Description
Key facts
Detection method:Colorimetric/Fluorometric,
Sample types:Plasma, Serum, Cell Lysate,
Assay type:Enzyme activity,
Sensitivity:= 0.1 mU/mL,
Assay time:20m,
Assay Platform:Microplate reader
Product details:
Acetylcholinesterase Assay Kit (Fluorometric -Red) ( ab138873) uses a red indicator to quantify the choline produced from the hydrolysis of acetylcholine by AChE through choline oxidase-mediated enzyme coupling reactions.
The assay can be used for monitoring and quantifying AChE activity in blood, cell extracts or other solutions. The fluorescence intensity of the indicator is proportional to the amount of choline formed, which is proportional to the AChE activity.
The assay is an optimized "mix and read" assay using a simple one-step fluorometric protocol to detect as little as 0.01 mU AChE in a 100 μl assay volume (0.1 mU/ml). The assay can be performed in a 96-well or 384-well microtiter-plate format, and can be easily read with a fluorescence microplate reader at Ex/Em = 540/590 nm or with an absorbance microplate reader at OD = 575 nm.
Acetylcholinesterase assay protocol summary:
- add samples and standards to wells
- add assay mixture and incubate for 10-30 min
- analyze with microplate reader
Please note this product does not differentiate between acetylcholesterase (AchE) or butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) activity as both enzymes can hydrolyze acetylcholine.
If you are looking for a colorimetric kit, we recommend Acetylcholinesterase Assay Kit (Colorimetric) (ab138871). If your plate reader has a filter to measure green fluorescnce (Ex/Em = 490/520 nm), you can use Acetylcholinesterase Assay Kit (Fluorometric - Green) (ab138872)
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.
