Description
Butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) is a serine hydrolase that is structurally similar to acetylcholinesterase (AChE), but differs in substRate specificities and inhibitor sensitivities. BChE can, unlike AChE, efficiently hydrolyze larger esters of choline such as butyrylcholine and benzoylcholine. The enzyme is a tetrameric glycoprotein with four equal subunits (110 kDa each). The enzyme is activated by Ca2+ and Mg2+ and the activity is constant over the pH range 6.0-8.0. It is inhibited by Betaine, nicotine, organophosphates, carbamates.
Abbr
BCHE, Native (Human)
Applications
Butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) is a serine hydrolase that shares substantial structural similarities with acetylcholinesterase (AchE) but has different substrate and inhibitor specificities. BChE is found in the serum, hemopoietic cells, liver, lung, heart and the central nervous system of vertebrates.
Enzyme Commission Number
EC 3.1.1.8
Activity
> 50 U/mg protein
Unit Definition
One unit will hydrolyze 1.0 μmole of butyrylcholine to choline and butyrate per min at pH 8.0 at 37°C. The activity obtained using butyrylcholine as substrate is ~2.5 times that obtained using acetylcholine.
Pathway
Diabetes pathways, organism-specific biosystem; Disease, organism-specific biosystem; Irinotecan Pathway, organism-specific biosystem; Synthesis, Secretion, and Deacylation of Ghrelin, organism-specific biosystem
Function
acetylcholinesterase activity; acetylcholinesterase activity; beta-amyloid binding; carboxylesterase activity; carboxylesterase activity; catalytic activity; choline binding; cholinesterase activity; cholinesterase activity; cholinesterase activity; enzyme binding; hydrolase activity
Synonyms
Butyrylcholinesterase; BCHE; BuChE; pseudocholinesterase; plasma cholinesterase; EC 3.1.1.8; 9001-08-5; Acylcholine acyl-hydrolase; Choline esterase; butyryl