cholinesterases
Last reviewed 01/2018
Cholinesterases are enzymes which hydrolyse the neurotransmitter acetylcholine.
There are two main groups:
- true cholinesterase:
- localised to cholinergic synapses
- specific for acetylcholine
- membrane-bound
- pseudocholinesterase:
- hydrolyses butyrylcholine faster than acetylcholine
- non-specific
- important in the metabolism of drugs such as suxamethonium
- found soluble in the plasma