Author/Editor     Stojan, Rok; Stojan, Žiga; Stojan, Jure
Title     Holin-esteraze: struktura, delovanje ter inhibicija z naravnimi in sintetičnimi strupi
Translated title     Cholinesterases: structure, mechanism and inhibition by natural and synthetic poisons
Type     članek
Source     Med Razgl
Vol. and No.     Letnik 47, št. 3
Publication year     2008
Volume     str. 293-307
Language     slo
Abstract     Cholinesterases are involved in terminating nerve impulses in the central nervous system and at the periphery. The high enzyme concentration at the cholinergic synapses is achieved by oligomerization on an anchoring, collagen-like peptide. The 3D structure of a monomer shows a buried active site, which is responsible for the effectiveness and specificity of the enzyme, but also for various pseudocooperative phenomena. Due to its important role, acetylcholinesterase is a target for various inhibitors, natural as well as artificial ones. Reversible inhibitors prevent substrate accommodation by stericaily blocking the active site and the irreversible ones act as acylating agents that modify the active site serine, the major participant in covalent catalysis. When irreversibly inhibited by potent nerve gases, cholinesterases can be reactivated, unless partial dealkylation of the bound inhibitor has occurred. This particular phenomenon, called aging of cholinesterases, along with generalized cytotoxic effect appear to be the cause of organophosphate-induced delayed neurotoxicity in nerve gas poisoned casualties.
Descriptors     CHOLINESTERASES
CHOLINESTERASE INHIBITORS
ACETYLCHOLINESTERASE
BINDING SITES
KINETICS
ENZYME REACTIVATORS
CHEMICAL WARFARE AGENTS