Toxic effects of acetylcholinesterase on neuronal and glial-like cells in vitro.

Abstract

Acetylcholinesterase (AChE), the enzyme involved in the hydrolysis of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, has been implicated in non-cholinergic actions which may play a role in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease. To study the potential cytotoxicity of brain AChE, the effects of affinity purified AChE were analyzed on neuronal (Neuro 2a) and glial-like (B12) cells. LDH release and MTT reduction assays showed that AChE was toxic; the toxicity was dependent on the enzyme concentration, time of incubation and cellular density. The toxic effect of AChE was not related to its catalytic activity, since the anti-cholinesterase drug BW284C51 and heat inactivation were unable to b..