The cholinesterases that hydrolyze acetylcholine to acetate and choline within the central nervous system and at peripheral neuroeffector junctions ( e.g., motor endplates and autonomic ganglia). SYN: choline esterase I, “e”-type cholinesterase, specific cholinesterase, true cholinesterase.
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ace·tyl·cho·lin·es·ter·ase -.kō-lə-'nes-tə-.rās, -.rāz n an enzyme that occurs esp. in some nerve endings and in the blood and promotes the hydrolysis of acetylcholine
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n.
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ac·e·tyl·cho·lin·es·ter·ase (AChE) (as″ə-təl-) (as″ə-tēl-ko″lĭ-nesґtə-rās) [EC 3.1.1.7] an enzyme of the hydrolase class that catalyzes the cleavage of acetylcholine to choline and acetate; it is found in the central nervous system, particularly in gray matter of nerve tissue, in red blood cells, and in motor endplates of skeletal muscle. Called also choline esterase I and true cholinesterase. Cf. cholinesterase.Medical dictionary. 2011.