1 by: Jill McArthur
Student – Jill McArthur
Enzyme – Acetylcholinesterase, EC 3.1.1.7
This enzyme is seen in mammals, non-vertebrates, and plants. I focused on its presence in humans. Acetylcholinesterase is found in postsynaptic neuromuscular junctions, mostly in the synaptic cleft. It is primarily seen in muscles and nerves.
This enzyme, acetylcholinesterase, stops neuronal transmission and signalling between synapses. It does this by hydrolyzing acetylcholine in to acetate and choline. If this enzyme becomes blocked or inhibited, the central nervous system is affected and could induce a variety of symptoms, including but not limited to paralysis, respiratory failure, or seizures. In extreme cases it could lead to death.
A fun fact about acetylcholinesterase is that out of all of our enzymes, it has one of the fastest reaction rates. It can break up one acetylcholine in just eighty microseconds.
References:
Animaker. (n.d.). https://www.animaker.com/
Dvir, H., Silman, I., Harel, M., Rosenberry, T. L., & Sussman, J. L. (2010, September 6).
Acetylcholinesterase: From 3D structure to function. Chemico-biological interactions. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2894301
Formation of enzyme substrate complex by acetylcholine and… | download scientific diagram. ResearchGate. (n.d.). https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Formation-of-enzyme-substratecomplex- by-acetylcholine-and-acetylcholinesterase-enzyme_fig1_305889066
Information on EC 3.1.1.7 – acetylcholinesterase. Information on EC 3.1.1.7 – acetylcholinesterase – BRENDA Enzyme Database. (n.d.). https://www.brendaenzymes. org/enzyme.php?ecno=3.1.1.7
JL;, S. I. (n.d.). Acetylcholinesterase: How is structure related to function?. Chemico-biological interactions. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18586019/
PDB101: Molecule of the month: Acetylcholinesterase. RCSB. (n.d.). https://pdb101.rcsb.org/motm/54
Sancho, & Hemme. (n.d.). OPCW. Acetylcholinesterase inhibition. https://www.opcw.org/sites/default/files/documents/2019/01/OP%20Acetylcholinesterase%20In hibition%20Poster.pdf
Wikimedia Foundation. (2024, July 22). Acetylcholinesterase. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acetylcholinesterase
YouTube. (n.d.). Acetylcholinesterase. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bpadAowFnuY
