Amino acids 263-571 of mouse BCHE were used as the immunogen for the BCHE antibody.
Butyrylcholinesterase (BCHE, or BuChE), also known as pseudocholinesterase or plasma cholinesterase, is a non-specific cholinesterase enzyme that hydrolyses many different choline esters. In humans, it is found primarily in the liver and is encoded by the BCHE gene. Mutant alleles at the BCHE locus are responsible for suxamethonium sensitivity. Homozygous persons sustain prolonged apnea after administration of the muscle relaxant suxamethonium in connection with surgical anesthesia. The activity of pseudocholinesterase in the serum is low and its substrate behavior is atypical. In the absence of the relaxant, the homozygote is at no known disadvantage.
