1. The inhibition kinetics of sheep brain butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) (acylcholine acylhydrolase, EC 3.1.1.8) by Cd2+ and Zn2+ has been studied. 2. K(S) has been determined as 0.14 mM. Cd2+ and Zn2+ were the hyperbolic mixed-type inhibitors of BChE. Ca2+ and Mg2+ had no effect on the enzyme activity in the experimental conditions. 3. But when the enzyme was inhibited by 0.1 mM Cd2+ or Zn2+, Ca2+ and Mg2+ reactivated the inhibited form of BChE.