Choline acetyltransferase
Encyclopedia
Choline acetyltransferase (abbreviated "ChAT") 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
. In humans, the choline acetyltransferase enyzme is encoded by the CHAT gene
.
systems are implicated in numerous neurologic functions. Alteration in some cholinergic neurons may account for the disturbances of Alzheimer disease. The protein encoded by this gene synthesizes the neurotransmitter acetylcholine
. Alternative splice variants
that contain alternative 5' untranslated exons have been found. Three of the four described splice variants encode identical 69 kDa proteins, while one variant encodes both the 69 kDa and a larger 82 kDa protein.
It is often used as an immunohistochemical marker for motor neuron
s (motoneurons).
Enzyme
Enzymes are proteins that catalyze chemical reactions. In enzymatic reactions, the molecules at the beginning of the process, called substrates, are converted into different molecules, called products. Almost all chemical reactions in a biological cell need enzymes in order to occur at rates...
that is synthesized within the body of a neuron
Neuron
A neuron is an electrically excitable cell that processes and transmits information by electrical and chemical signaling. Chemical signaling occurs via synapses, specialized connections with other cells. Neurons connect to each other to form networks. Neurons are the core components of the nervous...
. It is then transferred to the nerve terminal
Synapse
In the nervous system, a synapse is a structure that permits a neuron to pass an electrical or chemical signal to another cell...
via axoplasmic flow. The role of choline acetyltransferase is to join Acetyl-CoA to choline
Choline
Choline is a water-soluble essential nutrient. It is usually grouped within the B-complex vitamins. Choline generally refers to the various quaternary ammonium salts containing the N,N,N-trimethylethanolammonium cation....
, resulting in the formation of the neurotransmitter
Neurotransmitter
Neurotransmitters are endogenous chemicals that transmit signals from a neuron to a target cell across a synapse. Neurotransmitters are packaged into synaptic vesicles clustered beneath the membrane on the presynaptic side of a synapse, and are released into the synaptic cleft, where they bind to...
acetylcholine
Acetylcholine
The chemical compound acetylcholine is a neurotransmitter in both the peripheral nervous system and central nervous system in many organisms including humans...
. In humans, the choline acetyltransferase enyzme is encoded by the CHAT gene
Gene
A gene is a molecular unit of heredity of a living organism. It is a name given to some stretches of DNA and RNA that code for a type of protein or for an RNA chain that has a function in the organism. Living beings depend on genes, as they specify all proteins and functional RNA chains...
.
Function
CholinergicCholinergic
The word choline generally refers to the various quaternary ammonium salts containing the N,N,N-trimethylethanolammonium cation. Found in most animal tissues, choline is a primary component of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine and functions with inositol as a basic constituent of lecithin...
systems are implicated in numerous neurologic functions. Alteration in some cholinergic neurons may account for the disturbances of Alzheimer disease. The protein encoded by this gene synthesizes the neurotransmitter acetylcholine
Acetylcholine
The chemical compound acetylcholine is a neurotransmitter in both the peripheral nervous system and central nervous system in many organisms including humans...
. Alternative splice variants
Alternative splicing
Alternative splicing is a process by which the exons of the RNA produced by transcription of a gene are reconnected in multiple ways during RNA splicing...
that contain alternative 5' untranslated exons have been found. Three of the four described splice variants encode identical 69 kDa proteins, while one variant encodes both the 69 kDa and a larger 82 kDa protein.
It is often used as an immunohistochemical marker for motor neuron
Motor neuron
In vertebrates, the term motor neuron classically applies to neurons located in the central nervous system that project their axons outside the CNS and directly or indirectly control muscles...
s (motoneurons).