Choline ester formation in, and choline esterase activities of, tissues <i>in vitro</i>

Abstract

THE physiological importance of acetylcholine in the nervous system has made it very desirable to secure further knowledge of the details of acetylcholine metabolism in the body. Little is known as yet of the mode of production of this choline ester in the tissues. Beznak [1934] has reported that the ester is formed in minced frog heart muscle when sufficient eserine is present to prevent its destruction by choline esterase. Chang [1935] states that it is formed in vitro from placenta. Much more is known [Plattner & Galehr, 1928; Ammon & Voss, 1935; Stedman & Stedman, 1935, 1] of the breakdown of acetylcholine by an esterase which has recently been isolated and purified by Stedman & Stedman [1935, 2]. The reader is referred to summaries of recent literature on the subject in articles by Gaddum [1935] and by Ammon [1935].