Skip to main content

Thank you for visiting nature.com. You are using a browser version with limited support for CSS. To obtain the best experience, we recommend you use a more up to date browser (or turn off compatibility mode in Internet Explorer). In the meantime, to ensure continued support, we are displaying the site without styles and JavaScript.

  • Letter
  • Published:

The Possible Biological Function of Pseudo-cholinesterase

Abstract

ALTHOUGH the main function of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) at the synapses of cholinergic nerves has been fairly well established, the biological role of pseudo-cholinesterase (PsChE) has not1–3,13. It has been proposed, however, that the latter enzyme is concerned with relatively slow nerve conduction processes2, and that the blood cholinesterases might be important in limiting responses to hydrolysable cholinergic agents4.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution

Access options

Buy this article

Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Hawkins, R. D., and Mendel, B., Brit. J. Pharmacol., 2, 173 (1947). Hawkins, R. D., and Gunter, J. M., Biochem. J., 40, 192 (1946). Mendel, B., and Myers, D. K., Nature, 176, 783 (1955). Pittoni, A., and Pasetto, N., Atti e mem. accad. patavina sci. lettere ed arti, Pt. 2, 65, 132 (1953). Myers, D. K., Biochem. J., 55, 67 (1953).

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Bergmann, F., and Wurzel, M., Biochim. Biophys. Acta, 13, 251 (1954).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Cullumbine, H., Handbuch der Experimentellen Pharmakologie, edit. by Eichler, O., and Farah, A., 15, 505 (Springer-Verlag, Berlin, 1963).

    Google Scholar 

  4. Karczmar, A. G., and Koppanyi, T., J. Pharmacol., 116, 245 (1956).

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Whittaker, V. P., Physiol. Rev., 31, 312 (1951).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Burgen, A. S. V., and MacIntosh, F. C., Neurochemistry, edit. by Elliot, K. A. C., Page, I. H., and Quastel, J. H., 311 (C. C. Thomas, Springfield, Illinois, 1955).

    Google Scholar 

  7. Whittaker, V. P., Handbuch der Experimentellen Pharmakologie, edit. by Eichler, O., and Farah, A., 15, 1 (Springer-Verlag, Berlin, 1963).

    Google Scholar 

  8. Koelle, G. B., Handbuch der Experimentellen Pharmakologie, edit. by Eichler, O., and Farah, A., 15, 187 (Springer-Verlag, Berlin, 1963). Sawyer, C. H., and Everett, J. W., Amer. J. Physiol., 148, 675 (1947).

    Google Scholar 

  9. Berry, J. F., and Whittaker, V. P., Biochem. J., 73, 447 (1959).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Lynen, F., Harvey Lectures, 48, 210 (New York, Academic Press, 1952–53); Fed. Proc., 12, 683 (1953). Lynen, F., and Ochoa, S., Biochim. Biophys. Acta, 12, 299 (1953). Green, D. E., Biol. Rev., 29, 330 (1954).

    Google Scholar 

  11. Chang, H. C., and Gaddum, J. H., J. Physiol., 79, 255 (1933).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Strelitz, F., Biochem. J., 38, 86 (1944).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Holmstedt, B., and Sjöqvist, F., Biochem. Pharmacol., 3, 297 (1960). Kewitz, H., Naturwiss., 46, 495 (1959); Arch. exp. Path. Pharmak., 237, 308 (1959).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

CLITHEROW, J., MITCHARD, M. & HARPER, N. The Possible Biological Function of Pseudo-cholinesterase. Nature 199, 1000–1001 (1963). https://doi.org/10.1038/1991000a0

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/1991000a0

This article is cited by

Comments

By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.

Search

Quick links

Nature Briefing

Sign up for the Nature Briefing newsletter — what matters in science, free to your inbox daily.

Get the most important science stories of the day, free in your inbox. Sign up for Nature Briefing