| Abstract: | Abstract—The effect of pentylenetetrazol (PTZ) on acetylcholinesterase (E.C.3.1.1.7) was studied in vitro. The kinetics of the reaction were studied on AChE in crude homogenates of rat brain and in purified preparations from Electrophorus electricus. The Km for rat brain AChE was 1·22 × 10-4m, with a Vmax of 1·37 μmol/g/min whereas the K4 for competitive inhibition of the enzyme by PTZ was 4·7 × 10-3m. The commercially purified enzyme exhibited a Km of 1·73 × 10-4m and a Ki of 1·00 × 10-3m. |
