Enzymatic hydrolysis of Russian-VX by organophosphorus hydrolase.
The Russian-VX (R-VX) is the principle V-type nerve agent in the chemical warfare (CW) arsenal of the Former Soviet Union. We here report the enzymatic hydrolysis of the P-S bond of Russian-VX by organophosphorus hydrolase (OPH) from Pseudomonas diminuta. While the Michaelis constant, K(m) for R-VX (474 microM), was similar to that for VX (434 microM), the Vmax for R-VX (2.1 mumoles/mg/min) was about four-fold higher compared to that for VX (0.56 mumoles/mg/min). A 50% inhibition in the rate of the enzymatic hydrolysis of R-VX was observed in the presence of 0.5% ethanol, isoamyl-alcohol, or isopropanol. The presence of acetonitrile, diethylene glycol, or methanol had marginal effects. These results comprise the first demonstration of enzymatic detoxification of R-VX.
Rastogi
V K
VK
GEO-Centers, Inc./ERDEC, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland 21010, USA. vkrastog@cbdcom-emh1.apgea.army.mil
DeFrank
J J
JJ
Cheng
T C
TC
Wild
J R
JR
D043303:Aryldialkylphosphatase; D002619:Chemical Warfare Agents / Q000378:metabolism*; D002800:Cholinesterase Inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism*; D004950:Esterases / Q000378:metabolism*; D006868:Hydrolysis; D009946:Organothiophosphorus Compounds / Q000378:metabolism*; D011549:Pseudomonas / Q000201:enzymology
D043303:Aryldialkylphosphatase; D002619:Chemical Warfare Agents; D002800:Cholinesterase Inhibitors; D004950:Esterases; D009946:Organothiophosphorus Compounds; C009680:VX-agent