Comparative-enzymological study of cholinesterase of the Pacific squid <Emphasis Type="Italic">Todarodes pacificus</Emphasis>

Summarized are results of the 40-year studies of the Russian biochemists on the comparative-enzymological characteristics of cholinesterase of optic ganglia of the Pacific squid Todarodes pacificus. The review includes comparative evaluation of the cholinesterase activity of various hydrobiont tissues, the proof of enzymatic homogeneity of tissues of the Pacific squid optic ganglia, data on substrate specificity with study of 18 ester substrates as well as detailed study of inhibitory specificity (61 irreversible inhibitors and 49 reversible onium inhibitors). Peculiarity of properties of this enzyme as compared with vertebrate and invertebrate cholinesterases is shown.