Properties of the nervous tissue cholinesterase and carboxylesterase in the locust, Locusta migratoria

It was shown that locust cholinesterase splits various thiocholine esters with different rate. Hydrolysis of p-NPA is due to the effect of carboxylesterase. The latter differs from cholinesterase by a low sensitivity to eserine and cation-containing organophosphorus inhibitor methylsulfomethylate-O-ethyl-S-(beta-ethylmercaptoethyl) methylthiophosphonate, as well as by higher sensitivity to triorthocresylphosphate. The results obtained are discussed in relation to possible differences of the active surface of the enzymes studied.