Interaction of membrane-bound and solubilized erythrocyte acetylcholinesterase with carbamates

Physostigmine and neostigmine methylsulphate are shown to be the most strong inhibitors of acetylcholine esterase of human erythrocytes. The action of baigon is less pronounced and pyrimor is characterized as the weakest inhibitor. No differences are found between the membrane-bound and solubilized acetylcholine esterase relative to their ability to be inhibited by these carbamates. The preliminary treatment of acetylcholine esterase with carbamates protects the enzyme from the subsequent inhibition by the organophosphoric inhibitor. A higher concentration (1.6-2.1 times) of physostigmine and pyrimor and lower (1.7-1.9 times) one of baigon and neostigmine methylsulphate are needed for protection of the soluble enzyme than of the membrane-bound enzyme.     

Proton acceptor properties of the blood plasma of a series of vertebrates

Comparative studies have been made on the kinetics of thermal denaturation of the blood plasma of various vertebrates (lampreys, teleosts, frogs, tortoises, pigeons, mice, rats, rabbits, cats, dogs, man) by measuring ionization equilibrium of protein solution at elevated temperature. It was demonstrated that during the initial stage of heat denaturation at 58 degrees the blood plasma of all the animals studied binds protons practically linearly. Among the animals studied, the highest protonoacceptor capacity exhibited the plasma of warm-blooded animals; it was lower in tortoises frogs and teleost fishes, being the lowest one in lampreys. Comparison of total electric charge of plasma proteins evaluated by potentiometric titration with data on thermal denturation of plasma revealed positive correlation between the charge and protonoacceptor properties of the plasma.     

Comparative study of cholinergic activity of some tropolone and isoquinoline alkaloids

Comparative study was performed of action of a group of 15 isoquinoline homoproaporphine and homoaporphine alkaloids, 10 tropolone colchicine alkaloids and their lumoderivatives that were isolated from corms of a representative of the lily family, the showy autumn crocus Colchicum speciosum Stev. on activity of mammalian erythrocyte acetylcholinesterase and serum butyrylcholinesterase. The studied compounds have turned out to be moderate-potency reversible inhibitors of the studied cholinesterases and to show to a certain degree some specificity of action towards different enzymes both quantitatively, by the ratio of total inhibitor constant values, and qualitatively, by the type of mechanism of the enzymatic activity inhibition. The overwhelming majority of the studied alkaloids revealed certain specificity towards butyrylcholinesterase. An exception was colchamine.     

Kinetic analysis of the “substrate protective effect” in cholinesterases of different origin

The authors’ own and literature data are summarized on interaction of 17 irreversible organophosphorus inhibitors with different types of cholinesterases (ChE): erythrocyte acetylcholinesterase (AChE), serum butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE), and cholinesterase of the Pacific squidTodarodes pacificus, in the presence of 9 substrates. The kinetic analysis of the “substrate protective effect” based on A.P. Brestkin’s equation is performed, and the current interpretation of individual components of this process is done. An essential effect of the inhibitor structure on individual phases of the reaction is revealed. Among choline substrates, only formylcholine did not show a protective effect. The inability of an uncationic substrate, phenylacetate, to regulate ChE reactivity is confirmed. Among the studied ChE, the highest substrate protective effect was revealed in the Pacific squid ChE.