Preliminary characterization of a cholinesterase from roots of Bengal gram - Cicer arietinum L

A Cholinesterase was isolated and purified (65-fold) from roots of Bengal gram (Cicer arietinum L.) seedlings. It hydrolyzes acetylcholine and acetylthiocholine more readily than propionylthiocholine or butyrylthiocholine. The enzyme has high affinity for acetylthiocholine (Km=150 μm) and is inhibited by animal anticholinesterases, neostigmine and physostigmine, and by Phosfon-D, a plant growth retardant.