Acetylcholinesterase - AChE: A pharmacological interesting enzyme

Abstract

Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) has an unquestionable importance to functioning of cholinergic synapses present in our central and peripheral nervous system, which makes this enzyme an attractive target for the development of new drugs. In this context, knowledge of methods that can be employed to assess the enzymatic activity of AChE is an important factor to the success of scientific research related to this enzyme. Thus, this paper initially deals with the AChE and molecules capable of inhibiting or reactivate this biological catalyst. Then, are explained the basics of the different methodologies used to determine the enzymatic activity of AChE, from the simple and inexpensive, to methods that require larger investments in reagents and equipment. With this review, the authors provide some alternatives to the researchers to conduct the experiments involving the determination of AChE activity, so that they can evaluate and choose the most appropriate method for their trials.