Design and synthesis of chemiluminescent probes for the detection of cholinesterase activity.

Acetylcholinesterase is one of the most widely used and studied enzymes. Not only does this enzyme regulate neurotransmission (and thus play a key role in neurodegenerative processes) but it is also a prime target for pest control agents and warfare agents. Above all, due to its particularly high turnover rate, acetylcholinesterase is among the most efficient reporter enzymes yet described (for use as enzymatic tracer in immunoassays, for instance). However, its activity is detected through a colorimetric reagent, the Ellman reagent, which displays low detection limits and is often subject to background perturbations. In the course of our search for a more sensitive detection assay, we describe here a first-generation 1,2-dioxetane chemiluminescent probe, based on chemically induced electron exchange luminescence, which has an approximately 10 times lower detection limit than the Ellman colorimetric assay (2.5 x 10(-19) mol for Electrophorus electricus AChE in its tetrameric form).