Long before onset of synaptogenesis in the chicken neural tube, the closely related enzymes butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) are expressed in a mutually exclusive manner. Accordingly, neuroblasts on the ventricular side of the neural tube transiently express BChE before they abruptly accumulate AChE while approaching the outer brain surface. 2. By exploiting AChE as a sensitive and early histochemical differentiation marker, we have demonstrated complex polycentric waves of differentiation spreading upon the cranial part of the chicken neural tube but a smooth rostrocaudal wave along the spinal cord. Shortly after expression of AChE, these cells extend long projecting neurites. In particular, segmented spinal motor axons originate from AChE-positive motoneurones; they navigate through a BChE-active zone within the rostral half of the sclerotomes before contacting BChE/AChE-positive myotome cells. At synaptogenetic stages, cholinesterases additionally are detectable in neurofibrillar laminae foreshadowing the establishment of cholinergic synapses. 3. In order to elucidate the functional significance of cholinesterases at early stages, we have investigated specific cholinesterase molecules and their mechanisms of action in vivo and in vitro. A developmental shift from the low molecular weight forms to the tetramers of both enzymes has been determined. In vitro, the addition of a selective BChE inhibitor leads to a reduction of AChE gene expression. Thus, in vivo and in vitro data suggest roles of cholinesterases in the regulation of cell proliferation and neurite growth. 4. Future research has to show whether neurogenetic functioning of cholinesterases can help to understand their reported alterations in neural tube defects, mental retardations, dementias and in some tumours.
