Acetylcholinesterase
Acetylcholinesterase (ACHE, also known as YT) is a serine hydrolase of the cholinesterase family that breaks down the neurotransmitter acetylcholine at neuromuscular junctions and brain cholinergic synapses, terminating signal transmission. On red blood cell membranes it constitutes the Yt blood group antigen. Browse Assay Genie's current range of Acetylcholinesterase research reagents below, or read on for the biology behind the target.
Acetylcholinesterase rapidly hydrolyses acetylcholine released into the synaptic cleft. By clearing the neurotransmitter, it terminates signal transduction at the neuromuscular junction and at cholinergic synapses in the brain. UniProt also annotates a role for the enzyme in neuronal apoptosis. The protein is assigned to the type-B carboxylesterase/lipase family and is listed by HGNC within the cholinesterase family and the blood group antigens gene group.
The ACHE gene is a single gene, yet the protein exists in multiple molecular forms. These forms have similar catalytic properties but differ in their oligomeric assembly and in how they attach to the cell surface. The structural diversity arises from alternative mRNA splicing and from post-translational associations of catalytic and structural subunits. The main form in brain, muscle and other tissues is a hydrophilic species that forms disulfide-linked oligomers with collagenous or lipid-containing structural subunits. A second, alternatively spliced form is expressed mainly in erythroid tissues. It differs at the C-terminal end and carries a cleavable hydrophobic peptide with a GPI-anchor site, so it associates with membranes through phosphoinositide moieties added after translation. UniProt lists the protein at the synapse, in the secreted fraction, at the cell membrane and in the nucleus.
The Yt blood group name reflects the enzyme's presence on red blood cell membranes, and earlier HGNC names for the gene included the Cartwright blood group designation. NCBI Gene notes that acetylcholinesterase activity may serve as a sensitive biomarker of red blood cell ageing in vivo, which could help in understanding the effects of transfusion. Mouse and rat both carry an orthologous Ache gene, so rodent models are commonly used to study this enzyme.
The enzyme hydrolyses acetylcholine in the synaptic cleft, terminating signal transmission at neuromuscular junctions and brain cholinergic synapses.
UniProt annotates a role for acetylcholinesterase in neuronal apoptosis, linking a classic synaptic enzyme to cell-death pathways.
Acetylcholinesterase activity may be a sensitive biomarker of red blood cell ageing in vivo and may help clarify effects of transfusion.
On red blood cell membranes the enzyme constitutes the Yt blood group antigen, connecting cholinesterase biology with erythrocyte surface markers.
Acetylcholinesterase hydrolyses the neurotransmitter acetylcholine released into the synaptic cleft. This ends signal transduction at the neuromuscular junction and at brain cholinergic synapses. UniProt also annotates a role in neuronal apoptosis.
On red blood cell membranes the enzyme constitutes the Yt blood group antigen, hence the alias YT. A single gene gives rise to several molecular forms through alternative splicing and post-translational association with structural subunits. They differ in oligomeric assembly and cell attachment.
Yes. Mouse and rat each have an orthologous gene named Ache, so the enzyme can be studied in rodent systems. Cross-species suitability varies between reagents, so check the datasheet of any product for its validated reactivity.
Other cholinesterases, cholinergic pathway proteins and neuromuscular junction targets with products at Assay Genie.
Gene and protein annotations from HGNC, NCBI Gene and UniProt P22303; product specifications from Assay Genie datasheets.