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.

---

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

---

Etymology

Origin of acetylcholinesterase

First recorded in 1945–50; acetylcholine + esterase

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

acetylcholinesterase

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

For example, some drugs that are given to Alzheimer’s patients work by inhibiting acetylcholinesterase, the enzyme that degrades acetylcholine.

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

So historically, experiments have been done with different types of molecules to see whether they inhibit acetylcholinesterase.

From The Verge ● Mar. 17, 2022

Toxicologists say that the first days after a poisoning are a crucial threshold for survival, as the body struggles to resynthesize an enzyme, acetylcholinesterase, which is inhibited by nerve agents.

From New York Times ● Jul. 7, 2018