Kinetic analysis of butyrylcholinesterase-catalyzed hydrolysis of acetanilides

The aryl-acylamidase (AAA) activity of butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) has been known for a long time. However, the kinetic mechanism of aryl-acylamide hydrolysis by BuChE has not been investigated. Therefore, the catalytic properties of human BuChE and its peripheral site mutant (D70G) toward neutral and charged aryl-acylamides were determined. Three neutral (o-nitroacetanilide, m-nitroacetanilide, o-nitrophenyltrifluoroacetamide) and one positively charged (3-(acetamido) N,N,N-trimethylanilinium, ATMA) acetanilides were studied. Hydrolysis of ATMA by wild-type and D70G enzymes showed a long transient phase preceding the steady state. The induction phase was characterized by a hysteretic "burst". This reflects the existence of two enzyme states in slow equilibrium with different catalytic properties. Steady-state parameters for hydrolysis of the three acetanilides were compared to catalytic parameters for hydrolysis of esters giving the same acetyl intermediate. Wild-type BuChE showed substrate activation while D70G displayed a Michaelian behavior with ATMA as with positively charged esters. Owing to the low affinity of BuChE for amide substrates, the hydrolysis kinetics of neutral amides was first order. Acylation was the rate-determining step for hydrolysis of aryl-acetylamide substrates. Slow acylation of the enzyme, relative to that by esters may, in part, be due suboptimal fit of the aryl-acylamides in the active center of BuChE. The hypothesis that AAA and esterase active sites of BuChE are non-identical was tested with mutant BuChE. It was found that mutations on the catalytic serine, S198C and S198D, led to complete loss of both activities. The silent variant (FS117) had neither esterase nor AAA activity. Mutation in the peripheral site (D70G) had the same effect on esterase and AAA activities. Echothiophate inhibited both activities identically. It was concluded that the active sites for esterase and AAA activities are identical, i.e. S198. This excludes any other residue present in the gorge for being the catalytic nucleophile pole.     

The level of aryl acylamidase activity displayed by human butyrylcholinesterase depends on its molecular distribution

Butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) display both esterase and aryl acylamidase (AAA) activities. Their AAA activity can be measured using o-nitroacetanilide (ONA). In human samples depleted of acetylcholinesterase, we noticed that the ratio of amidase to esterase activities varied depending on the source, despite both activities being due to BuChE. Searching for an explanation, we compared the activities of BuChE molecular forms in samples of human colon, kidney and serum, and observed that BuChE monomers (G(1)) hydrolyzed o-nitroacetanilide much faster than tetramers (G(4)). This fact suggested that association might cause differences in the AAA site between single and polymerized subunits. This and other post-translational modifications in BuChE subunits probably determine their level of AAA activity. The higher amidase activity of monomers could justify the presence of single BuChE subunits in cells as a way to preserve the AAA activity of BuChE, which could be lost by oligomerization.     

Human butyrylcholinesterase components differ in aryl acylamidase activity

Apart from its esterase activity, butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) displays aryl acylamidase (AAA) activity able to hydrolyze o-nitroacetanilide (ONA) and its trifluoro-derivative (F-ONA). We report here that, despite amidase and esterase sites residing in the same protein, in human samples depleted of acetylcholinesterase the ratio of amidase to esterase activity varied depending on the source of BuChE. The much faster degradation of ONA and F-ONA by BuChE monomers (G1) of colon and kidney than by the tetramers (G4) suggests aggregation-driven differences in the AAA site between single and polymerized subunits. The similar ratio of F-ONAto butyrylthiocholine hydrolysis by serum G1 and G4 forms support structural differences in the amidase site according to the source of BuChE. The changing ratios of amidase to esterase activities in the human sources probably arise from post-translational modifications in BuChE subunits, the specific proportion of monomers and oligomers and the variable capacity of the tetramers for degrading ONA and F-ONA. The elevated amidase activity of BuChE monomers and the scant activity of the tetramers justify the occurrence of single BuChE subunits in cells as a means to sustain the AAA activity of BuChE which otherwise could be lost by tetramerization.     

Butyrylcholinesterase-Mediated enhancement of the enzymatic activity of trypsin

1. Acetylcholinesterase (AChE, EC 3.1.1.7) and butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE, EC 3.1.1.8) are enzymes that catalyze the hydrolysis of esters of choline.2. Both AChE and BuChE have been shown to copurify with peptidases.3. BuChE has also been shown to copurify with other proteins such as transferrin, with which it forms a stable complex. In addition, BuChE is found in association with -amyloid protein in Alzheimer brain tissues.4. Since BuChE copurifies with peptidases, we hypothesized that BuChE interacts with these enzymes and that this association had an influence on their catalytic activities. One of the peptidases that copurifies with cholinesterases has specificity similar to trypsin, hence, this enzyme was used as a model to test this hypothesis.5. Purified BuChE causes a concentration-dependent enhancement of the catalytic activity of trypsin while trypsin does not influence the catalytic activity of BuChE.6. We suggest that, in addition to its esterase activity, BuChE may assume a regulatory role by interacting with other proteins.     

Concentration-dependent reversible activation-inhibition of human butyrylcholinesterase by tetraethylammonium ion.

Tetraalkylammonium (TAA) salts are well known reversible inhibitors of cholinesterases. However, at concentrations around 10 mm, they have been found to activate the hydrolysis of positively charged substrates, catalyzed by wild-type human butyrylcholinesterase (EC 3.1.1.8) [Erdoes, E.G., Foldes, F.F., Zsigmond, E.K., Baart, N. & Zwartz, J.A. (1958) Science 128, 92]. The present study was undertaken to determine whether the peripheral anionic site (PAS) of human BuChE (Y332, D70) and/or the catalytic substrate binding site (CS) (W82, A328) are involved in this phenomenon. For this purpose, the kinetics of butyrylthiocholine (BTC) hydrolysis by wild-type human BuChE, by selected mutants and by horse BuChE was carried out at 25 degreeC and pH 7.0 in the presence of tetraethylammonium (TEA). It appears that human enzymes with more intact structure of the PAS show more prominent activation phenomenon. The following explanation has been put forward: TEA competes with the substrate at the peripheral site thus inhibiting the substrate hydrolysis at the CS. As the inhibition by TEA is less effective than the substrate inhibition itself, it mimics activation. At the concentrations around 40 mm, well within the range of TEA competition at both substrate binding sites, it lowers the activity of all tested enzymes.     

Biotransformation of 2-benzoxazolinone and 2-hydroxy-1,4-benzoxazin-3-one by endophytic fungi isolated from Aphelandra tetragona

The biotransformation of the phytoanticipins 2-benzoxazolinone (BOA) and 2-hydroxy-1,4-benzoxazin-3-one (HBOA) by four endophytic fungi isolated from Aphelandra tetragona was studied. Using high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, several new products of acylation, oxidation, reduction, hydrolysis, and nitration were identified. Fusarium sambucinum detoxified BOA and HBOA to N-(2-hydroxyphenyl)malonamic acid. Plectosporium tabacinum, Gliocladium cibotii, and Chaetosphaeria sp. transformed HBOA to 2-hydroxy-N-(2-hydroxyphenyl)acetamide, N-(2-hydroxyphenyl)acetamide, N-(2-hydroxy-5-nitrophenyl)acetamide, N-(2-hydroxy-3-nitrophenyl)acetamide, 2-amino-3H-phenoxazin-3-one, 2-acetylamino-3H-phenoxazin-3-one, and 2-(N-hydroxy)acetylamino-3H-phenoxazin-3-one. BOA was not degraded by these three fungal isolates. Using 2-hydroxy-N-(2-hydroxyphenyl)[(13)C(2)]acetamide, it was shown that the metabolic pathway for HBOA and BOA degradation leads to o-aminophenol as a key intermediate.     

Modulation of glucose transporters in rat diaphragm by sodium tungstate

The somatic isoform of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) consists of two homologous domains (N- and C-domains), each bearing a catalytic site. We have used the two-domain ACE form and its individual domains to compare characteristics of different domains and to probe mutual functioning of the two active sites within a bovine ACE molecule. The substrate Cbz-Phe-His-Leu (N-carbobenzoxy-L-phenylalanyl-L-histidyl-L-leucine; from the panel of seven) was hydrolyzed faster by the N-domain, the substrates FA-Phe-Gly-Gly (N-(3-[2-furyl]acryloyl)-L-phenylalanyl-glycyl-glycine) and Hip-His-Leu (N-benzoyl-glycyl-L-histidyl-L-leucine) were hydrolyzed by both domains with equal rates, while other substrates were preferentially hydrolyzed by the C-domain. The inhibitor captopril ((2S)-1-(3-mercapto-2-methylpropionyl)-L-proline) bound to the N-domain more effectively than to the C-domain, whereas lisinopril ((S)-N(alpha)-(1-carboxy-3-phenylpropyl)-L-lysyl-L-proline) bound to equal extent with all ACE forms. However, active site titration with lisinopril assayed by hydrolysis of FA-Phe-Gly-Gly revealed that 1 mol of inhibitor/mol of enzyme abolished the activity of either two-domain or single-domain ACE forms, indicating that a single active site functions in bovine somatic ACE. Neither of the k(cat) values obtained for somatic enzyme was the sum of k(cat) values for individual domains, but in every case the value of the catalytic constant of the hydrolysis of the substrate by the two-domain ACE represented the mean quantity of the values of the corresponding catalytic constants obtained for single-domain forms. The results indicate that the two active sites within bovine somatic ACE exhibit strong negative cooperativity.     

Specificity of action of piperidylcholine derivatives as substrates of cholinesterases of various origin

The review deals with study of enzymologic properties of a novel highly specific acetylcholinesterase substrate, N-(β-acetoxyethyl) piperidinium iodomethylate (“piperidylcholine”), and its 30 derivatives that were tested as effectors of cholinesterases of mammals and various species of Pacific squids. It was proven for the first time that responsible for specificity of action was structure of cyclic ammonium grouping of the alcohol part of molecule of the ester substrate. Analysis of specificity is performed based on enzymatic hydrolysis parameters—activity of catalytic center of cholinesterases and bimolecular constant of the reaction rate that are determined at optimal and low substrate concentrations. Among the specially synthesized group of thioester compounds there is revealed one more highly specific acetylcholinesterase substrate—N-(β-acetoxyethyl) piperidinium.     

Differential binding of phenothiazine urea derivatives to wild-type human cholinesterases and butyrylcholinesterase mutants

A series of N-10 urea derivatives of phenothiazine was synthesized and each compound was evaluated for its ability to inhibit human cholinesterases. Most were specific inhibitors of BuChE. However, the potent inhibitory effects on both cholinesterases of one sub-class, the cationic aminoureas, provide an additional binding mechanism to cholinesterases for these compounds. The comparative effects of aminoureas on wild-type BuChE and several BuChE mutants indicate a binding process involving salt linkage with the aspartate of the cholinesterase peripheral anionic site. The effect of such compounds on cholinesterase activity at high substrate concentration supports ionic interaction of aminoureas at the peripheral anionic site.     

Enantiomer effects of huperzine A on the aryl acylamidase activity of human cholinesterases

1. Acetylcholinesterase (AChE, EC 3.1.1.7) and butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE, EC 3.1.1.8) are serine hydrolase enzymes that catalyze the hydrolysis of acetylcholine.2. (–) Huperzine A is an inhibitor of AChE and is being considered for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease.3. In addition to esterase activity, AChE and BuChE have intrinsic aryl acylamidase activity.4. The function of aryl acylamidase is unknown but has been speculated to be important in Alzheimer pathology.5. Kinetic effects of (–) huperzine A and ( ±)$ huperzine A on the aryl acylamidase activity of human cholinesterases were examined.6. (–) Huperzine A inhibited the aryl acylamidase activities of both AChE and BuChE.7. (±) Huperzine A inhibited this function in AChE but stimulated BuChE aryl acylamidase suggesting that the (+) enantiomer is a powerful activator of this enzyme activity.8. The two huperzine enantiomers may prove to be useful tools to examine the function of aryl acylamidase activity, including its role in Alzheimer pathology.     

Inter-tissue and inter-species comparison of butyrylcholinesterases

Butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) occurs in a multiple molecular forms whose catalytic activity depends on tissue distribution and species. The hypothesis led us to the study of BuChE catalytic properties focused on the inter-tissue and inter-species level with benzoylcholine and N-alkyl derivates of benzoylcholine (BCHn) as substrates. These compounds are soft disinfectants easily biodegradable to biologically inactive hydrolytic products, substituted choline and benzoic acid. Different sources of BuChE were used: rabbit and rat liver microsomal fraction (membrane-anchored enzyme) and serum (soluble form). Hydrolytic activity of both these BuChE forms was compared to rat recombinant BuChE (rBuChE). Hydrolytic product (benzoic acid) formation was recorded as function of time, and hydrolytic rate was determined. Tissue distribution of BuChE plays an important role in hydrolysis of BCHn. High BuChE activity was observed in a serum of both studied species rat and rabbit and was significantly dependent on a structure of substrates. Activity of soluble serum forms was the same as that for the rBuChE. Significant change of BuChE activity was recorded on the inter-species level in the microsomal fractions. It is because the rabbit microsomal BuChE activity had absolutely different course for all substrates as compared to rat microsomes. Inhibitory studies of BCHn enzymatic hydrolysis of all BuChE forms were performed to determine the level of BuChE participation in BCHn hydrolysis. It can be concluded that short-chain BCHn substrates are exclusively hydrolyzed by BuChE from all studied sources except for the rabbit liver microsomal fraction. Rabbit seems to have different enzymes involved in the hydrolysis of all studied BCHn compounds.     

Photoaffinity labeling of peptide binding sites of prolyl 4-hydroxylase with N-(4-azido-2-nitrophenyl)glycyl-(Pro-Pro-Gly)5

The synthesis is described of the photoaffinity label N-(4-azido-2-nitrophenyl)glycyl-(Pro-Pro-Gly)5 for the peptide binding site of prolyl 4-hydroxylase. The photoaffinity label is a good substrate and is capable of light-induced inactivation of prolyl 4-hydroxylase activity. Inactivation depends on the concentration of photoaffinity label and is prevented by competition with excess (Pro-Pro-Gly)5. Two moles of photoaffinity label per mole of enzyme is needed for 100% inactivation of enzymic activity. Oxidative decarboxylation of 2-oxoglutarate measured in the absence of added peptide substrate is not affected by labeling. We conclude that the covalently bound nitreno derivative of N-(4-azido-2-nitrophenyl)glycyl-(Pro-Pro-Gly)5 acts by preventing the binding of peptide substrate to the catalytic site without interfering with the binding of the other substrates and cofactors 2-oxoglutarate, O2, Fe2+, and ascorbate. Labeling is specific for the alpha subunit of the tetrameric alpha 2 beta 2 enzyme. In addition to two catalytic binding sites that are blocked by the photoaffinity label, the enzyme contains binding subsites for peptide substrates, as judged from the capability of photoinactivated enzyme to bind to a poly(L-proline) affinity column. These binding subsites may account for the rapidly increasing affinity for peptide substrates with increasing chain length.     

Hydrolysis of 4-nitrophenyl acetate catalyzed by carbonic anhydrase III from bovine skeletal muscle

We report three experiments which show that the hydrolysis of 4-nitrophenyl acetate catalyzed by carbonic anhydrase III from bovine skeletal muscle occurs at a site on the enzyme different than the active site for CO2 hydration. This is in contrast with isozymes I and II of carbonic anhydrase for which the sites of 4-nitrophenyl acetate hydrolysis and CO2 hydration are the same. The pH profile of kcat/Km for hydrolysis of 4-nitrophenyl acetate was roughly described by the ionization of a group with pKa 6.5, whereas kcat/Km for CO2 hydration catalyzed by isozyme III was independent of pH in the range of pH 6.0-8.5. The apoenzyme of carbonic anhydrase III, which is inactive in the catalytic hydration of CO2, was found to be as active in the hydrolysis of 4-nitrophenyl acetate as native isozyme III. Concentrations of N-3 and OCN- and the sulfonamides methazolamide and chlorzolamide which inhibited CO2 hydration did not affect catalytic hydrolysis of 4-nitrophenyl acetate by carbonic anhydrase III.     

Further characterization of nucleotide binding sites on chloroplast coupling factor one

The solubilized coupling factor from spinach chloroplasts (CF1) contains one nondissociable ADP/CF1 which exchanges slowly with medium ADP in the presence of Ca2+, Mg2+, or EDTA; medium ATP also exchanges in the presence of Ca2+ or EDTA, but it is hydrolyzed, and only ADP is found bound to CF1. The rate of ATP exchange with heat-activated CF1 is approximately 1000 times slower than the rate of ATP hydrolysis. In the presence of Mg2+, both latent CF1 and heat-activated CF1 bind one ATP/CF1, in addition to the ADP. This MgATP is not removed by dialysis, by gel filtration, or by the substrate CaATP during catalytic turnover; however, it is released when the enzyme is stored several days as an ammonium sulfate precipitate. The photoaffinity label 3'-O-[3-[N-(4-azido-2-nitrophenyl)amino]-propionyl]-ATP binds to the MgATP site, and photolysis results in labeling of the beta subunit of CF1. Equilibrium binding measurements indicate that CF1 has two identical binding sites for ADP with a dissociation constant of 3.9 microM (in addition to the nondissociable ADP site). When MgATP is bound to CF1, one ADP binding site with a dissociation constant of 2.9 microM is found. One ATP binding site is found in addition to the MgATP site with a dissociation constant of 2.9 microM. Reaction of CF1 with the photoaffinity label 3'-O-[3-[N-(4-azido-2-nitrophenyl)amino]propionyl]-ADP indicates that the ADP binding site which is not blocked by MgATP is located near the interface of alpha and beta subunits. No additional binding sites with dissociation constants less than 200 micro M are observed for MgATP with latent CF1 and for CaADP with heat-activated CF1. Thus, three distinct nucleotide binding sites can be identified on CF1, and the tightly bound ADP and MgATP are not at the catalytic site. The active site is either the third ADP and ATP binding site or a site not yet detected.     

Differential effect of pressure and temperature on the catalytic behaviour of wild-type human butyrylcholinesterase and its D70G mutant.

The combined action of temperature (10-35 degrees C) and pressure (0. 001-2 kbar) on the catalytic activity of wild-type human butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) and its D70G mutant was investigated at pH 7.0 using butyrylthiocholine as the substrate. The residue D70, located at the mouth of the active site gorge, is an essential component of the peripheral substrate binding site of BuChE. Results showed a break in Arrhenius plots of wild-type BuChE (at Tt approximately 22 degrees C) whatever the pressure (dTt/dP = 1.6 +/- 1.5 degrees C.kbar-1), whereas no break was observed in Arrhenius plots of the D70G mutant. These results suggested a temperature-induced conformational change of the wild-type BuChE which did not occur for the D70G mutant. For the wild-type BuChE, at around a pressure of 1 kbar, an intermediate state, whose affinity for substrate was increased, appeared. This intermediate state was not seen for the mutant enzyme. The wild-type BuChE remained active up to a pressure of 2 kbar whatever the temperature, whereas the D70G mutant was found to be more sensitive to pressure inactivation (at pressures higher than 1.5 kbar the mutant enzyme lost its activity at temperatures lower than 25 degrees C). The results indicate that the residue D70 controls the conformational plasticity of the active site gorge of BuChE, and is involved in regulation of the catalytic activity as a function of temperature.     

A collaborative endeavor to design cholinesterase-based catalytic scavengers against toxic organophosphorus esters

Wild-type human butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) has proven to be an efficient bioscavenger for protection against nerve agent toxicity. Human acetylcholinesterase (AChE) has a similar potential. A limitation to their usefulness is that both cholinesterases (ChEs) react stoichiometrically with organophosphosphorus (OP) esters. Because OPs can be regarded as pseudo-substrates for which the dephosphylation rate constant is almost zero, several strategies have been attempted to promote the dephosphylation reaction. Oxime-mediated reactivation of phosphylated ChEs generates a turnover, but it is too slow to make pseudo-catalytic scavengers of pharmacological interest. Alternatively, it was hypothesized that ChEs could be converted into OP hydrolases by using rational site-directed mutagenesis based upon the crystal structure of ChEs. The idea was to introduce a nucleophile into the oxyanion hole, at an appropriate position to promote hydrolysis of the phospho-serine bond via a base catalysis mechanism. Such mutants, if they showed the desired catalytic and pharmacokinetic properties, could be used as catalytic scavengers. The first mutant of human BuChE that was capable of hydrolyzing OPs was G117H. It had a slow rate. Crystallographic study of the G117H mutant showed that hydrolysis likely occurs by activation of a water molecule rather than direct nucleophilic attack by H117. Numerous BuChE mutants were made later, but none of them was better than the G117H mutant at hydrolyzing OPs, with the exception of soman. Soman aged too rapidly to be hydrolyzed by G117H. Hydrolysis was however accomplished with the double mutant G117H/E197Q, which did not age after phosphonylation with soman. Multiple mutations in the active center of human and Bungarus AChE led to enzymes displaying low catalytic activity towards OPs and unwanted kinetic complexities. A new generation of human AChE mutants has been designed with the assistance of molecular modelling and computational methods. According to the putative water-activation mechanism of G117H BChE, a new histidine/aspartate dyad was introduced into the active center of human AChE at the optimum location for hydrolysis of the OP adduct. Additional mutations were made for optimizing activity of the new dyad. It is anticipated that these new mutants will have OP hydrolase activity.     

Esterase activity of zinc neutral proteases.

The hydrolysis of a series of depsipeptides demonstrates that the zinc neutral endopeptidases of bacteria are active esterases. Esters such as BzGly-OPhe-Ala, BzGly-OLeu-Ala, and FA-Gly-OLeu-NH2 are hydrolyzed at rates three- to eightfold slower than are their exact peptide analogues, when hydrolyzed by thermolysin, Bacillus subtilis neutral protease and the neutral protease from Aeromonas proteolytica. Ester hydrolysis by zinc neutral proteases follows the characteristic preference for hydrophobic amino acids adjacent to the site of cleavage, discerned from the hydrolysis of peptide substrates. Removal of zinc from thermolysin abolishes the esterase activity of the native enzyme. Among the metals examined, only Co2+ and Zn2+ restore esterase activity to any significant extent, Co2+ restoring 50% and Zn2+ 100% of the native thermolysin activity. The hydrolysis of esters and peptides by thermolysin does not differ with respect to either the binding or catalytic steps. Substrate specificity, pH-rate profiles, inhibitor, and deuterium isotope effects are identical for both types of substrates.     

On Establishment of Individuality of the Cholinesterase Enzyme in the Studied Preparation

Theoretical analysis is carried out and a reliable kinetic method for establishment of individuality of cholinesterases in studied preparation is proposed. For reliable conclusion about the presence of single cholinesterase or a mixture of cholinesterases in the biosample, it is necessary to determine values of the experimental kinetic constant of irreversible inhibition by several (three or more) inhibitors, using for evaluation of the catalytic activity of the biomaterial not less than three different substrates consecutively, for example, acetyl--methylcholine (substrate selective to typical acetylcholinesterase), butyrylcholine (substrate selective to typical butyrylcholinesterase), and acetylcholine (substrate hydrolyzed easily by cholinesterases of different types).     

Homocysteine Thiolactone and Human Cholinesterases

1. The cholinergic system is important in cognition and behavior as well as in the function of the cerebral vasculature. 2. Hyperhomocysteinemia is a risk factor for development of both dementia and cerebrovascular disease. 3. Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) are serine hydrolase enzymes that catalyze the hydrolysis of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, a key process in the regulation of the cholinergic system. 4. It has been hypothesized that the deleterious effects of elevated homocysteine may, in part, be due to its actions on cholinesterases. 5. To further test this hypothesis, homocysteine and a number of its metabolites and analogues were examined for effects on the activity of human cholinesterases. 6. Homocysteine itself did not have any measurable effect on the activity of these enzymes. 7. Homocysteine thiolactone, the cyclic metabolite of homocysteine, slowly and irreversibly inhibited the activity of human AChE. 8. Conversely, this metabolite and some of its analogues significantly enhanced the activity of human BuChE. 9. Structure–activity studies indicated that the unprotonated amino group of homocysteine thiolactone and related compounds represents the essential feature for activation of BuChE, whereas the thioester linkage appears to be responsible for the slow AChE inactivation. 10. It is concluded that hyperhomocysteinemia may exert its adverse effects, in part, through the metabolite of homocysteine, homocysteine thiolactone, which is capable of altering the activity of human cholinesterases, the most pronounced effect being BuChE activation.