Abstract
Mendel, Mundell, and Strelitz1 reported inhibition by potassium ions, and activation by calcium ions, of cholinesterase from horse serum; and they suggested that certain physiologically antagonistic actions of these ions might be explained on this basis. Nachmansohn2 stated that sodium and potassium ions in high concentrations activate the cholinesterase from the electric organ of the Torpedo to the same degree, but no experimental data were given. Nachmansohn's communication evoked critical replies from Mendel, Mundell, and Strelitz3, and Massart and Dufait4. The former authors raised the possibility of differences in the enzyme systems in horse serum and Torpedo, and also suggested that the sodium and potassium salts used by Nachmansohn may have contained sufficient of the activating bivalent metals to give the effect he reported.
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References
Mendel, B., Mundell, D., and Strelitz, F., NATURE, 144, 479 (1939).
Nachmansohn, D., NATURE, 145, 513 (1940).
Mendel, B., Mundell, D., and Strelitz, F., NATURE, 145, 822 (1940).
Massart, L., and Dufait, R., NATURE, 145, 822 (1940).
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GLICK, D. Effect of Sodium and Potassium Ions on Cholinesterase. Nature 148, 662–663 (1941). https://doi.org/10.1038/148662b0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/148662b0
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