A marine sponge associated strain of Bacillus subtilis and other marine bacteria can produce anticholinesterase compounds.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitors or anticholinesterases reduce the activity of enzyme acetylcholinesterase that degrades the neurotransmitter acetylcholine in the brain. The inhibitors have a significant pharmacological role in neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's etc. Although plants have been a significant source of these compounds, there are very few sporadic reports of microorganisms producing such inhibitors. Anticholinesterase activity in bacterial associates of marine soft corals and sponges were not previously reported.

Results

We screened 887 marine bacteria for the presence of acetylcholinesterase inhibitors, in a microplate based assay, and found that 140 (15.8%) of them inhibit the electric eel enzyme, acetylcholinesterase.

SUBMITTER: Pandey S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3932841 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature