Some properties of choline acetyltransferase isolated from the electric organ ofTorpedo marmorata: Specificity for choline analogues and inhibition by certain amines and amino acids.

(1) Choline acetyltransferase ofTorpedo marmorata electric organ was studied by using soluble tissue extracts partially purified by (NH4)2SO4 fractionation. (2) Linear enzymatic rates were observed at 30°C, in the presence of 350 μM acetyl-CoA and 50 mM choline, over a 30-40 min incubation period. (3) A number of analogues of choline, including mono-, di-, and triethylcholine and pyrrolcholine were synthesized and theK m (apparent) andV (maximum velocity) values determined. TheK m (apparent) for choline (11.5 mM), with theTorpedo enzyme, was high in comparison to values reported for mammalian or invertebrate nervous tissue. TheTorpedo enzyme was also not so specific for choline in comparison with the other choline analogues (based onK m values) as were other sources of the enzyme. TheV values for choline and mono-, di-, and triethylcholine with theTorpedo enzyme indicated a direct relationship between enzyme activity andN-alkyl substitution. (4) Several amines and amino acids inhibited choline acetyltransferase fromTorpedo. Histamine (15 mM) brought about a 60% inhibition and was found to be a noncompetitive inhibitor with respect to choline.