The butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) antibody is a critical tool in studying the enzyme butyrylcholinesterase, which plays a role in hydrolyzing esters, including certain neurotransmitters, drugs, and toxins. BChE, synthesized primarily in the liver and found in plasma, the nervous system, and other tissues, shares structural similarities with acetylcholinesterase (AChE) but differs in substrate specificity and distribution. While its physiological role remains partially unclear, BChE is implicated in detoxification, lipid metabolism, and neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s, where it may interact with beta-amyloid plaques.
BChE antibodies are widely used in research to detect enzyme expression, localization, and activity in tissues or biofluids. They aid in investigating BChE’s involvement in disease pathogenesis, drug metabolism (e.g., succinylcholine or cocaine hydrolysis), and responses to cholinesterase inhibitors. Commercial BChE antibodies are typically validated for techniques like Western blot, immunohistochemistry, and ELISA. Recent studies also explore BChE as a biomarker for liver function, organophosphate poisoning, or neurological disorders. However, challenges persist in ensuring antibody specificity due to cross-reactivity with AChE or other proteins.
Overall, BChE antibodies remain vital for advancing understanding of cholinesterase biology, therapeutic targeting, and clinical diagnostics.