Effects of halothane and supporting membrane lipids on the activity of acetylcholinesterase

1. The activity of acetylcholinesterase in the human erythrocyte membrane w as measured with and without halothane. 2. To evaluate the roles of the sup porting membrane lipids, the enzyme protein was solubilized from the membra ne with a surfactant, Triton X-100. 3. It is confirmed that membrane lipids alter the activation energy of the enzyme bound to the membrane, and stren gthen the effects of halothane and Triton X-100 on the enzyme activity by p roviding a high concentration field of them around the enzyme. (C) 1998 Els evier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.