Human Acetylcholinesterase

The human acetylcholinesterase (AChE) is an enzyme which hydrolyses the neurotransmitter Acethylcholin (ACh) in the neuromuscular junctions and in other cholinergic synapses to terminate the neuronal signal.

It has an ellipsoidal shape with dimensions ~ 4,5nm x 6nm x 6,5nm. This protein is composed of 531 residues. It consists of 12-stranded, central mixed surrounded by 14 .

In the physiological conditions, AChE exists as tetramers associated with either collagen-like Q subunit (ColQ) or proline-rich membrane-anchoring protein (PRiMA). The AChE is linked with these anchoring molecules by a "tryptophan amphiphilic tetramerization" domain (WAT). There is also a monomeric form which is soluble in the blood.

The Active site gorge of AChE

The active site of AChE involves two sites: the peripheral site and the catalytic site.

The peripheral site is a transitional binding site of the substrate. It provides a region rich in aromatic amino acids that guide the ligands (ACh or other agonists) by setting an array of low-affinity binding sites. This hydrophobic region traps ACh and transfers it to the deep catalytic site.

The catalytic site of AChE consists of two subsites: the "esteratic" site and "the anionic" site.

In the "esteratic site" a catalytic triad consisting of forms a planar array that resembles the catalytic triad of serine proteases.

S203 is activated (it becomes nucleophilic) by E334 and H447. This activation allows the following reaction: the acylation between hydroxyl group of S203 and ACh oxygen (or other agonists). A covalent bond between the enzyme and the substrate creates an oxyanion. This oxyanion then reacts with two glycins setting up a hydrogen bond. In the "anionic" site, the binds trimethylammonium group of ACh.

Further to these steps the substrate is well positioned to be hydrolysed into acetic acid and cholin.

Inhibitors of AChE

Fasciculin II

Fasciculin is a snake toxin. It is a little protein of 7kDa which inhibits AChE in binding the peripheric site, preventing the substrate from passing through the narrower portion of the gorge towards the catalytic site. This inhibition is almost irreversible. The toxin is the one used in cristallisation of the Human acetylcholinesterase (in green on the picture).

Inhibitors used as treatments

We can find a lot of inhibitors such as in Alzheimer's disease drugs treatment. Actually, Alzheimer's disease is a neurodegenerative disease in which ACh is less present. An inhibition approach can be used to increase the remaining of ACh in the synaptic cleft by inhibiting the action of AChE. These treatments include rivastigmine, donepezil and tacrine. However, these drugs do not cure this disease, but only delay its development.

The molecule which has been the most studied is tacrine. A monomer of tacrine binds strongly to the peripheral site, preventing the subtrate from entry. When tacrine is in the dimer shape, it can bind the catalytic and peripheral sites of AChE.

References, for further information on Acetylcholinesterase

To the structures used here:

- Li W, Mak M, Jiang H, Wang Q, Pang Y, Chen K & Han Y (2009) "Novel anti-Alzheimer's dimer Bis(7)-cognitin: cellular and molecular mechanisms of neuroprotection through multiple targets", Neurotherapeutics, vol.6, p.187-201.

- Zhang D & McCammon JA (2005) "The association of tetrameric acetylcholinesterase with colQ tail: a block normal mode analysis", PLoS Comput Biology, vol.1, p.484-491.

To the active site of acetylcholinesterase

- Rosenberry TL (2009) "Strategies to resolve the catalytic mechanism of acetylcholinesterase", Journal of Molecular Neuroscience.

- Currently (November 05, 2009), part of the content of this page is inspired from a source: http://www.biochimie.univ-montp2.fr/licence/enzymo/ache/ache.htm

Hélène ERASIMUS, Blandine FAUVEL, Tiphaine Jaeg 17:08, 12 November 2009 (IST)