Structure-activity relationships in acetylcholinesterase reactions. Hydrolysis of non-ionic acetic esters.

The Michaelis-Menten parameters kcat, Ks(app) and the second-order rate constants kII = k2/Ks of acetylcholinesterase-catalyzed hydrolysis of 25 acetic esters with non-ionic leaving groups have been determined at 25 degree C and pH 7.5 in 0.15 M KCL. A linear relationship between the substrate noncovalent binding capacity and the leaving group hydrophobicity, and a multiparameter correlation of the acetylation reaction rate constant logarithm with the leaving group inductive effect, hydrophobicity, and steric effect, have been established. The acetyl-enzyme deacetylation rate constant has been calculated. Taken together, a fairly complete understanding of acetylcholinesterase specificity is possible. The data are consistent with a model of the acetylcholinesterase active site, in which the catalytically active groups are located at the bottom of a jaws-like slit with a limited range of hydrophobic walls that provide the sorption of the substrate leaving groups not longer than that in n-butyl acetate.