Description
Key facts
Detection method:Fluorescent,
Sample types:Cell culture extracts, Whole Blood,
Assay type:Enzyme activity,
Sensitivity:= 0.1 mU/mL,
Assay Platform:Microplate reader
Product details:
Acetylcholinesterase Assay KIt (Fluorometric - Green) (ab138872) uses a Thiol Green Indicator to quantify the thiocholine produced from the hydrolysis of acetylthiocholine by AChE in blood, in cell extracts, and in other solutions.
Thiol Green Indicator is not fluorescent until reacted with a thiol group. It has spectral properties similar to those of fluorescein, making this assay compatible with almost every fluorescence instrument. The fluorescence intensity of Thiol Green Indicator is used to measure AChE activity. Compared to the existing thiol probes (e.g., mBBr and bBBr), Thiol Green Indicator is much more sensitive.
This product is an optimized "mix-and-read" assay that provides an ultrasensitive fluorometric one-step protocol to detect as little as 0.01mU AChE in a 100 μl assay volume (0.1 mU/ml). The assay can be performed in a convenient 96-well or 384-well microtiter-plate format. Its signal can be easily read by a fluorescence microplate reader at Ex/Em = 490/520 nm.
Please note this product does not differentiate between acetylcholesterase (AchE) or butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) activity as both enzymes can hydrolyze acetylcholine.
Related AChE assay kits
For a colorimetric assay readout, use Acetylcholinesterase Assay Kit (Colorimetric) (ab138871)
If your plate reader has a filter to measure red fluorescence (Ex/Em = 540/590 nm), use Acetylcholinesterase Assay Kit (Fluorometric - Red) (ab138873)
Other notes
Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) is one of the most crucial enzymes for nerve response and function. AChE degrades the neurotransmitter acetylcholine (ACh) into choline and acetic acid. It is mainly found at neuromuscular junctions and cholinergic synapses in the central nervous system, where its activity serves to terminate the synaptic transmission. AChE inhibitors are among the key drugs approved for Alzheimer's disease (AD) and myasthenia gravis.
Properties and Storage Information:
Shipped at conditions-Blue Ice, Appropriate short-term storage conditions--20°C, Appropriate long-term storage conditions--20°C, Storage information--20°C
Supplementary Information:
This supplementary information is collated from multiple sources and compiled automatically.
Acetylcholinesterase also known as AChE is an enzyme with a molecular mass of approximately 67 kDa. It plays a critical role in neurotransmission by catalyzing the hydrolysis of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine into acetate and choline. This reaction occurs at neuromuscular junctions and cholinergic synapses therefore terminating synaptic transmission. AChE is highly expressed in muscle and brain tissue particularly in the synaptic cleft where it regulates the nerve signal terminations.
Biological function summary
Acetylcholinesterase is essential for maintaining neurotransmission dynamics by ensuring timely acetylcholine breakdown. It does not function as part of a larger enzyme complex but its activity is necessary for efficient synaptic signaling in the nervous system. This enzymatic action prevents continuous stimulation of muscles and nerves by rapidly degrading acetylcholine thereby ensuring proper muscle contraction and cognitive processes.
Pathways
Acetylcholinesterase participates significantly in the cholinergic system. It influences cholinergic signaling pathways by inactivating acetylcholine after its release into the synaptic cleft. This function aligns acetylcholinesterase closely with receptors like nicotinic and muscarinic acetylcholine receptors. It indirectly affects signal transduction pathways that involve these receptors with potential downstream effects on ion channels and intracellular messengers.
Acetylcholinesterase plays a significant role in Alzheimer's disease and myasthenia gravis. In Alzheimer's disease decreased acetylcholinesterase function can lead to accumulations of acetylcholine and disrupted signaling contributing to cognitive dysfunction. Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors are therapeutic in such contexts. For myasthenia gravis a disorder affecting neuromuscular transmission the enzyme's interaction with antibodies targets synaptic acetylcholine receptors. This interaction results in weakened muscle contractions correlating with condition severity.
