IN-VITRO INFLUENCE OF PHENYLALANINE ON ACETYLCHOLINESTERASE ACTIVITY AND DNA

Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) is a significant component of the membrane contributing to the permeability changes during synaptic transmission and conduction. Phenylketonuria is a group of metabolic disorders in which phenylalanine (Phe) is highly elevated in blood (up to 0.1M) res ulting in mental retardation etc. ACHE activity was measured spectroph otometrically after incubation with various Phe concentrations. Phe in teraction with DNA was evaluated with an established HPLC method. Phe was found to inhibit ACHE almost 40%, at a concentration of 5 mM, wher eas a 62.5% DNA peak exclusion (molecular interaction) was observed wh en Phe was incubated with DNA at a concentration of 3 mM. In addition the ratio of DNA: Phe determined the potency of the observed molecular effect.