choline acetyltransferase

(noun)

Abbreviated as ChAT, this is an enzyme that is synthesized within the body of a neuron. It is then transferred to the nerve terminal via axoplasmic flow. The role of choline acetyltransferase is to join Acetyl-CoA to choline, resulting in the formation of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine.

Related Terms

Examples of choline acetyltransferase in the following topics:

  • Cholinergic Neurons and Receptors

    • Acetylcholine is synthesized in certain neurons by the enzyme choline acetyltransferase from the compounds choline and acetyl-CoA.
    • The enzyme acetylcholinesterase converts acetylcholine into the inactive metabolites choline and acetate.

  • Seasonal Affective Disorder and Jet Lag

    • Mice incapable of turning serotonin into N-acetylserotonin (by Serotonin N-acetyltransferase) appear to express "depression-like" behavior, and antidepressants such as fluoxetine increase the amount of the enzyme Serotonin N-acetyltransferase, resulting in an antidepressant-like effect.

  • Phospholipids

    • Two chemical groups that may modify the phosphate, choline and serine, are shown here.
    • Both choline and serine attach to the phosphate group at the position labeled R via the hydroxyl group indicated in green.

  • The lac Operon: An Inducer Operon

    • The lac operon uses a two-part control mechanism to ensure that the cell expends energy producing β-galactosidase, β-galactoside permease, and thiogalactoside transacetylase (also known as galactoside O-acetyltransferase) only when necessary.

  • Phospholipids

    • The phosphate moiety of the resulting phosphatidic acid is further esterified with ethanolamine, choline or serine in the phospholipid itself.

  • Excitation–Contraction Coupling

    • ACh is broken down by the enzyme acetylcholinesterase (AChE) into acetyl and choline.

  • Types of Neurotransmitters by Function

    • It is synthesized from acetic acid and choline.

  • Reporter Fusions

    • An example of a selectable-marker which is also a reporter in bacteria is the chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) gene, which confers resistance to the antibiotic chloramphenicol.

  • Cell-Mediated Autoimmune Reactions

    • More indirect aberrant activation of B cells can also be envisaged with autoantibodies to acetyl choline receptor (on thymic myoid cells) and hormone binding proteins.

  • Botulism

    • It acts by blocking nerve function (neuromuscular blockade) through inhibition of the release of the excitatory neurotransmitter acetyl choline from the presynaptic membrane of neuromuscular junctions in the somatic nervous system.