Molecular forms of acetylcholinesterase in Hirschsprung's disease.

We describe changes in the levels of different molecular forms of acetylcholinesterase in four cases of Hirschsprung's disease linked to the transition from aganglionic to normal bowel. In addition changes in a control case with histologically normal bowel is reported. In all patients with Hirschsprung's disease there is a marked increase in the level of the tetrameric form of the enzyme in the aganglionic region. The changing level of this form of the enzyme correlates well with the histochemical appearance suggesting that quantitative measurement of this molecular species might form the basis of an improved diagnostic test for the disease.