Synthesis and characterization of photolabile compounds releasing noracetylcholine in the microsecond time range

Article abstract of DOI:10.1002/anie.199703981

The rapid and efficient photochemical release of noracetylcholine 2, an analogue of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, from its precursor 1 makes this probe well-suited for a dynamic study of the mechanism of hydrolysis of acetylcholine by acetylcholinesterase. The nitrobenzyl derivative 1, the most promising candidate for time-resolved crystallographic studies of this rapid enzyme, displays the required photo-fragmentation kinetics in the microsecond time-range and inhibitory properties oacetylcholinesterase.