, consistent with its role as part of the choline-binding site. Aliphatic replacement mutations produce enzymes that are more sensitive to inhibition by iso-OMPA, presumably by increasing access to the active site serine. Y352A, F353A and F353V make ChE2 considerably more resistant to inhibition by eserine and neostigmine, suggesting that binding of these aromatic inhibitors is mediated by pi-pi or cation-pi interactions at the hydrophobic site. Our results also provide information about the aromatic trapping of the active site histidine and the inactivation of ChE2 by sulfhydryl reagents.
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PMID:Amino acids defining the acyl pocket of an invertebrate cholinesterase. 1466 5


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