This Key Event Relationship is licensed under the Creative Commons BY-SA license. This license allows reusers to distribute, remix, adapt, and build upon the material in any medium or format, so long as attribution is given to the creator. The license allows for commercial use. If you remix, adapt, or build upon the material, you must license the modified material under identical terms.
Relationship: 11
Title
AchE Inhibition leads to ACh Synaptic Accumulation
Upstream event
Downstream event
Key Event Relationship Overview
AOPs Referencing Relationship
AOP Name | Adjacency | Weight of Evidence | Quantitative Understanding | Point of Contact | Author Status | OECD Status |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Acetylcholinesterase inhibition leading to acute mortality | adjacent | High | Moderate | Dan Villeneuve (send email) | Under Development: Contributions and Comments Welcome | Under Development |
Acetylcholinesterase Inhibition Leading to Neurodegeneration | adjacent | High | Moderate | Karen Watanabe (send email) | Under development: Not open for comment. Do not cite | |
Acetylcholinesterase Inhibition leading to Acute Mortality via Impaired Coordination & Movement | adjacent | Kristie Sullivan (send email) | Under development: Not open for comment. Do not cite | |||
Organo-Phosphate Chemicals induced inhibition of AChE leading to impaired cognitive function | adjacent | High | Moderate | SAROJ AMAR (send email) | Under development: Not open for comment. Do not cite |
Taxonomic Applicability
Term | Scientific Term | Evidence | Link |
---|---|---|---|
Metapenaeus monoceros | Metapenaeus monoceros | High | NCBI |
Philosamia ricini | Samia ricini | High | NCBI |
Rana cyanophlyetis | Euphlyctis cyanophlyctis | Moderate | NCBI |
Tilapia mossambica | Oreochromis mossambicus | High | NCBI |
rat | Rattus norvegicus | High | NCBI |
mouse | Mus musculus | High | NCBI |
zebrafish | Danio rerio | Moderate | NCBI |
Japanese quail | Coturnix japonica | Moderate | NCBI |
Sex Applicability
Sex | Evidence |
---|---|
Unspecific | High |
Life Stage Applicability
Term | Evidence |
---|---|
All life stages |
Key Event Relationship Description
-
AChE is an enzyme responsible for controlling the level of acetylcholine available at cholinergic synapses by degrading this neurotransmitter via hydrolysis to acetic acid and choline (Wilson 2010). Inhibition of AChE prevents degradation of acetylcholine which leads to accumulation of acetylcholine in synapses associated with muscarinic and nicotinic receptors (Soreq and Seidman, 2001; Lushington 2006).
- See KEGG Reaction R01026
Evidence Collection Strategy
As it pertains to AOP 281, evidence was collected in multiple ways: literature searches of external databases, review of related KEs and KERS in the AOPWiki, and consultation with experts. Extensive literature searches were conducted in Scopus, Pubmed, and Google Scholar using keywords applicable to each KE, with an initial focus on zebrafish data to then focusing on rat data. Related KEs and KERs in the AOPWiki were also reviewed for relevant evidence and their sources. The “snowball method” was used to find additional articles, i.e., relevant citations within an article were obtained if they provided additional evidence. EndNote reference managing software was used to store results from the literature searches and when possible, a pdf of the manuscript was attached to each record. Papers were reviewed and categorized by whether they contained data to support one or more parts of the AOP. An Excel spreadsheet was used to record reviewed papers and any information worth noting.
Evidence Supporting this KER
Biological Plausibility
- Acetylcholine is a critical neurotransmitter localized to neuronal synapses. Biological plausibility to support the relationship between AChE inhibition and accumulation of acetylcholine is rooted in evidence demonstrating that AChE catalyzes degradation of acetylcholine into choline and acetate. Therefore, inhibition of the AChE leads to acetylcholine accumulation.
Empirical Evidence
- In a study where female ICR mice were exposed to either the fenobucarb or propoxur, authors reported a significant increase in acetylcholine in brain tissue 10 minutes after injection, with a concurrent significant increase in AChE inhibition (Kobayashi et al., 1985).
- An acute (48h) sublethal exposure to methyl parathion found that AChE levels in brain tissue in fish (Oreochromis mossambicus) were significantly inhibited at all measured durations ranging from 12-48 hrs with inhibition increasing from 36-62% as compared to controls over the time span (Rao and Rao, 1984). The researchers found a significant increase in acetylcholine at all time courses measured (12-48hr) with acetylcholine levels increasing from 33-83% as compared to controls over the same time span (Rao and Rao, 1984).
- A study of quail (Coturnix japonica) exposed to lethal concentrations of two OP pesticides (i.e., DDVP or fenitrothion), found significant increases in total and free acetylcholine, and significant inhibition of AChE as compared to controls (Kobayashi et al., 1983).
- Measurements (in vitro) of AChE inhibition, acetylcholine and electrophysiological responses on the pedal ganglion of the gastropod Aplysia californica, were found to be dose-dependent, with increase in dose resulting in increased AChE inhibition, increased levels of acetylcholine, and a decrease in the electrophysiological response (Oyama et al., 1989).
- Wister rats injected with a sublethal concentration of dichlorvos found a significant decrease in AChE activity, increased acetylcholine concentrations, and enhanced contractile responses in jejunum muscle (Kobayashi et al., 1994).
- At sublethal concentrations ( 56% of the LD50), researchers found a statistically significant (18%) increase in the amount of acetylcholine in brain tissue of Charles River rats exposed to disulfoton for 3 days, with measured AChE inhibition of 68% as compared to controls (Stavinoha et al., 1969).
- An acute sublethal exposure of chlorpyrifos to Sprague-Dawley rats found significant dose and time related effects including increased inhibition of AChE, increased levels of acetylcholine, and significant impacts to motor activity (nocturnal rearing response) (Karanth et al., 2006).
- Tadpoles (20 d) were exposed to single sublethal concentration of the methyl parathion for 24 h. Analysis of brain tissue found a significant inhibition in AChE activity and a concurrent increase in acetylcholine levels, as compared to controls (Nayeemunnisa and Yasmeen 1986).
- Study of fourth instar Ailanthus silkworm exposed to malathion for 5 days found increased mortality, decreased AChE, and increases in acetylcholine as compared to controls (Pant and Katiyar 1983).
-
Faria et al (2015) exposed zebrafish (Danio rerio) larvae to different concentrations of chlorpyrifos oxon (CPO). A strong inhibitory effect on AChE activity was found as early as 1h after exposure with a 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 64 nm CPO. The authors showed that the zebrafish model mimicked most of the effects seen in humans, including AChE inhibition, calcium dysregulation, ad inflammatory and immune responses.
Uncertainties and Inconsistencies
- No known qualitative inconsistencies or uncertainties associated with this relationship.
Known modulating factors
Modulating Factor (MF) | MF Specification | Effect(s) on the KER | Reference(s) |
---|---|---|---|
enzyme | butylcholinesterase | Butylcholinesterase can affect the substrate interaction and should be accounted for | Wilson (2001) |
Quantitative Understanding of the Linkage
The general kinetic equation is:
-
Where AX is the substrate, either acetylcholine or an inhibitor of AChE (e.g., OP or carbamate);
-
AChE-AX is the enzyme-substrate complex;
-
AChE-A is the acylated, carbamylated or phosphorylated enzyme;
-
X is the leaving group (e.g., choline);
-
AChE is the free enzyme; and
-
A is acetic acid, phosphate (P(=O)(=O)(R2)or methylamine.
-
In a normally functioning enzyme system k1 is the rate-limiting step for hydrolysis of acetylcholine, but k3 is the rate limiting step when AChE is inhibited by carbamates or OPs (Wilson 2010).
-
Some rate constants for OPs and carbamates have been published for use in PBPK models (Knaak et al., 2004, 2008)
Table 1: Summary of available quantitative data describing responses of ACh to AChE inhibition. Data are grouped by species.
AChE Inhibitor |
CAS RN |
Inhibitor Dosage |
Species / Model |
Brief Summary |
Reference |
|
|
Donezepil |
120014-06-4 |
0.625, 1.25, 2.5 (mg/kg) |
Male Wistar rats (210-290 g | 7 weeks) |
Timecourse data on both extracellular hippocampal ACh concentration and AChE activity given varying concentrations of inhibitor. Brain concentrations of drugs over time are also provided. |
Kosasa et al., 1999 |
||
Tacrine |
321-64-2 |
1.25, 2.5, 5, 10 (mg/kg) |
|||||
ENA-713 (Rivastigmine) |
129101-54-8 |
0.625, 1.25, 2.5 (mg/kg) |
|||||
Dichlorvos (DDVP) |
62-73-7 |
5 (mg/kg) |
Male Wistar rats (180-230 g) |
AChE activity (μmol AthCh hydrolyzed/g tissue) and ACh content (nmol ACh/g tissue) in jejunum either 10 minutes after single injection or 1 day after 10 injections. |
Kobayashi et al., 1994 |
||
Propoxur |
114-26-1 |
10 (mg/kg) |
|||||
Paraquat (PQ) |
1910-42-5 |
0.1, 1, 10, 20, 30 (μM) |
Wistar rats (fetal days 17-18) Primary hippocampal neurons |
In Vitro AChE activity (% control) and ACh concentration (pmol / mL) at 24h and 14 days post exposure |
Del Pino et al., 2017 |
||
Tacrine |
321-64-2 |
1.25, 2.5, 5 (mg/kg) |
Male Wistar rats (210-290 g | 6 weeks) |
Timecourse data on both extracellular hippocampal ACh concentration and AChE activity given varying concentrations of inhibitor. Note: Several sections of text are verbatim from Kosasa et al., 1999. |
Kim 2003 |
||
Parathion (PS) |
56-38-2 |
adult: 1.8, 3.4, 6, 9, 18, 27 (mg/kg) aged: 1.8, 3.4, 6, 9 (mg/kg) |
Male Sprague-Dawley rats (adult: 3 months) (aged: 18 months) |
Diaphragm and striatum AChE activity (% control). Striatal dialysates of ACh (fmol/60 μL fraction) on day 3 and 7 post-exposure |
Karanth et al., 2007 |
||
Chlorpyrifos (CPF) |
2921-88-2 |
84, 156, 279 (mg/kg) |
Male Sprague-Dawley rats (325-350 g | 3 months) |
Diaphragm and striatum cholinesterase activity (% control). ACh concentration (fmol/60 μL fraction) through In Vivo microdialysis at 1, 4, and 7 days post-exposure |
Karanth et al., 2006 |
||
Paraoxon |
311-45-5 |
0.03, 0.1, 1, 10 (μM) |
Male Sprague-Dawley rats (275-299 g | 2-3 months) |
Timecourse data on changes in striatal AChE activity (% control) and ACh concentration (fmole/fraction (60 μL)) over 4 hours post exposure. |
Ray et al., 2009 |
||
Propoxur |
114-26-1 |
10 (mg/kg) |
Female ICR mice (30-40 g | 8-10 weeks) |
AChE activity (μmol acetylthiocholine hydrolyzed /min/g wet tissue) and ACh content (nmol/g wet tissue) both measured at 0, 10, 60, 180 minutes after injection (and 360 minutes for AChE activity) |
Kobayashi et al., 1988 |
||
BPMC |
3766‑81‑2 |
10 (mg/kg) |
Female ICR mice (30-40 g | 8-10 weeks) |
Timecourse data on AChE activity (μmole acetylthiocholine hydrolyzed / min / g tissue or ml blood) and ACh content (nmol/g tissue) of forebrain homogenate, taken at 0, 10 and 60 minutes. |
Kobayashi et al., 1985 |
||
Propoxur |
114-26-1 |
2 (mg/kg) |
|||||
DE-71 |
32534-81-9 |
31.0, 68.7, 227.6 (μg/L) |
Zebrafish larvae |
Changes in AChE activity (nmol / min / mg protein) and ACh concentration (nmol / mg protein) measured at 120 hours post-fertilization |
Chen et al., 2012 |
||
Dichlorvos (DDVP) |
62-73-7 |
3 (mg/kg) |
Male Japanese quail (100 g | 8-14 weeks) |
AChE activity (μmol ACh hydrolyzed/g) and ACh content (nmol ACh/g wet tissue) measured 10 and 60 minutes post exposure for DDVP and Fenitrothion, respectively. |
Kobayashi et al., 1983 |
||
Fenitrothion |
122-14-5 |
300 (mg/kg) |
|||||
Methyl Parathion |
298-00-0 |
0.09 (ppm) |
Tilapia mossambica |
Timecourse data on AChE activity (μmol ACh hydrolysed/mg protein/h) and ACh content (μmole/g wt. tissue) in muscle, gill, liver, and brain tissue at 12, 24, 36, and 48 hr timepoints |
Rao and Rao, 1984 |
||
Methyl Parathion |
298-00-0 |
2.5 (ppm) |
Rana cyanophilicitus Frog tadpole (1.5-2 g | 20 days) |
AChE activity (μmol ACh hydrolyzed /min) and ACh content (μmol/g) measured after 24 hours post exposure |
Yasmeen and Yasmeen, 1986 |
||
Malathion |
121-75-5 |
60 µg each/g insect weight/day |
Philosamia Ricini larvae |
AChE activity and ACh concentration changes measured daily for 5 days. |
Pant and Katiyar, 1983 |
Response-response Relationship
Striatal AChE activity and extracellular ACh levels were measured in rats intracerebrally perfused with paraoxon (0, 0.03, 0.1, 1, 10 or 100 μM, 1.5 μl/min for 45 min). Acetylcholine was below the limit of detection at the low dose of paraoxon (0.1 uM), but was transiently elevated (0.5–1.5 hr) with 10 μM paraoxon. Concentration-dependent AchE inhibition was noted but reached a plateau of about 70% at 1 μM and higher concentrations (Ray, 2009).
Time-scale
The relationship between AChE inhibition and ACh accumulation at the synapse can be observed within 30 minutes after application of an AChE inhibitor (Ray, 2009). Other experiments have shown significant differences in ACh after AChE inhibition as soon as an hour after application of a chemical stressor (Kim et al., 2003, Faria et al., 2015).
Known Feedforward/Feedback loops influencing this KER
Domain of Applicability
Cholinergic transmissions mediated by acetylcholinesterase occur in a wide variety of species, both vertebrates and invertebrates, and cholinergic transmissions occur at all stages in life.
Taxonomic Applicability
-
The literature includes many studies linking increases in acetylcholine in brain tissues after exposure to an OP or carbamate pesticide with increased AChE inhibition in various taxa. Examples include studies with crustacea (Reddy et al., 1990); tadpoles (Nayeemunnisa and Yasmeen, 1986); fish (Rao and Rao 1984; Verma et al., 1981); birds (Kobayashi et al., 1983); and rodents (Kobayashi et al., 1988).
References
- Chen, L., Huang, C., Hu, C., Yu, K., Yang, L. & Zhou, B. 2012. Acute exposure to DE-71: Effects on locomotor behavior and developmental neurotoxicity in zebrafish larvae. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, 31, 2338-2344. DOI: 10.1002/etc.1958.
- Del Pino, J., Moyano, P., Díaz, G. G., Anadon, M. J., Diaz, M. J., García, J. M., Lobo, M., Pelayo, A., Sola, E. & Frejo, M. T. 2017. Primary hippocampal neuronal cell death induction after acute and repeated paraquat exposures mediated by AChE variants alteration and cholinergic and glutamatergic transmission disruption. Toxicology, 390, 88-99. DOI: 10.1016/j.tox.2017.09.008.
- Faria, M., Garcia-Reyero, N., Padrós, F., Babin, P. J., Sebastián, D., Cachot, J., Prats, E., Arick Ii, M., Rial, E., Knoll-Gellida, A., Mathieu, G., Le Bihanic, F., Escalon, B. L., Zorzano, A., Soares, A. M. & Raldúa, D. 2015. Zebrafish Models for Human Acute Organophosphorus Poisoning. Sci Rep, 5, 15591. DOI: 10.1038/srep15591.
- Karanth, S., Liu, J., Mirajkar, N. & Pope, C. 2006. Effects of acute chlorpyrifos exposure on in vivo acetylcholine accumulation in rat striatum. Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology, 216, 150-156. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.taap.2006.04.006.
- Karanth, S., Liu, J., Ray, A. & Pope, C. 2007. Comparative in vivo effects of parathion on striatal acetylcholine accumulation in adult and aged rats. Toxicology, 239, 167-179. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tox.2007.07.004.
- Kim, Y. K., Koo, B. S., Gong, D. J., Lee, Y. C., Ko, J. H. & Kim, C. H. 2003. Comparative effect of Prunus persica L. BATSCH-water extract and tacrine (9-amino-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroacridine hydrochloride) on concentration of extracellular acetylcholine in the rat hippocampus. J Ethnopharmacol, 87, 149-54. DOI: 10.1016/s0378-8741(03)00106-5.
- Kobayashi, H., Sato, I., Akatsu, Y., Fujii, S., Suzuki, T., Matsusaka, N. & Yuyama, A. 1994. Effects of single or repeated administration of a carbamate, propoxur, and an organophosphate, DDVP, on jejunal cholinergic activities and contractile responses in rats. J Appl Toxicol, 14, 185-90. DOI: 10.1002/jat.2550140307.
- Kobayashi, H., Yuyama, A., Kajita, T., Shimura, K., Ohkawa, T. & Satoh, K. 1985. Effects of insecticidal carbamates on brain acetylcholine content, acetylcholinesterase activity and behavior in mice. Toxicology Letters, 29, 153-159. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/0378-4274(85)90036-0.
- Kobayashi, H., Yuyama, A., Kudo, M. & Matsusaka, N. 1983. Effects of organophosphorus compounds, O,O-dimethyl O-(2,2-dichlorovinyl)phosphate (DDVP) and O,O-dimethyl O-(3-methyl 4-nitrophenyl)phosphorothioate (fenitrothion), on brain acetylcholine content and acetylcholinesterase activity in Japanese quail. Toxicology, 28, 219-227. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/0300-483X(83)90119-1.
- Kobayashi, H., Yuyama, A., Ohkawa, T. & Kajita, T. 1988. Effect of Single or Chronic Injection with a Carbamate, Propoxur, on the Brain Cholinergic System and Behavior of Mice. The Japanese Journal of Pharmacology, 47, 21-27. DOI: 10.1254/jjp.47.21.
- Kosasa, T., Kuriya, Y., Matsui, K. & Yamanishi, Y. 1999. Effect of donepezil hydrochloride (E2020) on basal concentration of extracellular acetylcholine in the hippocampus of rats. European Journal of Pharmacology, 380, 101-107. DOI: 10.1016/S0014-2999(99)00545-2.
- Lushington, G. H., Guo, J. X. & Hurley, M. M. 2006. Acetylcholinesterase: molecular modeling with the whole toolkit. Curr Top Med Chem, 6, 57-73. DOI: 10.2174/156802606775193293.
- Nayeemunnisa and Yasmeen, N. 1986. On the Presence of Calmodulin in the Brain of Control and Methyl Parathion-Exposed Developing Tadpoles of Frog, Rana cyanophlictis. Curr.Sci.(Bangalore) 55[11], 546-548.
- Oyama, Y., Hori, N., Evans, M. L., Allen, C. N. & Carpenter, D. O. 1989. Electrophysiological estimation of the actions of acetylcholinesterase inhibitors on acetylcholine receptor and cholinesterase in physically isolated Aplysia neurones. Br J Pharmacol, 96, 573-82. DOI: 10.1111/j.1476-5381.1989.tb11855.x.
- Pant, R. & Katiyar, S. K. 1983. Effect of malathion and acetylcholine on the developing larvae ofPhilosamia ricini (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae). Journal of Biosciences, 5, 89-95. DOI: 10.1007/BF02702598.
- Rao, K. S. P. & Rao, K. V. R. 1984. Impact of methyl parathion toxicity and eserine inhibition on acetylcholinesterase activity in tissues of the teleost (Tilapia mossambica) — a correlative study. Toxicology Letters, 22, 351-356. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/0378-4274(84)90113-9.
- Ray, A., Liu, J., Karanth, S., Gao, Y., Brimijoin, S. & Pope, C. 2009. Cholinesterase inhibition and acetylcholine accumulation following intracerebral administration of paraoxon in rats. Toxicology and applied pharmacology, 236, 341-347. DOI: 10.1016/j.taap.2009.02.022.
- Reddy, M. S., Jayaprada, P. & Rao, K. V. 1990. Impact of methylparathion and malathion on cholinergic and non-cholinergic enzyme systems of penaeid prawn, Metapenaeus monoceros. Biochem Int, 22, 769-79.
- Soreq, H. & Seidman, S. 2001. Acetylcholinesterase--new roles for an old actor. Nat Rev Neurosci, 2, 294-302. DOI: 10.1038/35067589.
- Stavinoha, W. B., Ryan, L. C. & Smith, P. W. 1969. Biochemical effects of an organophosphorus cholinesterase inhibitor on the rat brain. Ann N Y Acad Sci, 160, 378-82. DOI: 10.1111/j.1749-6632.1969.tb15859.x.
- Verma, S. R., Tonk, I. P., Gupta, A. K. & Dalela, R. C. 1981. In vivo enzymatic alterations in certain tissues of Saccobranchus fossilis following exposure to four toxic substances. Environmental Pollution Series A, Ecological and Biological, 26, 121-127. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/0143-1471(81)90042-8.
- Wilson, B. W. 2001. CHAPTER 48 - Cholinesterases. In: KRIEGER, R. I. & KRIEGER, W. C. (eds.) Handbook of Pesticide Toxicology (Second Edition). San Diego: Academic Press.
- Wilson, B. W. 2010. Cholinesterases. In: KRIEGER, R. (ed.) Hayes' Handbook of Pesticide Toxicology. Third ed. Amsterdam, The Netherlands: Elsevier.
- Yasmeen, N. & Yasmeen, N. 1986. ON THE PRESENCE OF CALMODULIN IN THE BRAIN OF CONTROL AND METHYL PARATHION-EXPOSED DEVELOPING TADPOLES OF FROG, RANA CYANOPHLICTIS. Current Science, 55, 546-548. http://www.jstor.org/stable/24090019