acetylcholinesterase

/əˌsitlˌkoʊləˈnɛstəˌreɪs/
/əˌsitlˌkoʊləˈnɛstəˌreɪz/
/ˌæsɪtlˌkoʊləˈnɛstəˌreɪs/
/ˌæsɪtlˌkoʊləˈnɛstəˌreɪz/

noun

An enzyme that causes rapid hydrolysis of acetylcholine. Its action serves to stop excitation of a nerve after transmission of an impulse.

An early favorite target was the vital enzyme acetylcholinesterase, required for hydrolysis of acetylcholine at neuromuscular junctions, and it has been exploited by agrochemical companies in a spectacular manner.