Abcam, ab138871, Acetylcholinesterase Assay Kit (Colorimetric)

Size: 200Test
Acetylcholinesterase Assay Kit ab138871 uses DTNB to quantify thiocholine produced by the action of acetylcholinesterase / AChE activity. Readout on any colorimetric (410nm) plate reader. - Measure AChE activity in 30 minutes - Cited in >60 publications
Key facts
Detection method:Colorimetric,
Sample types:Tissue Lysate, Plasma, Cell culture extracts, Serum, Cell Lysate,
Assay type:Enzyme activity,
Sensitivity:= 1 mU/mL,
Assay time:30m,
Assay Platform:Microplate reader

Product details:
Acetylcholinesterase Assay Kit ab138871 provides a convenient colorimetric assay for the detection of AChE activity in blood, cell extracts and other samples from mammals and other species.
How the assay works
The acetylcholinesterase assay protocol uses DTNB to quantify the thiocholine produced from the hydrolysis of acetylthiocholine by AChE. The absorption intensity of DTNB adduct (410 nm) is used to measure the amount of thiocholine formed, which is proportional to the AChE activity.
The assay will detect as little as 0.1 mU AChE in a 100 μL assay volume (1 mU/mL).
Please note this product does not differentiate between acetylcholesterase (AchE) or butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) activity as both enzymes can hydrolyze acetylcholine. However, an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor like Donepezil hydrochloride can be used as a control.
Acetylcholinesterase assay protocol summary
- add standards and samples to wells
- add acetylthiocholine reaction mix and incubate for 10-30 min at room temp
- analyze with a microplate reader
Please note this product does not differentiate between acetylcholesterase (AchE) or butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) activity as both enzymes can hydrolyze acetylcholine. However, an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor like Donepezil hydrochloride can be used as a control.
Alternative assay kits
For fluorometric detection, we recommend Acetylcholinesterase Assay Kit (Fluorometric-Green) (
ab133872
) (Ex/Em = 490/520 nm) or Acetylcholinesterase Assay Kit (Fluorometric-Red) (
ab133873
) (Ex/Em = 540/590 nm).
How other researchers are using ab138871
ab138871 has been used with a variety of sample types including:
- Human derived mesenchymal stem cell line 1
- Mouse colon tissue 2
- Zebrafish Brain tissues
References: 1 - He Y t al. 2023; 2 - Kim NY et al. 2023; 3 - Karoglu-Eravsar E at al. 2023.

Properties and Storage Information:
Shipped at conditions-Blue Ice, Appropriate short-term storage conditions--20°C, Appropriate long-term storage conditions--20°C, Storage information--20°C

Supplementary Information:
This supplementary information is collated from multiple sources and compiled automatically.
Acetylcholinesterase also known as AChE is an enzyme with a molecular mass of approximately 67 kDa. It plays a critical role in neurotransmission by catalyzing the hydrolysis of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine into acetate and choline. This reaction occurs at neuromuscular junctions and cholinergic synapses therefore terminating synaptic transmission. AChE is highly expressed in muscle and brain tissue particularly in the synaptic cleft where it regulates the nerve signal terminations.
Biological function summary
Acetylcholinesterase is essential for maintaining neurotransmission dynamics by ensuring timely acetylcholine breakdown. It does not function as part of a larger enzyme complex but its activity is necessary for efficient synaptic signaling in the nervous system. This enzymatic action prevents continuous stimulation of muscles and nerves by rapidly degrading acetylcholine thereby ensuring proper muscle contraction and cognitive processes.
Pathways
Acetylcholinesterase participates significantly in the cholinergic system. It influences cholinergic signaling pathways by inactivating acetylcholine after its release into the synaptic cleft. This function aligns acetylcholinesterase closely with receptors like nicotinic and muscarinic acetylcholine receptors. It indirectly affects signal transduction pathways that involve these receptors with potential downstream effects on ion channels and intracellular messengers.
Acetylcholinesterase plays a significant role in Alzheimer's disease and myasthenia gravis. In Alzheimer's disease decreased acetylcholinesterase function can lead to accumulations of acetylcholine and disrupted signaling contributing to cognitive dysfunction. Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors are therapeutic in such contexts. For myasthenia gravis a disorder affecting neuromuscular transmission the enzyme's interaction with antibodies targets synaptic acetylcholine receptors. This interaction results in weakened muscle contractions correlating with condition severity.