choline

[ko´lēn]

an amine that occurs in phosphatidylcholine and acetylcholine, and is an important methyl donor in intermediary metabolism. Choline is a lipotropic agent, a substance that decreases liver fat content by increasing phospholipid turnover. It was formerly considered to be a B vitamin and is now classified as a pseudovitamin, although it is still sometimes classified as part of the vitamin B complex. Vitamin B₁₂ and folacin are involved in the synthesis of choline.

choline acetylase (choline acetyltransferase) an enzyme that brings about the synthesis of acetylcholine.

choline magnesium trisalicylate see under trisalicylate.

choline salicylate see salicylate.

cho·line a·ce·tyl·trans·fer·ase

[MIM*118490]

an enzyme catalyzing the condensation of choline and acetyl-coenzyme A, forming O-acetylcholine and coenzyme A.

Synonym(s): choline acetylase

CHAT

A gene on chromosome 10q11.2 that encodes choline acetyltransferase, which binds acetylCoA to choline, controlling acetylcholine production at the synapses of the autonomic nervous system, muscle and the sympathetic nervous system.

Molecular pathology
Polymorphisms of CHAT have been associated with choline acetyltransferase depletion in Alzheimer’s disease and cognitive impairment; CHAT mutations are associated with congenital myasthenic syndrome associated with episodic apnoea.