Analysis Note

The activity obtained using acetylcholine as substrate is 30-100 times that obtained with butyrylcholine, using acetylcholinesterase from electric eel.

Application

Acetylcholinesterase from Electrophorus electricus (electric eel) has been used:in acetylcholinesterase activity assayto study its effects on Xenopus embryonic hippocampal cellsto study the effect of acetylcholine inhibitors on development and plasticity

Biochem/physiol Actions

Acetylcholinesterase (AChE)exhibits its activity against acetylcholine in the neuromuscular junctions and synaptic cleft of cholinergic neurons. It participates in the nitric oxide signaling pathway.

Major degradative enzyme for acetylcholine in vivo. Converts acetylcholine + H₂O to choline + acetic acid.

Caution

For dilute solutions (﹤1 mg/ml), add 1 mg/ml BSA to stabilize. Solutions containing at least 1 mg protein/ml in dilute neutral phosphate buffer are stable at least 6 months refrigerated.

General description

Molecular Weight: 280 kDa Isoelectric Point: 5.5Extinction Coefficient: E^1% = 18.0 (280 nm)Acetylcholinesterase from Electrophorus electricus is a tetramer composed of 4 equal subunits of 70 kDa each. Each subunit contains one active site. The enzyme is a glycoprotein containing hexosamines.

Packaging

500, 1000, 5000 units in glass bottle

Physical form

Lyophilized powder containing Tris buffer salts

Unit Definition

One unit will hydrolyze 1.0 µmole of acetylcholine to choline and acetate per min at pH 8.0 at 37 °C.