Non-neuronal Role of Acetylcholinesterase in Bone Development and Degeneration.

Xiaohe Luo,Marianne Lauwers,Paul G. Layer,Chunyi Wen

doi:10.3389/fcell.2020.620543

Abstract

Acetylcholinesterase (AChE), an enzyme catalyzing the degradation of acetylcholine, plays an important suppressive role in the cholinergic regulation by terminating the action of acetylcholine. The expression of acetylcholinesterase and other cholinergic components is not restricted to only brain and nerve tissues but can also be found in non-neuronal tissues like the immune system and bone tissue. Primary identification of these components has been achieved. However, the information about their specific functions and underlying molecular mechanisms in bone remains scattered. Here, the physiological process of bone development, homeostasis, and degeneration are introduced. Next, the cholinergic system and its expression in bone tissue is documented. Among them, special attention goes to AChE, as the structure of this enzyme suggests diverse binding affinities, enabled by a peripheral site and a catalytic site. The peripheral site supports the non-enzymatic function of AChE in non-neuronal systems. Based on recent studies, the non-neuronal roles of acetylcholinesterase, both enzymatically and non-enzymatically, in bone development, homeostasis and degeneration are summarized briefly together with potential mechanisms to support these functions. We conclude that AChE may be a potential therapeutic target for bone diseases like osteoporosis.

Highlights

The parasympathetic nervous system is an important branch of the autonomic nervous system
The nicotinic and muscarinic acetylcholine receptors are expressed in osteoblasts, osteoclasts and bone tissues (En-Nosse et al, 2009; Sato et al, 2010; Liu et al, 2011; Kauschke et al, 2014; Ma et al, 2014; Ternes et al, 2015; Zablotni et al, 2015)
Most studies focusing on the non-enzymatic functions of AChE in bone investigate its role in the osteoblastic lineage

Summary

Introduction

The parasympathetic nervous system is an important branch of the autonomic nervous system. The nicotinic and muscarinic acetylcholine receptors are expressed in osteoblasts, osteoclasts and bone tissues (En-Nosse et al, 2009; Sato et al, 2010; Liu et al, 2011; Kauschke et al, 2014; Ma et al, 2014; Ternes et al, 2015; Zablotni et al, 2015). Non-neuronal Cholinergic Role of AChE in Bone Development

Results

Conclusion