Merck, AB143, Anti-Choline Acetyltransferase (ChAT) Antibody

Acetylcholine (ACh) is a common neurotransmitter for motoneurons, preganglionic autonomic neurons, postganglionic parasympathetic neurons, a variety of brain regions and some emerging neuron-like stem cells. The metabolism of Ach is relatively simple, involving only two enzymes: choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) for synthesis and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) for degradation. Further, acetylcholine has little function in neurons other than neurotransmission and seems to be neuron specific. It seems that only cholinergic neurons have significant amounts of ChAT making anti-cholinacetyltransferase a useful specific marker.