Structure, activities and biomedical applications of human butyrylcholinesterase.

Human butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) is a serine enzyme present in most organs and plasma. No clear physiological function has yet been assigned to BuChE, but it is a pharmacologically and toxicologically important enzyme that plays a role in degradation of numerous ester-containing drugs and poisonous esters. Thus, BuChE-based bioscavengers are an alternative for prophylaxis and treatments of intoxications by these compounds. Also, BuChE has been integrated in biosensors for detection of organophosphorus compounds and other cholinesterase inhibitors.