Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) is the primary cholinesterase in the body which catalyzes the breakdown of acetylcholine and some other choline esters that functions as neurotransmitter in living cell. It belongs to the carboxyl esterase (hydrolase) family of enzymes which are found mainly at the neuromuscular junction (point of contact between the central nervous system and the muscles) and the chemical synapses of the cholinergic types. It functions to terminate synaptic transmission by breaking down the neurotransmitter, acetylcholine, into acetate and choline. The adult African Grasshopper; Zonocerus variegatus and Zonocerus elegans was used during the course of this research work as the source of protein (enzyme). Crude enzyme obtained was purified using ion – exchange chromatography, and protein concentration and enzyme activities was determined for the organs using spectroscopic techniques. The results gotten shows the AChE activities in the Head, Thorax, and Abdomen Regions to be 0.055, 0.045, and 0.055 µmol min -1 mg -1 protein respectively. The organ distribution and characterization of the enzyme through graphical plots and extrapolation has showed protein concentration and enzyme activity dominance in the head region and abdominal regions.
Keywords: African Grasshopper, Acetylcholine, Acetylcholinesterase, Enzyme activity, Protein concentration, Ion- exchange Chromatography.
Emmanuel A, F., Bamidele, O & E.A, F (2019). The organ distribution and characterization of Acetylcholinesterase in Adult African Grasshopper: Zonocerus variegatus and Zonocerus elegans.. Afribary. Retrieved from https://afribary.com/works/the-organ-distribution-and-characterization-of-acetylcholinesterase-in-adult-african-grasshopper-zonocerus-variegatus-and-zonocerus-elegans
Emmanuel A, Fajemisin, et. al. "The organ distribution and characterization of Acetylcholinesterase in Adult African Grasshopper: Zonocerus variegatus and Zonocerus elegans." Afribary. Afribary, 01 Feb. 2019, https://afribary.com/works/the-organ-distribution-and-characterization-of-acetylcholinesterase-in-adult-african-grasshopper-zonocerus-variegatus-and-zonocerus-elegans. Accessed 24 Apr. 2024.
Emmanuel A, Fajemisin, O.S Bamidele and Fajemisin E.A . "The organ distribution and characterization of Acetylcholinesterase in Adult African Grasshopper: Zonocerus variegatus and Zonocerus elegans.". Afribary, Afribary, 01 Feb. 2019. Web. 24 Apr. 2024. < https://afribary.com/works/the-organ-distribution-and-characterization-of-acetylcholinesterase-in-adult-african-grasshopper-zonocerus-variegatus-and-zonocerus-elegans >.
Emmanuel A, Fajemisin, O.S Bamidele and Fajemisin E.A . "The organ distribution and characterization of Acetylcholinesterase in Adult African Grasshopper: Zonocerus variegatus and Zonocerus elegans." Afribary (2019). Accessed April 24, 2024. https://afribary.com/works/the-organ-distribution-and-characterization-of-acetylcholinesterase-in-adult-african-grasshopper-zonocerus-variegatus-and-zonocerus-elegans