Structure, Activities and Biomedical Applications of Human Butyrylcholinesterase

Human butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) is a serine enzyme present in most organs and plasma. No clear physiological function has yet been assigned to BuChE, but it is a pharmacologically and toxicologically important enzyme that plays a role in degradation of numerous ester-containing drugs and poisonous esters. Thus, BuChE-based bioscavengers are an alternative for prophylaxis and treatments of intoxications by these compounds. Also, BuChE has been integrated in biosensors for detection of organophosphorus compounds and other cholinesterase inhibitors. Keywords: biosensors, bioscavenger, protein engineering, cocaine, organophosphate, acetylcholinesterase, Butyrylcholinesterase