Department of Physiological Sciences, Interdisciplinary Toxicology Program, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA.
Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55902, USA.
Biochem Pharmacol. 2018 Jul;153:205-216. doi: 10.1016/j.bcp.2018.01.044. Epub 2018 Jan 31.
Acetylcholinesterase (AChE, EC 3.1.1.7) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE, EC 3.1.1.8) are related enzymes found across the animal kingdom. The critical role of acetylcholinesterase in neurotransmission has been known for almost a century, but a physiological role for butyrylcholinesterase is just now emerging. The cholinesterases have been deliberately targeted for both therapy and toxicity, with cholinesterase inhibitors being used in the clinic for a variety of disorders and conversely for their toxic potential as pesticides and chemical weapons. Non-catalytic functions of the cholinesterases (ChEs) participate in both neurodevelopment and disease. Manipulating either the catalytic activities or the structure of these enzymes can potentially shift the balance between beneficial and adverse effect in a wide number of physiological processes.
乙酰胆碱酯酶（AChE，EC 3.1.1.7）和丁酰胆碱酯酶（BChE，EC 3.1.1.8）是在动物界中发现的相关酶。乙酰胆碱酯酶在神经传递中的关键作用已经为人所知近一个世纪，但丁酰胆碱酯酶的生理作用才刚刚出现。人们故意针对胆碱酯酶进行治疗和毒性研究，临床上使用胆碱酯酶抑制剂治疗各种疾病，而胆碱酯酶抑制剂作为杀虫剂和化学武器也具有潜在毒性。胆碱酯酶（ChEs）的非催化功能参与神经发育和疾病。操纵这些酶的催化活性或结构可能会在许多生理过程中改变有益和有害影响之间的平衡。
