Choline acetyltransferase is an enzyme that produces the neurotransmitter acetylcholine in cholinergic neurons. Acetylcholine is important for muscle contraction, heart rate regulation, and learning. The enzyme is produced in the rough endoplasmic reticulum and moves through the axon to the axon terminal, where it produces acetylcholine. Acetyl-CoA plays a crucial role in the process. The cholinergic system is important for various functions, including memory, learning, and feelings of reward. Mutations in the CHAT gene can result in an inability to produce choline acetyltransferase, which is correlated with Alzheimer’s disease and schizophrenia.
Choline acetyltransferase is an enzyme produced in the brain. This enzyme is responsible for the production of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, which it makes by combining choline and acetate. Acetylcholine is important for functions such as muscle contraction, heart rate regulation and learning. Choline acetyltransferase does this within cholinergic neurons, generating a supply of acetylcholine to be released into the synapse when the neuron is fired.
Cells produce choline acetyltransferase in the rough endoplasmic reticulum, contained in the cell body of a neuron. Once produced, the enzyme moves slowly through the microtubules that cross the axon, the long part of a neuron through which electrical signals travel. Eventually the molecule arrives at the axon terminal, the part of the neuron closest to the synapse. Here it begins to produce acetylcholine.
A large enzyme called acetyl coenzyme A (acetyl-CoA) plays an important role in the process. Acetyl-CoA supplies acetate groups to chemical reactions that occur throughout the body, especially the citric acid cycle used by each cell in the process of metabolism. Acetyl-CoA also binds to choline acetyltransferase. When choline arrives in a nearby slot, it is attached to the acetate group, creating acetylcholine. Coenzyme A is released as a byproduct and is free to bind to a new acetate group.
The result is acetylcholine. Acetylcholine molecules are collected in synaptic vesicles, small membranes with which the neuron can expel. When the neuron “fires,” it releases these molecules into the synaptic cleft, where they can fire the next neuron by binding to specific receptors. Acetylcholine is a particularly versatile neurotransmitter and can elicit different effects from different types of neurons.
The cholinergic system includes the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, the receptors it binds to, and the neurons these receptors affect. The cholinergic system is one of the most important and well-studied systems of neurotransmission. The body relies on acetylcholine and the cholinergic system for a variety of functions. Outside the brain, it helps stimulate muscle contraction and regulate heart rate. Within the brain, it plays a role in basic mental processes, such as memory, learning, and feelings of reward. It is also the system affected by nicotine and therefore responsible for the potency of cigarette addiction.
Choline acetyltransferase is produced by a gene called CHAT. There are several versions of the CHAT gene, all of which can successfully produce choline acetyltransferase. Sometimes, however, mutations in this gene result in an inability to effectively produce the intended enzyme. These mutations, along with the observed choline acetyltransferase deficiencies, appear to be correlated with both Alzheimer’s disease and schizophrenia.
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