Active site mutant acetylcholinesterase interactions with 2-PAM, HI-6, and DDVP

Near-infrared ratiometric fluorescent strategy for butyrylcholinesterase activity and its application in the detection of pesticide residue in food samples and biological imaging

Butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) is an essential esterase synthesized by the liver, and its level is considered as a vital index for health evaluation. Therefore, it is of great need to develop a highly sensitive and selective tool to monitor BChE activity, which remains a considerable challenge on account of its usage in complex biological systems. A near-infrared (NIR) fluorescent probe was elaborated in this work, employing cyanine backbone to provide the intrinsic NIR fluorescence and avoid interference from bioluminescence. There presented an intriguing structural transformation upon the sensing event to shrink the conjugation in this protocol, leading to an eye-catching fluorescence change from NIR (816 nm) to red (637 nm) region, which gave rise to the proposed ratiometric assay. After an overall investigation, this receptor was verified to be applicable in a wide bio-area with ratiometric pattern, including the cellular level and slice platform. It was worth mentioning that this receptor was also discovered to be capable of monitoring pesticide dichlorvos (DDVP) residue in food samples with high sensitivity and accuracy, with significant potential to be developed as an alternative candidate for monitoring environmental pollution.

New Uncharged 2-Thienostilbene Oximes as Reactivators of Organophosphate-Inhibited Cholinesterases

The inhibition of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) by organophosphates (OPs) as nerve agents and pesticides compromises normal cholinergic nerve signal transduction in the peripheral and central nervous systems (CNS) leading to cholinergic crisis. The treatment comprises an antimuscarinic drug and an oxime reactivator of the inhibited enzyme. Oximes in use have quaternary nitrogens, and therefore poorly cross the brain–blood barrier. In this work, we synthesized novel uncharged thienostilbene oximes by the Wittig reaction, converted to aldehydes by Vilsmeier formylation, and transformed to the corresponding uncharged oximes in very high yields. Eight trans,anti- and trans,syn-isomers of oximes were tested as reactivators of nerve-agent-inhibited AChE and BChE. Four derivatives reactivated cyclosarin-inhibited BChE up to 70% in two hours of reactivation, and docking studies confirmed their productive interactions with the active site of cyclosarin-inhibited BChE. Based on the moderate binding affinity of both AChE and BChE for all selected oximes, and in silico evaluated ADME properties regarding lipophilicity and CNS activity, these compounds present a new class of oximes with the potential for further development of CNS-active therapeutics in OP poisoning.

Counteracting poisoning with chemical warfare nerve agents

Phosphylation of the pivotal enzyme acetylcholinesterase (AChE) by nerve agents (NAs) leads to irreversible inhibition of the enzyme and accumulation of neurotransmitter acetylcholine, which induces cholinergic crisis, that is, overstimulation of muscarinic and nicotinic membrane receptors in the central and peripheral nervous system. In severe cases, subsequent desensitisation of the receptors results in hypoxia, vasodepression, and respiratory arrest, followed by death. Prompt action is therefore critical to improve the chances of victim's survival and recovery. Standard therapy of NA poisoning generally involves administration of anticholinergic atropine and an oxime reactivator of phosphylated AChE. Anticholinesterase compounds or NA bioscavengers can also be applied to preserve native AChE from inhibition. With this review of 70 years of research we aim to present current and potential approaches to counteracting NA poisoning.

Structure and therapeutic uses of butyrylcholinesterase: Application in detoxification, Alzheimer's disease, and fat metabolism

Structural information of butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) and its variants associated with several diseases are discussed here. Pure human BChE has been proved safe and effective in treating organophosphorus (OPs) poisoning and has completed Phase 1 and 2 pharmacokinetic (PK) and safety studies. The introduction of specific mutations into native BChE to endow it a self-reactivating property has gained much progress in producing effective OPs hydrolases. The hydrolysis ability of native BChE on cocaine has been confirmed but was blocked to clinical application due to poor PK properties. Several BChE mutants with elevated cocaine hydrolysis activity were published, some of which have shown safety and efficiency in treating cocaine addiction of human. The increased level of BChE in progressed Alzheimer's disease patients made it a promising target to elevate acetylcholine level and attenuate cognitive status. A variety of selective BChE inhibitors with high inhibitory activity published in recent years are reviewed here. BChE could influence the weight and insulin secretion and resistance of BChE knockout (KO) mice through hydrolyzing ghrelin. The BChE-ghrelin pathway could also regulate aggressive behaviors of BChE-KO mice.

Targeting organophosphorus compounds poisoning by novel quinuclidine-3 oximes: development of butyrylcholinesterase-based bioscavengers

A library of 14 mono-oxime quinuclidinium-based compounds with alkyl or benzyl substituent were synthesized and characterized in vitro as potential antidotes for organophosphorus compounds (OP) poisoning treatment. We evaluated their potency for reversible inhibition and reactivation of OP inhibited human acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) and evaluated interactions by molecular docking studies. The reactivation was notable for both AChE and BChE inhibited by VX, cyclosarin, sarin and paraoxon, if quinuclidinium compounds contained the benzyl group attached to the quinuclidinium moiety. Out of all 14, oxime Q8 [4-bromobenzyl-3-(hydroxyimino)quinuclidinium bromide] was singled out as having the highest determined overall reactivation rate of approximately 20,000 M^-1 min^-1 for cyclosarin-inhibited BChE. Furthermore, this oxime in combination with BChE exhibited a capability to act as a bioscavenger of cyclosarin, degrading within 2 h up to 100-fold excess of cyclosarin concentration over the enzyme. Molecular modeling revealed that the position of the cyclohexyl moiety conjugated with the active site serine of BChE directs the favorable positioning of the quinuclidinium ring and the bromophenyl moiety of Q8, which makes phosphonylated-serine easily accessible for the nucleophilic displacement by the oxime group of Q8. This result presents a novel scaffold for the development of new BChE-based bioscavengers. Furthermore, a cytotoxic effect was not observed for Q8, which also makes it promising for further in vivo reactivation studies.

Efficient detoxification of nerve agents by oxime-assisted reactivation of acetylcholinesterase mutants

The recent advancements in crystallography and kinetics studies involving reactivation mechanism of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibited by nerve agents have enabled a new paradigm in the search for potent medical countermeasures in case of nerve agents exposure. Poisonings by organophosphorus compounds (OP) that lead to life-threatening toxic manifestations require immediate treatment that combines administration of anticholinergic drugs and an aldoxime as a reactivator of AChE. An alternative approach to reduce the in vivo toxicity of OP centers on the use of bioscavengers against the parent organophosphate. Our recent research showed that site-directed mutagenesis of AChE can enable aldoximes to substantially accelerate the reactivation of OP-enzyme conjugates while dramatically slowing down rates of OP-conjugate dealkylation (aging). Therefore, this review focuses on oxime-assisted catalysis by AChE mutants that provides a potential means for degradation of organophosphates in the plasma before reaching the cellular target site. This article is part of the special issue entitled 'Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitors: From Bench to Bedside to Battlefield'.

Pharmacokinetic Evaluation of Brain Penetrating Morpholine-3-hydroxy-2-pyridine Oxime as an Antidote for Nerve Agent Poisoning

Nerve agents, the deadliest chemical warfare agents, are potent inhibitors of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and cause rapid cholinergic crisis with serious symptoms of poisoning. Oxime reactivators of AChE are used in medical practice in the treatment of nerve agent poisoning, but the search for novel improved reactivators with central activity is an ongoing pursuit. For numerous oximes synthesized, in vitro reactivation is a standard approach in biological evaluation with little attention given to the pharmacokinetic properties of the compounds. This study reports a comprehensive physicochemical, pharmacokinetic, and safety profiling of five lipophilic 3-hydroxy-2-pyridine aldoximes, which were recently shown to be potent AChE reactivators with a potential to be centrally active. The oxime JR595 was singled out as highly metabolically stable in human liver microsomes, noncytotoxic oxime for SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma and 1321N1 astrocytoma cell lines, and its pharmacokinetic profile was determined after intramuscular administration in mice. JR595 was rapidly absorbed into blood after 15 min with simultaneous distribution to the brain at up to about 40% of its blood concentration; however, it was eliminated from both the brain and blood within an hour. In addition, the MDCKII-MDR1 cell line assay showed that oxime JR595 was not a P-glycoprotein efflux pump substrate. Finally, the preliminary antidotal study against multiple LD₅₀ doses of VX and sarin in mice showed the potential of JR595 to provide desirable therapeutic outcomes with future improvements in its circulation time.

Trends in the Recent Patent Literature on Cholinesterase Reactivators (2016-2019)

Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) is the key enzyme responsible for deactivating the ACh neurotransmitter. Irreversible or prolonged inhibition of AChE, therefore, elevates synaptic ACh leading to serious central and peripheral adverse effects which fall under the cholinergic syndrome spectra. To combat the toxic effects of some AChEI, such as organophosphorus (OP) nerve agents, many compounds with reactivator effects have been developed. Within the most outstanding reactivators, the substances denominated oximes stand out, showing good performance for reactivating AChE and restoring the normal synaptic acetylcholine (ACh) levels. This review was developed with the purpose of covering the new advances in AChE reactivation. Over the past years, researchers worldwide have made efforts to identify and develop novel active molecules. These researches have been moving farther into the search for novel agents that possess better effectiveness of reactivation and broad-spectrum reactivation against diverse OP agents. In addition, the discovery of ways to restore AChE in the aged form is also of great importance. This review will allow us to evaluate the major advances made in the discovery of new acetylcholinesterase reactivators by reviewing all patents published between 2016 and 2019. This is an important step in continuing this remarkable research so that new studies can begin.

Evaluation of high-affinity phenyltetrahydroisoquinoline aldoximes, linked through anti-triazoles, as reactivators of phosphylated cholinesterases

Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) is a pivotal enzyme in neurotransmission. Its inhibition leads to cholinergic crises and could ultimately result in death. A related enzyme, butyrylcholinesterase (BChE), may act in the CNS as a co-regulator in terminating nerve impulses and is a natural plasma scavenger upon exposure to organophosphate (OP) nerve agents that irreversibly inhibit both enzymes. With the aim of improving reactivation of cholinesterases phosphylated by nerve agents sarin, VX, cyclosarin, and tabun, ten phenyltetrahydroisoquinoline (PIQ) aldoximes were synthesized by Huisgen 1,3 dipolar cycloaddition between alkyne- and azide-building blocks. The PIQ moiety may serve as a peripheral site anchor positioning the aldoxime moiety at the AChE active site. In terms of evaluated dissociation inhibition constants, the aldoximes could be characterized as high-affinity ligands. Nevertheless, high binding affinity of these oximes to AChE or its phosphylated conjugates did not assure rapid and selective AChE reactivation. Rather, potential reactivators of phosphylated BChE, with its enlarged acyl pocket, were identified, especially in case of cyclosarin, where the reactivation rates of the lead reactivator was 100- and 6-times that of 2-PAM and HI-6, respectively. Nevertheless, the return of the enzyme activity was affected by the nerve agent conjugated to catalytic serine, which highlights the lack of the universality of reactivators with respect to both the target enzyme and OP structure.

Resurrection and Reactivation of Acetylcholinesterase and Butyrylcholinesterase

Organophosphorus (OP) nerve agents and pesticides present significant threats to civilian and military populations. OP compounds include the nefarious G and V chemical nerve agents, but more commonly, civilians are exposed to less toxic OP pesticides, resulting in the same negative toxicological effects and thousands of deaths on an annual basis. After decades of research, no new therapeutics have been realized since the mid-1900s. Upon phosphylation of the catalytic serine residue, a process known as inhibition, there is an accumulation of acetylcholine (ACh) in the brain synapses and neuromuscular junctions, leading to a cholinergic crisis and eventually death. Oxime nucleophiles can reactivate select OP-inhibited acetylcholinesterase (AChE). Yet, the fields of reactivation of AChE and butyrylcholinesterase encounter additional challenges as broad-spectrum reactivation of either enzyme is difficult. Additional problems include the ability to cross the blood brain barrier (BBB) and to provide therapy in the central nervous system. Yet another complication arises in a competitive reaction, known as aging, whereby OP-inhibited AChE is converted to an inactive form, which until very recently, had been impossible to reverse to an active, functional form. Evaluations of uncharged oximes and other neutral nucleophiles have been made. Non-oxime reactivators, such as aromatic general bases and Mannich bases, have been developed. The issue of aging, which generates an anionic phosphylated serine residue, has been historically recalcitrant to recovery by any therapeutic approach-that is, until earlier this year. Mannich bases not only serve as reactivators of OP-inhibited AChE, but this class of compounds can also recover activity from the aged form of AChE, a process referred to as resurrection. This review covers the modern efforts to address all of these issues and notes the complexities of therapeutic development along these different lines of research.

Counteracting tabun inhibition by reactivation by pyridinium aldoximes that interact with active center gorge mutants of acetylcholinesterase

Tabun represents the phosphoramidate class of organophosphates that are covalent inhibitors of acetylcholinesterase (AChE), an essential enzyme in neurotransmission. Currently used therapy in counteracting excessive cholinergic stimulation consists of a muscarinic antagonist (atropine) and an oxime reactivator of inhibited AChE, but the classical oximes are particularly ineffective in counteracting tabun exposure. In a recent publication (Kovarik et al., 2019), we showed that several oximes prepared by the Huisgen 1,3 dipolar cycloaddition and related precursors efficiently reactivate the tabun-AChE conjugate. Herein, we pursue the antidotal question further and examine a series of lead precursor molecules, along with triazole compounds, as reactivators of two AChE mutant enzymes. Such studies should reveal structural subtleties that reside within the architecture of the active center gorge of AChE and uncover intimate mechanisms of reactivation of alkylphosphate conjugates of AChE. The designated mutations appear to minimize steric constraints of the reactivating oximes within the impacted active center gorge. Indeed, after initial screening of the triazole oxime library and its precursors for the reactivation efficacy on Y337A and Y337A/F338A human AChE mutants, we found potentially active oxime-mutant enzyme pairs capable of degrading tabun in cycles of inhibition and reactivation. Surprisingly, the most sensitive ex vivo reactivation of mutant AChEs occurred with the alkylpyridinium aldoximes. Hence, although the use of mutant enzyme bio-scavengers in humans may be limited in practicality, bioscavenging and efficient neutralization of tabun itself or phosphoramidate mixtures of organophosphates might be achieved efficiently in vitro or ex vivo with these mutant AChE combinations.

Acetylcholine suppresses the increase of glia fibrillary acidic protein expression via acetylcholine receptors in cAMP-induced astrocytic differentiation of rat C6 glioma cells

Astrocytes, the most common glial cells in the central nervous system, maintain neuronal functions and have roles in neurological diseases. Acetylcholine (ACh) is one of the most essential neurotransmitters, and ACh receptor (AChR) ligands were recently reported to influence astrocyte functions. However, the functions of ACh, the only endogenous agonist of AChR, in astrocytogenesis and in the expression of astrocytic marker genes have not been known. We previously demonstrated that the inhibition of acetylcholine esterase (AChE) suppressed the differentiation of rat glioma C6 cells, an astrocyte differentiation model, and we observed a suppressive effect of ACh agonists on astrocyte differentiation. Our present study revealed that in the cAMP-induced differentiation of C6 cells, an AChR antagonist alleviated the expression of glia fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) that had been suppressed by dichlorvos (DDVP), an organophosphate and an AChE inhibitor. Our findings also demonstrated a direct effect of ACh on the GFAP expression, and that muscarinic AChR is involved in the suppressive effect of ACh on the GFAP expression in differentiation-induced C6 cells. This is the first report indicating that ACh the only endogenous agonist for AChRs functions as a mediator of astrocyte differentiation.

Resorcinol-, catechol- and saligenin-based bronchodilating β2-agonists as inhibitors of human cholinesterase activity

We investigated the influence of bronchodilating β2-agonists on the activity of human acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and usual, atypical and fluoride-resistant butyrylcholinesterase (BChE). We determined the inhibition potency of racemate and enantiomers of fenoterol as a resorcinol derivative, isoetharine and epinephrine as catechol derivatives and salbutamol and salmeterol as saligenin derivatives. All of the tested compounds reversibly inhibited cholinesterases with Ki constants ranging from 9.4 μM to 6.4 mM and had the highest inhibition potency towards usual BChE, but generally none of the cholinesterases displayed any stereoselectivity. Kinetic and docking results revealed that the inhibition potency of the studied compounds could be related to the size of the hydroxyaminoethyl chain on the benzene ring. The additional π-π interaction of salmeterol's benzene ring and Trp286 and hydrogen bond with His447 probably enhanced inhibition by salmeterol which was singled out as the most potent inhibitor of all the cholinesterases.

New Cinchona Oximes Evaluated as Reactivators of Acetylcholinesterase and Butyrylcholinesterase Inhibited by Organophosphorus Compounds

For the last six decades, researchers have been focused on finding efficient reactivators of organophosphorus compound (OP)-inhibited acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE). In this study, we have focused our research on a new oxime scaffold based on the Cinchona structure since it was proven to fit the cholinesterases active site and reversibly inhibit their activity. Three Cinchona oximes (C1, C2, and C3), derivatives of the 9-oxocinchonidine, were synthesized and investigated in reactivation of various OP-inhibited AChE and BChE. As the results showed, the tested oximes were more efficient in the reactivation of BChE and they reactivated enzyme activity to up to 70% with reactivation rates similar to known pyridinium oximes used as antidotes in medical practice today. Furthermore, the oximes showed selectivity towards binding to the BChE active site and the determined enzyme-oxime dissociation constants supported work on the future development of inhibitors in other targeted studies (e.g., in treatment of neurodegenerative disease). Also, we monitored the cytotoxic effect of Cinchona oximes on two cell lines Hep G2 and SH-SY5Y to determine the possible limits for in vivo application. The cytotoxicity results support future studies of these compounds as long as their biological activity is targeted in the lower micromolar range.

HI-6 assisted catalytic scavenging of VX by acetylcholinesterase choline binding site mutants

The high toxicity of organophosphorus compounds originates from covalent inhibition of acetylcholinesterase (AChE), an essential enzyme in cholinergic neurotransmission. Poisonings that lead to life-threatening toxic manifestations require immediate treatment that combines administration of anticholinergic drugs and an aldoxime as a reactivator of AChE. An alternative approach to reduce the in vivo toxicity of OPs focuses on the use of bioscavengers against the parent organophosphate. Our previous research showed that AChE mutagenesis can enable aldoximes to substantially accelerate the reactivation of OP-enzyme conjugates, while dramatically slowing down rates of OP-conjugate dealkylation (aging). Herein, we demonstrate an efficient HI-6-assisted VX detoxification, both ex vivo in human blood and in vivo in mice by hAChE mutants modified at the choline binding site (Y337A and Y337A/F338A). The catalytic scavenging of VX in mice improved therapeutic outcomes preventing lethality and resulted in a delayed onset of toxicity symptoms.

Design and synthesis of N-substituted-2-hydroxyiminoacetamides and interactions with cholinesterases

Within this study, we designed and synthesized four new oxime compounds of the N-substituted 2-hydroxyiminoacetamide structure and evaluated their interactions with acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE). Our aim was to explore the possibility of extending the dual-binding mode of interaction between the enzyme and the inhibitor to a so-called triple-binding mode of interaction through the introduction of an additional binding moiety. N-substituted 2-hydroxyiminoacetamide 1 was prepared via BOP catalyzed amidation of hydroxyiminoacetic acid with 3-azido-1-phenylpropylamine. An azide group enabled us to prepare more elaborate structures 2-4 by the copper-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition. The new compounds 1-4 differed in their presumed AChE peripheral site binding moiety, which ranged from an azide group to functionalized heterocycles. Molecular docking studies revealed that all three binding moieties are involved in the non-covalent interactions with ChEs for all of the four compounds, albeit not always in the complete accordance with the proposed hypothesis. All of the four compounds reversibly inhibited the ChEs with their inhibition potency increasing in the same order for both enzymes (1 < 2 < 4 < 3). A higher preference for binding to BChE (K_I from 0.30 μmol/L to 130 μmol/L) over AChE (K_I from 50 μmol/L to 1200 μmol/L) was observed for all of the compounds. Compounds were screened for reactivation of cyclosarin-, sarin- and VX-inhibited AChE and BChE.

Probing the role of amino acids in oxime-mediated reactivation of nerve agent-inhibited human acetylcholinesterase

In this study, we employed site-directed mutagenesis to understand the role of amino acids in the gorge in oxime-induced reactivation of nerve agent-inhibited human (Hu) acetylcholinesterase (AChE). The organophosphorus (OP) nerve agents studied included GA (tabun), GB (sarin), GF (cyclosarin), VX, and VR. The kinetics of reactivation were examined using both the mono-pyridinium oxime 2-PAM and bis-pyridinium oximes MMB4, HI-6, and HLö-7. The second-order reactivation rate constants were used to compare reactivation of nerve agent-inhibited wild-type (WT) and mutant enzymes. Residues including Y72, Y124 and W286 were found to play important roles in reactivation by bis-pyridinium, but not by mono-pyridinium oximes. Residue Y124 also was found to play a key role in reactivation by HI-6 and HLö-7, while E202 was important for reactivation by all oximes. Residue substitutions of F295 by Leu and Y337 by Ala showed enhanced reactivation by bis-pyridinium oximes MMB4, HI-6, and HLö-7, possibly by providing more accessibility of the OP moiety associated at the active-site serine to the oxime. These results are similar to those observed previously with bovine AChE and demonstrate that there is significant similarity between human and bovine AChEs with regard to oxime reactivation.

Reaction pathway and free-energy barrier for reactivation of dimethylphosphoryl-inhibited human acetylcholinesterase

The dephosphorylation/reactivation mechanism and the corresponding free-energy profile of the dimethylphosphoryl-inhibited conjugate of human acetylcholinesterase (AChE) has been studied by performing first-principles quantum mechanical/molecular mechanical free-energy (QM/MM-FE) calculations. On the basis of the QM/MM-FE results, for the favorable reaction pathway, the entire dephosphorylation/reactivation process consists of three reaction steps, including the nucleophilic water attack on the P atom, the spatial reorganization of the dimethylphosphoryl group, and the dissociation between the dimethylphosphoryl group and Ser203 of AChE. The overall free-energy barrier for the entire dephosphorylation/reactivation reaction is found to be the free-energy change from the initial reactant to the transition state associated with the spatial reorganization step, and the calculated overall free-energy barrier (20.1 to 23.5 kcal/mol) is reasonably close to the experimentally derived activation free energy of 22.3 kcal/mol. In addition, key amino acid residues and their specific roles in the reaction process have been identified.

Structure-Activity Approach in the Reactivation of Tabun-Phosphorylated Human Acetylcholinesterase with Bispyridinium para-Aldoximes

We investigated interactions of bispyridinium para-aldoximes N,N'-(propano)bis(4-hydroxyiminomethyl) pyridinium bromide (TMB-4), N,N'-(ethano)bis(4-hydroxyiminomethyl)pyridinium methanosulphonate (DMB-4), and N,N'-(methano)bis(4-hydroxyiminomethyl)pyridinium chloride (MMB-4) with human erythrocyte acetylcholinesterase phosphorylated by tabun. We analysed aldoxime conformations to determine the flexibility of aldoxime as an important feature for binding to the acetylcholinesterase active site. Tabun-inhibited human erythrocyte acetylcholinesterase was completely reactivated only by the most flexible bispyridinium aldoxime - TMB-4 with a propylene chain between two rings. Shorter linkers than propylene (methylene or ethylene) as in MMB-4 and DMB-4 did not allow appropriate orientation in the active site, and MMB-4 and DMB-4 were not efficient reactivators of tabun-phosphorylated acetylcholinesterase. Since aldoximes are also reversible inhibitors of native acetylcholinesterase, we determined dissociation constants and their protective index against acetylcholinesterase inactivation by tabun.

Mutation of acetylcholinesterase to enhance oxime-assisted catalytic turnover of methylphosphonates

Selected mutagenesis of acetylcholinesterase (AChE; EC 3.1.1.7) may enable one to develop more effective scavenging agents in which AChE itself, in combination with an oxime, will complete a catalytic cycle of hydrolysis of the organophosphate by rapid conjugation followed by enhanced nucleophile-mediated hydrolysis of the phosphonyl enzyme conjugate. Through enlargement of the active site gorge of mouse AChE by mutations Y337A, F295L and F297I, we studied continuous enzymatic degradation of S(P)-cycloheptyl methylphosphonyl thiocholine (S(P)-CHMPTCh) in the presence of HI-6. Continuous hydrolysis of S(P)-CHMPTCh was measured spectrophotometrically from thiocholine released during hydrolysis with DTNB as the thiol reagent. The rates of hydrolysis expressed as moles of formed thiocholine per mole of enzyme per minute were 3.3, 0.69, 0.34 and 0.15min(-1) for F295L/Y337A, Y337A, F297I/Y337A and AChE wild-type, respectively. These rates did not depend on the initial S(P)-CHMPTCh concentration range employed. However, by increasing HI-6 concentrations, the rates approached a limiting value, indicating that oxime reactivation is the rate-limiting step in S(P)-CHMPTCh hydrolysis. Our results confirm that a mixture of a mutant enzyme and an oxime might serve as an in vivo catalytic scavenger of organophosphates.

Evaluation of monoquaternary pyridinium oximes potency to reactivate tabun-inhibited human acetylcholinesterase

Monoquaternary N-benzyl-4-hydroxyiminomethylpyridinium bromide (Py-4-H) and its analogous with diverse substituents introduced into the phenyl ring (Py-4-CH(3), Py-4-Br, Py-4-Cl and Py-4-NO(2)) were synthesized in order to examine their potency as reactivators of tabun-inhibited human erythrocyte acetylcholinesterase (AChE; EC 3.1.1.7). Within 24h, the reactivation of tabun-inhibited AChE reached 80% with Py-4-CH(3), Py-4-Br and Py-4-Cl, 40% with Py-4-NO(2), and 30% with Py-4-H. The overall reactivation rate constants were up to 5.0min(-1)M(-1). All oximes inhibited human AChE reversibly, and the inhibition potency increased in the following order Py-4-Br<Py-4-Cl<Py-4-CH(3)<Py-4-H<Py-4-NO(2). Although oximes Py-4-H and Py-4-NO(2) did not show significant reactivation ability, these oximes might be of interest as pre-treatment drugs due to their high affinity for the native AChE. Docking studies were carried out to elucidate the differences in oximes potency. The orientations of all studied oximes in the active site of human AChE have been proposed by flexible ligand docking with AutoDock 3.0. Analyses of the obtained complexes revealed the presence of numerous hydrogen bonds and close contacts between the oximes and the residues in the active site. Final docked energies predicted correctly the relative order of the inhibition potency of compounds (except in the case of Py-4-CH(3)) as well as the most probable orientation of the best reactivator, Py-4-Br, which can result in an attack on the phosphorus atom of the tabun-phosphorylated human AChE.