Merck, MAK554-1KT, Fluorimetric Acetylcholinesterase Assay Kit

General description
Acetylcholinesterase, also known as AChE, is an enzyme that degrades (through its hydrolytic activity) the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, producing choline and an acetate group. It is mainly found at neuromuscular junctions and cholinergic synapses in the central nervous system, where its activity serves to terminate synaptic transmission. AChE has a high catalytic activity- each molecule of AChE degrades about 5000 molecules of acetylcholine per second. Acetylcholinesterase is also found on the red blood cell membranes, where it constitutes the Yt blood group antigen. Acetylcholinesterase exists in multiple molecular forms, which possess similar catalytic properties, but differ in their oligomeric assembly and mode of attachment to the cell surface.
Biochem/physiol Actions
The Fluorimetric Acetylcholinesterase Assay Kit provides a sensitive method for detecting AChE activity. The kit uses a green substrate to quantify the thiocholine produced from the hydrolysis of acetylthiocholine by AChE. The fluorescence intensity of the substrate is proportional to the formation of thiolcholine, thus the AChE activity.