Acetylcholinesterase

IV. Active Site

     The topology of AChE results in a gorge approximately 20A deep, down into the middle of the enzyme(6).  This gorge is lined with aromatic residues which produces a dipole with a net negative charge at the bottom of the gorge(7).  It is here that the active site sits and acetylcholine is degraded.  To view the ligand at the active site push here.   It is thought that these electrostatic interactions pull the positively charged acetylcholine to the active site.

     The active site consists of a triad made up of the catalytic Ser-200, Glu-327, and His-440(8).  To view these residues, Ser in green, Glu in blue, and His in green, push here. The active site is also know as the acylation site because it is here that acetycholine is bound and then acylates the Ser-200 residue(9).  To view the active site with bound acetylcholine, press here.  

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