Acetylthiocholine
Acetylthiocholine is a thiocholine ester used as a fast-acting substrate for the measurement of cholinesterase activity in biological tissues. It is structurally similar to acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter involved in many functions of the body, including muscle movement and memory formation.
Structure and Properties[edit | edit source]
Acetylthiocholine is composed of an acetyl group attached to a thiocholine moiety. The presence of a sulfur atom in the thiocholine group distinguishes acetylthiocholine from acetylcholine, which contains an oxygen atom instead. This structural difference allows acetylthiocholine to be used as a substrate for cholinesterase enzymes, which cleave the molecule at the acetyl-thiocholine bond.
Uses in Research[edit | edit source]
In scientific research, acetylthiocholine is often used to measure the activity of cholinesterase enzymes. These enzymes, which include acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase, are important for regulating the levels of acetylcholine in the body. By using acetylthiocholine as a substrate, researchers can monitor the activity of these enzymes in a variety of biological tissues, including blood, brain, and muscle.
Health Implications[edit | edit source]
Alterations in cholinesterase activity can have significant health implications. For example, decreased acetylcholinesterase activity is associated with Alzheimer's disease, a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by memory loss and cognitive decline. Conversely, increased cholinesterase activity can lead to excessive breakdown of acetylcholine, resulting in conditions such as myasthenia gravis, a neuromuscular disease that causes muscle weakness.
Safety and Toxicity[edit | edit source]
While acetylthiocholine is generally considered safe for use in laboratory settings, it should be handled with care due to its potential to inhibit cholinesterase activity. Prolonged exposure can lead to symptoms of cholinergic toxicity, including salivation, lacrimation, urination, defecation, gastrointestinal upset, and emesis (SLUDGE syndrome).
See Also[edit | edit source]
.svg){kind=small}
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
