The esterases of horse blood. 2. The specificity of horse erythrocyte cholinesterase

Abstract

Horse erythrocyte cholinesterase was partially purified and freed from ali-esterase by a new method. In its specificity and physical behavior it closely resembles human erythrocyte cholinesterase. It hydrolyzes a number of aliphatic esters, the rates of hydrolysis of these substrates being higher the nearer the structure of acetycholine is approached. The carbon analog of acetylcholine (3, 3-dimethyl-butyl acetate) has the highest rate of hydrolysis of any simple aliphatic ester so far examined. The results are discussed in relation to the general question of cholinesterase specificity.