Structural determination of human Butyrylcholinesterase-ligand complexes

Human Butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) is a well known scavenger of organophosphorous nerve agents. It is also a recent target for development of the so-called reactivators, highly nucleophilic compounds, able to restore enzyme activy after nerve agents inhibition. In parallel, BChE is also a new target for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. Determination of crystal structure of BChE in complex with compounds designed to act as anti-AD drugs, will well to improve our structural database, in order to designed better and BChE-specific reactivators.