acetylcholine

(noun)

A neurotransmitter in humans and other animals. It is an ester of acetic acid and choline with chemical formula CH3COOCH2CH2N<sup>+</sup>(CH3)3.

Related Terms

  • neurotoxin
  • axon

Examples of acetylcholine in the following topics:

  • Paralysis-Causing Bacterial Neurotoxins

    • Botulinum toxin is a protein and neurotoxin, which blocks neuromuscular transmission through decreased acetylcholine release.
    • In 1949, Arnold Burgen's group discovered, through an elegant experiment, that botulinum toxin blocks neuromuscular transmission through decreased acetylcholine release.
    • This light chain is an enzyme (a protease) that attacks one of the fusion proteins (SNAP-25, syntaxin or synaptobrevin) at a neuromuscular junction, preventing vesicles from anchoring to the membrane to release acetylcholine.
    • By inhibiting acetylcholine release, the toxin interferes with nerve impulses and causes flaccid (sagging) paralysis of muscles in botulism, as opposed to the spastic paralysis seen in tetanus.
    • The SNAP-25 protein is required for vesicle fusion that releases neurotransmitters from the axon endings (in particular acetylcholine).
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