Characterization of acetylcholinesterase from Arthrobacter ilicis associated with the marine sponge (Spirastrella sp.)

Abstract

The bacterium Arthrobacter ilicis isolated from the marine sponge Spirastrella sp. produces extracellular serine type acetylcholinesterase. The maximum enzyme activity was found at 45 degrees C and pH 8.0. The activation and deactivation energies, calculated from an Arrhenius plot, were 13.68 and 36.96 kcal mol(-1), respectively. The enzyme was not affected by the addition of the major cations of sea water, such as Ca2+ and Mg2+ at 25 mmol l(-1), and was strongly inhibited by EDTA and different organophosphorus and carbamate compounds at 5 mmol l(-1).