Molecular genetic approach to the study of mammalian choline acetyltransferase

The enzyme choline acetyltransferase catalyses the biosynthesis of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine and constitutes a specific marker of cholinergic system. To date, there is very limited information about the structure of the mammalian enzyme. More detailed understanding of this enzyme is particularly desirable because of the importance of the cholinergic system in neurotransmission, as well as the possible involvement of this system in certain neurological disorders. In this article, recent studies concerning the isolation of a cDNA encoding the complete sequence of the porcine enzyme are reported and the potential applications of this probe are discussed.