A Preliminary Study on the Acetylcholinesterase and Butyrylcholinesterase of Human Platelets

Summary

Evidence obtained from a colorimetrie assay method and from a more sensitive and specific radiometric assay method strongly suggests that one of the cholinestera-ses of intact human platelets is an acetylcholinesterase. Examination of disrupted platelets indicates that a butyrylcholinesterase also may be associated with these cells. However, it remains to be seen whether the butyrylcholinesterase is actually present within the platelets’ cytoplasm or whether it is a plasma enzyme trapped in the surface-connected canalicular system of these cells during the process of their isolation from blood.

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