RECOMBINANT HUMAN BUTYLCHOLINESTERASE

Molecular mass: 90 kDa (monomer)

Isoelectric point (pI): 5.0

pH Optimal activity range: 7.0–8.0

pH Activity range: 6.0–10.0

Purity: >95% as determined by SDS-PAGE

Specific activity: ≥600 units/mg protein as analyzed by the Ellman assay

Stability: Samples are stable for up to 12 months from date of receipt at –70 °C. Avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles.

Product Description

Butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) belongs to the same structural class of proteins, the esterase/lipase family, as acetylcholinesterase (AChE, EC 3.1.1.7). They are serine hydrolases that share substantial structural similarities, but differ in substrate specificities and inhibitor sensitivities. BChE can, unlike AChE, preferentially uses larger esters of choline such as butyrylcholine and benzoylcholine as in vitro substrates. Although BChE is found in the serum, hemopoietic cells, liver, lung, heart, and the central nervous system of vertebrates, its physiological functions are largely unknown.

BChE can be used in the detection of organophosphates and treatment of a rare metabolic disorder of BChE deficiency, as well as prophylaxis and treatment of organophosphate toxicity. Cholinesterase-inhibiting drugs are also employed to treat a wide variety of diseases including Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases, glaucoma, multiple sclerosis, and myasthenia gravis. The cholinesterase-inhibiting compound succinyl choline is commonly used as a short-acting muscle relaxant in surgical operations. 

This recombinant product is made from the milk of rabbits that have been genetically modified to produce human BChE. It is purified by affinity chromatography and is primarily in the dimmer form, with the remainder being monomers and tetramers. The product is supplied as lyophilized or as a solution in 10 mM sodium phosphate, pH 7.2, with 50 mM NaCl, 1 mM EDTA, and 10% glycerol.