Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) hydrolyzes acetylcholine at synaptic junctions. Alternative mRNA splicing gives rise to three forms of AChE. It plays a role in neuronal apoptosis. The T form, also known as the asymmetric form, is soluble and is present in synapses. The H form is also known as the globular form and is present on the outer surfaces of cell membranes. The R form is not known to be a functional species. AChE globular form subunits are GPI-anchored to cell membranes and asymmetric subunits are anchored to basal lamina components by a collagen tail. The catalytic subunits of AChE are oligomers composed of disulfide-linked homodimers. The loss of AChE from cholinergic and noncholinergic neurons in the brain is seen in patients with Alzheimer
