In this study, we describe three different monoclonal antibodies (mAbs Elec-403, Elec-408, and Elec-410) directed against Electrophorus electricus acetylcholinesterase (AChE) which were selected as inhibitors for this enzyme. Two of these antibodies , recognized overlapping but different epitopes, competed with snake venom toxin fasciculin for binding to the enzyme, and thus apparently recognized the peripheral site of AChE. In addition, the binding of Elec-403 was antagonized by 1,5-bis(4-allyldimethylammoniumphenyl)pentan-3-one dibromide (BW284C51) and propidium, indicating that the corresponding epitope encompassed the anionic site involved in the binding of these lowmolecular-mass inhibitors. The third mAb (Elec-408), was clearly bound to another site on the AChE molecule, and its inhibitory effect was cumulative with those of Elec-403, Elec-410, and fasciculin. All mAbs bound AChE with high affinity and were as strong inhibitors with an apparent K, value less than 0.1 nM. Elec-403 was particularly efficient with an inhibitory activity similar to that of fasciculin. Inhibition was observed with both charged (acetylthiocholine) and neutral substrates (o-nitrophenyl acetate) and had the characteristics of a non-competitive process. Elec-403 and Elec-410 probably exert their effect by triggering allosteric transitions from the peripheral site to the active site. The epitope recognized by mAb Elec-408 has not been localized, but it may correspond to a new regulatory site on AChE.Keywords. acetylcholinesterase ; inhibitory monoclonal antibodies ; peripheral site ; fasciculin.Acetylcholinesterase (acetylcholine acetylhydrolase, AChE) is widely distributed in the central and peripheral nervous systems where it plays a critical role in quickly hydrolyzing the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. Hydrolysis is the result of nucleophilic attack of the carbonyl carbon by a serine residue in the enzyme active center and involves charge transfer via a histidine residue. In accordance with its biological function, a remarkable feature of AChE is its high catalytic rate in cleaving acetylcholine. AChE works at a rate approaching that of a diffusion-controlled process (Rosenbeny, 1975 ;Quinn, 1987). Even if the enzyme preferentially acts on its natural substrate, it can also efficiently hydrolyze neutral acetic esters including indophenyl acetate, naphthyl acetate, indoxyl acetate, and nitrophenyl acetate (Quinn, 1987). Until recently, it was usually considered that the catalytic center of AChE! was composed of an esteratic and an anionic subsite. The esteratic subsite contains the active serine and is the target for irreversible inhibitors, such as organo-phosphorus and carbamate compounds, which block enzyme activity by forming covalent bonds between phosphoryl or carbamoyl groups and the serine residue. The anionic subsite is implicated in orientating the positively charged substrate in the active center. Many reversible inhibitors that possess quater-