Butyrylcholine is a choline-based ester that can function as a neurotransmitter. It is similar to acetylcholine and interacts with of some of the same receptors as acetylcholine, such as nicotinic receptors. Butyrylcholine is synthetic and does not occur in the body naturally. The molecule is extremely hydrophobic and is practically insoluble in water.
Usage
It is used as a clinical laboratory tool to distinguish between the cholinesterases; acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase preferentially lyse acetylcholine and butyrylcholine, respectively.