Next Effort in Cholinesterases Biosensors

Abstract

Acetyl cholinesterase (AChE) and butyryl cholinesterase (BChE) are two known enzymes in the body with ability to hydrolyze acetylcholine. While AChE plays crucial role in acetylcholine mediated neurotransmission, BChE is secreted from livers to plasma and biological role of the enzyme is not fully understood [1]. The both cholinesterases are very sensitive to inhibition by nerve agents such as sarin, soman, tabun, VX, and some carbamate inhibitors such as pesticide carbofuran or malaoxon. Pharmacologically important compounds such as galantamine, donepezil, rivastigmine, huperzine, pyridostigmine and physostigmine used for e.g. Alzheimer disease, vascular dementia, myasthenia gravis, glaucoma, and delayed gastric emptying are inhibitors of either AChE or the both cholinesterases [2].