Butyrylcholinesterase
Butyrylcholinesterase (BCHE) is a secreted esterase of broad substrate specificity that contributes to the inactivation of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. Also known as cholinesterase, E1, CHE1 and CHE2, it can degrade neurotoxic organophosphate esters. Browse Assay Genie's current range of Butyrylcholinesterase research reagents below, or read on for the biology behind the target.
Butyrylcholinesterase is an esterase with broad substrate specificity. It contributes to the inactivation of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, and it can degrade neurotoxic organophosphate esters. Its activity is classified under EC 3.1.1.8, and the mature enzyme is secreted. This breadth of substrates is why researchers use the butyrylcholinesterase protein as a model for esterase-mediated detoxification and drug metabolism.
The BCHE gene encodes a cholinesterase and belongs to the type-B carboxylesterase/lipase family; HGNC places it in the cholinesterase family. According to the NCBI Gene summary, the enzyme is involved in detoxifying poisons, including organophosphate nerve agents and pesticides. It also takes part in the metabolism of drugs including cocaine, heroin and aspirin. The mouse ortholog is Bche.
BCHE has a clear clinical connection. Humans who are homozygous for certain mutations in the gene show prolonged apnea after receiving the muscle relaxant succinylcholine. This makes the butyrylcholinesterase gene a frequent subject in pharmacogenetic and toxicology studies. The gene has also been listed under the symbols E1, CHE1 and CHE2, and the earlier names cholinesterase 1 and cholinesterase (serum) 2 still appear in older literature.
The enzyme degrades neurotoxic organophosphate esters, including nerve agents and pesticides, so it is studied in poison detoxification.
Butyrylcholinesterase contributes to inactivation of acetylcholine, making it relevant to studies of neurotransmitter turnover.
Its broad substrate specificity covers drugs such as cocaine, heroin and aspirin, supporting pharmacology and metabolism research.
Homozygous BCHE mutations are linked to prolonged apnea after succinylcholine, a model for genotype-dependent drug response.
Butyrylcholinesterase is an esterase with broad substrate specificity. It contributes to the inactivation of acetylcholine and can degrade neurotoxic organophosphate esters. It is also involved in detoxifying poisons and in metabolising drugs including cocaine, heroin and aspirin.
BCHE is the HGNC symbol for butyrylcholinesterase. UniProt names the protein cholinesterase, and aliases include E1, CHE1 and CHE2. Previous gene names were cholinesterase 1 and cholinesterase (serum) 2. Check which name a source uses when searching the literature.
Humans homozygous for certain BCHE mutations show prolonged apnea after the muscle relaxant succinylcholine. The enzyme belongs to the type-B carboxylesterase/lipase family, and the mouse ortholog is Bche. Check the datasheet of any product for its validated reactivity.
Other cholinesterases, carboxylesterases and cholinergic pathway targets with products at Assay Genie.
Gene and protein annotations from HGNC, NCBI Gene and UniProt P06276; product specifications from Assay Genie datasheets.