Analysis Note

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

Application

The enzyme from sigma has been used as a reference to to evaluate the effect of aspartame metabolites on hippocampal acetylcholinesterase activity. The enzyme has also been used in immobilization studies for the rapid detection of acetylthiocholine chloride.

Biochem/physiol Actions

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

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

10000 units in poly bottle

500, 2000 units in glass bottle

Physical form

Lyophilized powder containing Tris buffer salts

Preparation Note

This enzyme dissolves in 20 mM Tris-HCl buffer, pH 7.5 at 1 mg/mL concentration, yielding a clear solution.

Unit Definition

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