Acetylcholinesterase in Human Erythroid Cells

Abstract

Acetylcholinesterase is present in human red cells but cannot be demonstrated by the copper thiocholine test. The enzyme is revealed, however, in the perinuclear cisterna, endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi apparatus of red cell precursors. It is suggested that 2 forms of the enzyme are present, one of which can be demonstrated by the copper thiocholine test, the other cannot; one form may be the precursor of the other. These observations may cast light on the kinetics of red cell replacement and on the interpretation of the results from the copper thiocholine test on other tissues such as the nervous system.