Molecular interactions of acetylcholinesterase with senile plaques.

Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) present in Alzheimer plaques is resistant to low pH, anti-ChE inhibitors and high substrate concentrations in comparison with the free enzyme. Kinetic and pharmacological studies of AChE-amyloid complexes indicate that steric hindrance by the amyloid over the gorge and the peripheral site of AChE is responsible for these effects.