acetylcholinesterase

American  

[uh-seet-l-koh-luh-nes-tuh-reys, -reyz, uh-set-, as-i-tl-] / əˌsit lˌkoʊ ləˈnɛs təˌreɪs, -ˌreɪz, əˌsɛt-, ˌæs ɪ tl- /

noun

Biochemistry.

1. an enzyme that hydrolyzes the neurotransmitter acetylcholine: its action is blocked by nerve gases and certain drugs.

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acetylcholinesterase British  

/ ˈæsɪtaɪl-, əˈsiːtaɪlˌkəʊliːnˈɛstərˌeɪz /

noun

1. an enzyme in nerve cells that is responsible for the destruction of acetylcholine and thus for switching off excitation of the nerve

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Etymology

Origin of acetylcholinesterase

First recorded in 1945–50; acetylcholine + esterase

Example Sentences

That said, he finds the data provided—that drowned ants exhibited high levels of acetylcholinesterase inhibition—are circumstantial at best.

From Science Magazine • Nov. 29, 2023

The enzyme acetylcholinesterase removes lingering acetylcholine from the synaptic cleft.

From Textbooks • Jun. 9, 2022

These drugs, called acetylcholinesterase inhibitors, can help treat neurodegenerative conditions such as Alzheimer’s.

From Scientific American • Apr. 21, 2022

Whenever you do anything muscle-related, your neurons use acetylcholinesterase as a signal to basically say “go move your muscles.”

From The Verge • Mar. 17, 2022

They showed much higher levels of acetylcholinesterase, an enzyme that accelerates the transmission of neural signals.

From New York Times • Aug. 16, 2017