Acetylcholinesterase Is a Potential Biomarker for a Broad Spectrum of Organic Environmental Pollutants

Abstract

Acetylcholinesterase (AChE, EC 3.1.1.7) is a classical biomarker for monitoring contamination and intoxication of organophosphate (OP) and carbamate pesticides. In addition to these classical environmental AChE inhibitors, other organic toxic substances have been found to alter AChE activity in various species. These emerging organic AChE disruptors include certain persistent organic pollutants (POPs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and wildly used chemicals, most of which have received considerable public health concern in recent years. It is necessary to re-evaluate the environmental significances of AChE in terms of these toxic substances. Therefore, the present review is aiming to summarize correlations of AChE activity of certain organisms with the level of the contaminants in particular habitats, disruptions of AChE activity upon treatment with the emerging disruptors in vivo and in vitro, and action mechanisms underlying the effects on AChE. Over 40 chemicals belonging to six main categories were reviewed, including 12 POPs listed in the Stockholm Convention. AChE activity in certain organisms has been found to be well correlated with the contamination level of certain persistent pesticides and PAHs in particular habitats. Moreover, it has been documented that most of the listed toxic chemicals could inhibit AChE activity in diverse species ranging from invertebrates to mammals. Besides directly inactivating AChE, the mechanisms in terms of interference with the biosynthesis have been recognized for some emerging AChE disruptors, particularly for dioxins. The collected evidence suggests that AChE could serve as a potential biomarker for a diverse spectrum of organic environmental pollutants.

Monitoring and Ecotoxicity Assessment of Emerging Contaminants in Wastewater Discharge in the City of Prague (Czech Republic)

“…AChE is a common biomarker for assessing the toxicity of pollutants that affect the nervous system with the potent catalytic activity of hydrolyzing acetylcholine [73], and it plays an essential role in the cholinergic neurotransmission involved in respiration processes and locomotion activities [74]. As shown in Figure 6, AChE levels in the control group were significantly higher at a warmer temperature (28 • C) after 24-or 48-h exposure (245 and 370 mU/mL respectively).…”

Toxicological effect and enzymatic disorder of non-studied emerging contaminants in Artemia salina model

“…In aquatic organisms, AChE can be found in muscles, nervous systems, the heart, cell blood, etc [ 69 ]. This enzyme has also been used as a possible biomarker for environmental pollutants [ 70 ]. AChE activity in brine shrimp was significantly affected (P < 0.001) by the test substance, exposure time, and temperature, with a significant interaction among test variables ( Table 1 ).…”

Biomarkers as a Tool to Monitor Environmental Impact on Aquatic Ecosystems / Biomarcadores Como Ferramenta Para Monitorar O Impacto Ambiental Nos Ecossistemas Aquáticos

“…Inhibition of AChE activity leads to a block in the transmission of nerve impulses, paralyzing vital functions, resulting from the overlap of nerve impulses caused by the permanence of open Na + channels. This consequence results in death in the exposed organisms, as an effect of hyperstimulation of the parasympathetic autonomic nervous system FU et al, 2018).…”