Biomaterial Database

[Acetylcholinesterase in the erythrocyte membrane]. 1994

H Igisu, and H Matsumura, and M Matsuoka

Department of Environmental Toxicology, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyushu, Japan.

Acetylcholinesterase (AchE) in erythrocytes is one of the typical extraneural AchEs. Its activity is high in human erythrocytes. It has been known that the enzyme is present only in the membrane in erythrocytes and that it is localized on the outer side of the membrane. Recent studies have disclosed much of the primary structure of AchE and the membrane anchor structure. However, the physiological functions of erythrocyte AchE are still totally unknown. Nevertheless, the enzyme may be regarded as a model of AchE in the nervous system. In addition, it may be used to examine the status of the erythrocyte membrane. The enzyme activity seems useful as an indicator of the effects of AchE inhibitors, such as pesticides. It should be noted, however, that the activity of AchE in erythrocytes is not always a good indicator of intoxication with AchE inhibitors.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D010416	Pentachlorophenol	An insecticide and herbicide that has also been used as a wood preservative. Pentachlorphenol is a widespread environmental pollutant. Both chronic and acute pentachlorophenol poisoning are medical concerns. The range of its biological actions is still being actively explored, but it is clearly a potent enzyme inhibitor and has been used as such as an experimental tool.	Sodium Pentachlorophenate,Pentachlorophenate, Sodium
D002800	Cholinesterase Inhibitors	Drugs that inhibit cholinesterases. The neurotransmitter ACETYLCHOLINE is rapidly hydrolyzed, and thereby inactivated, by cholinesterases. When cholinesterases are inhibited, the action of endogenously released acetylcholine at cholinergic synapses is potentiated. Cholinesterase inhibitors are widely used clinically for their potentiation of cholinergic inputs to the gastrointestinal tract and urinary bladder, the eye, and skeletal muscles; they are also used for their effects on the heart and the central nervous system.	Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitor,Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitors,Anti-Cholinesterase,Anticholinesterase,Anticholinesterase Agent,Anticholinesterase Agents,Anticholinesterase Drug,Cholinesterase Inhibitor,Anti-Cholinesterases,Anticholinesterase Drugs,Anticholinesterases,Cholinesterase Inhibitors, Irreversible,Cholinesterase Inhibitors, Reversible,Agent, Anticholinesterase,Agents, Anticholinesterase,Anti Cholinesterase,Anti Cholinesterases,Drug, Anticholinesterase,Drugs, Anticholinesterase,Inhibitor, Acetylcholinesterase,Inhibitor, Cholinesterase,Inhibitors, Acetylcholinesterase,Inhibitors, Cholinesterase,Inhibitors, Irreversible Cholinesterase,Inhibitors, Reversible Cholinesterase,Irreversible Cholinesterase Inhibitors,Reversible Cholinesterase Inhibitors
D004910	Erythrocyte Membrane	The semi-permeable outer structure of a red blood cell. It is known as a red cell 'ghost' after HEMOLYSIS.	Erythrocyte Ghost,Red Cell Cytoskeleton,Red Cell Ghost,Erythrocyte Cytoskeleton,Cytoskeleton, Erythrocyte,Cytoskeleton, Red Cell,Erythrocyte Cytoskeletons,Erythrocyte Ghosts,Erythrocyte Membranes,Ghost, Erythrocyte,Ghost, Red Cell,Membrane, Erythrocyte,Red Cell Cytoskeletons,Red Cell Ghosts
D005278	Fenitrothion	An organothiophosphate cholinesterase inhibitor that is used as an insecticide.	Agria 1050,Folithion,Metathion,Methylnitrophos,Nitrophos,Sumithion,Sumithione
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000110	Acetylcholinesterase	An enzyme that catalyzes the hydrolysis of ACETYLCHOLINE to CHOLINE and acetate. In the CNS, this enzyme plays a role in the function of peripheral neuromuscular junctions. EC 3.1.1.7.	Acetylcholine Hydrolase,Acetylthiocholinesterase,Hydrolase, Acetylcholine
D000818	Animals	Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA.	Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D012969	Sodium Fluoride	A source of inorganic fluoride which is used topically to prevent dental caries.	Fluoristat,Ossin,Zymafluor,Fluoride, Sodium,Fluorides, Sodium,Fluoristats,Ossins,Sodium Fluorides,Zymafluors
D013045	Species Specificity	The restriction of a characteristic behavior, anatomical structure or physical system, such as immune response; metabolic response, or gene or gene variant to the members of one species. It refers to that property which differentiates one species from another but it is also used for phylogenetic levels higher or lower than the species.	Species Specificities,Specificities, Species,Specificity, Species