Synthesis and characterization of a biotinylated organophosphorus ester for detection and affinity purification of a brain serine esterase: neuropathy target esterase

Activity-based protein profiling - finding general solutions to specific problems

In this retrospective/perspective, I will share thoughts on developing and applying the activity-based protein profiling (ABPP) technology, an endeavor that has consumed much of our lab's attention over our 25+ year existence. Before doing so, I first wish to thank the colleagues who so kindly contributed to this Special Issue. I am appreciative and humbled that they were willing to share their innovative and impactful science in this format.

Interactions of human acetylcholinesterase with phenyl valerate and acetylthiocholine: Thiocholine as an enhancer of phenyl valerate esterase activity

Phenyl valerate (PV) is a neutral substrate for measuring the PVase activity of neuropathy target esterase (NTE), a key molecular event of organophosphorus-induced delayed neuropathy. This substrate has been used to discriminate and identify other proteins with esterase activity and potential targets of organophosphorus (OP) binding. A protein with PVase activity in chicken (model for delayed neurotoxicity) was identified as butyrylcholinesterase (BChE). Further studies in human BChE suggest that other sites might be involved in PVase activity. From the theoretical docking analysis, other more favorable sites for binding PV related to the Asn289 residue located far from the catalytic site ("PVsite") were deduced.In this paper, we demonstrate that acetylcholinesterase is also able to hydrolyze PV. Robust kinetic studies of interactions between substrates PV and acetylthiocholine (AtCh) were performed. The kinetics did not fit the classic competition models among substrates. While PV interacts as a competitive inhibitor in AChE activity, AtCh at low concentrations enhances PVase activity and inhibits this activity at high concentrations. Kinetic behavior suggests that the potentiation effect is caused by thiocholine released at the active site, where AtCh could act as a Trojan Horse. We conclude that the products released at the active site could play an important role in the hydrolysis reactions of different substrates in biological systems.

Neuropathy target esterase (NTE/PNPLA6) and organophosphorus compound-induced delayed neurotoxicity (OPIDN)

Systemic inhibition of neuropathy target esterase (NTE) with certain organophosphorus (OP) compounds produces OP compound-induced delayed neurotoxicity (OPIDN), a distal degeneration of axons in the central nervous system (CNS) and peripheral nervous system (PNS), thereby providing a powerful model for studying a spectrum of neurodegenerative diseases. Axonopathies are important medical entities in their own right, but in addition, illnesses once considered primary neuronopathies are now thought to begin with axonal degeneration. These disorders include Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and motor neuron diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Moreover, conditional knockout of NTE in the mouse CNS produces vacuolation and other degenerative changes in large neurons in the hippocampus, thalamus, and cerebellum, along with degeneration and swelling of axons in ascending and descending spinal cord tracts. In humans, NTE mutations cause a variety of neurodegenerative conditions resulting in a range of deficits including spastic paraplegia and blindness. Mutations in the Drosophila NTE orthologue SwissCheese (SWS) produce neurodegeneration characterized by vacuolization that can be partially rescued by expression of wild-type human NTE, suggesting a potential therapeutic approach for certain human neurological disorders. This chapter defines NTE and OPIDN, presents an overview of OP compounds, provides a rationale for NTE research, and traces the history of discovery of NTE and its relationship to OPIDN. It then briefly describes subsequent studies of NTE, including practical applications of the assay; aspects of its domain structure, subcellular localization, and tissue expression; abnormalities associated with NTE mutations, knockdown, and conventional or conditional knockout; and hypothetical models to help guide future research on elucidating the role of NTE in OPIDN.

Interactions of human butyrylcholinesterase with phenylvalerate and acetylthiocholine as substrates and inhibitors: kinetic and molecular modeling approaches

Phenyl valerate (PV) is a substrate for measuring the PVase activity of neuropathy target esterase (NTE), a key molecular event of organophosphorus-induced delayed neuropathy. A protein with PVase activity in chicken (model for delayed neurotoxicity) was identified as butyrylcholinesterase (BChE). Purified human butyrylcholinesterase (hBChE) showed PVase activity with a similar sensitivity to inhibitors as its cholinesterase (ChE) activity. Further kinetic and theoretical molecular simulation studies were performed. The kinetics did not fit classic competition models among substrates. Partially mixed inhibition was the best-fitting model to acetylthiocholine (AtCh) interacting with PVase activity. ChE activity showed substrate activation, and non-competitive inhibition was the best-fitting model to PV interacting with the non-activated enzyme and partial non-competitive inhibition was the best fitted model for PV interacting with the activated enzyme by excess of AtCh. The kinetic results suggest that other sites could be involved in those activities. From the theoretical docking analysis, we deduced other more favorable sites for binding PV related with Asn289 residue, situated far from the catalytic site ("PV-site"). Both substrates acethylcholine (ACh) and PV presented similar docking values in both the PV-site and catalytic site pockets, which explained some of the observed substrate interactions. Molecular dynamic simulations based on the theoretical structure of crystallized hBChE were performed. Molecular modeling studies suggested that PV has a higher potential for non-competitive inhibition, being also able to inhibit the hydrolysis of ACh through interactions with the PV-site. Further theoretical studies also suggested that PV could yet be able to promote competitive inhibition. We concluded that the kinetic and theoretical studies did not fit the simple classic competition among substrates, but were compatible with the interaction with two different binding sites.

Neuropathy target esterase (NTE): overview and future

Neuropathy target esterase (NTE) was discovered by M.K. Johnson in his quest for the entity responsible for the striking and mysterious paralysis brought about by certain organophosphorus (OP) esters. His pioneering work on OP neuropathy led to the view that the biochemical lesion consisted of NTE that had undergone OP inhibition and aging. Indeed, nonaging NTE inhibitors failed to produce disease but protected against neuropathy from subsequently administered aging inhibitors. Thus, inhibition of NTE activity was not the culprit; rather, formation of an abnormal protein was the agent of the disorder. More recently, however, Paul Glynn and colleagues showed that whereas conventional knockout of the NTE gene was embryonic lethal, conditional knockout of central nervous system NTE produced neurodegeneration, suggesting to these authors that the absence of NTE rather than its presence in some altered form caused disease. We now know that NTE is the 6th member of a 9-protein family called patatin-like phospholipase domain-containing proteins, PNPLA1-9. Mutations in the catalytic domain of NTE (PNPLA6) are associated with a slowly developing disease akin to OP neuropathy and hereditary spastic paraplegia called NTE-related motor neuron disorder (NTE-MND). Furthermore, the NTE protein from affected individuals has altered enzymological characteristics. Moreover, closely related PNPLA7 is regulated by insulin and glucose. These seemingly disparate findings are not necessarily mutually exclusive, but we need to reconcile recent genetic findings with the historical body of toxicological data indicating that inhibition and aging of NTE are both necessary in order to produce neuropathy from exposure to certain OP compounds. Solving this mystery will be satisfying in itself, but it is also an enterprise likely to pay dividends by enhancing our understanding of the physiological and pathogenic roles of the PNPLA family of proteins in neurological health and disease, including a potential role for NTE in diabetic neuropathy.

Biomarkers of organophosphorus (OP) exposures in humans

There are ongoing events where aircraft engine lubricant containing tricresyl phosphates (TCPs) contaminates aircraft cabins. Some individuals have experienced tremors or other neurological symptoms that may last for many months following exposures. Mass spectrometric (MS) protocols are being developed to determine the percentage of "biomarker proteins" that are modified by such exposures, specifically on active site serines. Both plasma butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) and red cell acylpeptide hydrolase (APH) are readily inhibited by 2-(ortho-cresyl)-4H-1,3,2-benzodioxaphosphoran-2-one (CBDP) or phenyl saligenin cyclic phosphate (PSP) and have the potential to provide information about the level of exposure of an individual. We have developed immunomagnetic bead-based single-step purification protocols for both BChE and APH and have characterized the active site serine adducts of BChE by MS.

Characterization of tunable piperidine and piperazine carbamates as inhibitors of endocannabinoid hydrolases

Monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL) and fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) are two enzymes from the serine hydrolase superfamily that degrade the endocannabinoids 2-arachidonoylglycerol and anandamide, respectively. We have recently discovered that MAGL and FAAH are both inhibited by carbamates bearing an N-piperidine/piperazine group. Piperidine/piperazine carbamates show excellent in vivo activity, raising brain endocannabinoid levels and producing CB1-dependent behavioral effects in mice, suggesting that they represent a promising class of inhibitors for studying the endogenous functions of MAGL and FAAH. Herein, we disclose a full account of the syntheses, structure-activity relationships, and inhibitory activities of piperidine/piperazine carbamates against members of the serine hydrolase family. These scaffolds can be tuned for MAGL-selective or dual MAGL-FAAH inhibition by the attachment of an appropriately substituted bisarylcarbinol or aryloxybenzyl moiety, respectively, on the piperidine/piperazine ring. Modifications to the piperidine/piperazine ring ablated inhibitory activity, suggesting a strict requirement for a six-membered ring to maintain potency.

Purification and characterization of neuropathy target esterase (NTE) from rat brain

Neuropathy target esterase (NTE) is an integral membrane protein in vertebrate neurons and a member of a novel family of putative serine hydrolases. Neuropathic organophosphates react covalently with the active site serine residue of NTE, causing degeneration of long axons in spinal cord and peripheral nerves which becomes clinically evident 1-3 weeks after exposure to OPs, hence termed as organophosphate induced delayed neuropathy. The present study reports the isolation and characterization of NTE protein from rat brain. Rat brain microsomes were solubilized with phospholipase A2 and they were fractionated by gel filtration chromatography in S-300 column. The sample was eluted in buffer containing polyoxyethylene W1 detergent, which yielded an active fraction of 200 kDa. The most enriched NTE active fraction was further purified by 3-9'-mercaptononylthio-1,1,1-trifluoropropan-2-one bound to sepharose CL4B. The SDS-PAGE confirmed the 155-kDa protein as the most likely candidate for NTE. Database searching of rat N-terminal protein revealed homology with variety of polypeptides from different organisms and suggested that NTE protein has function beyond the nervous system and mediates a biochemical reaction highly conserved through evolution.

Peripheral nerve esterases and the promotion of organophosphate-induced neuropathy in hens

Several esterase inhibitors, not capable of causing peripheral neuropathy by themselves, exacerbate organophosphate-induced delayed polyneuropathy (OPIDP) and other axonopathies. This effect was called promotion of axonopathies and it was found not to be associated with inhibition of neuropathy target esterase (NTE), the molecular target of OPIDP. The search for an esterase as the target of promotion has started long ago, when an eterogeneous group of esterases-hydrolysing phenyl valerate (PV) was identified in hen's sciatic nerve by means of selective inhibitors. Correlation studies in vivo indicated that the target of promotion may have been among the proteins present in the soluble fraction. When this soluble PV-esterase activity was separated on a Sephacryl-S-300 column, correlation was found between promotion and its inhibition in vivo. The electrophoretic analysis of this fraction indicated the presence of several proteins. Subsequent ion-exchange chromatography identified a protein of about 80 kDa molecular weight that was associated with PV-esterase activity. The inhibition of this activity did also correlate with promotion. The sequence of this protein identified it as ovotransferrin, but commercial preparations of ovotransferrin were found to lack PV-esterase activity. Binding experiments on this purified PV-activity and on commercial ovotransferrin using radiolabelled promoters were inconclusive. Titration of this PV-activity showed that about 20-30% of it is resistant to high concentrations of several inhibitors, suggesting heterogeneity of the fraction. In fact, bi-dimensional electrophoresis indicated the presence of several proteins. Finally, in vivo correlation experiments with p-toluensulfonyl fluoride showed that whereas this chemical does not promote OPIDP induced by dibutyl dichlorovinyl phosphate, it does inhibit about 80% of this PV-activity. In conclusion, available data indicate that the target of promotion is unlikely to be ovotransferrin. However, all promoters identified so far are esterase inhibitors suggesting that the target of promotion might be, indeed, a protein with esteratic activity.

Neuropathy target esterase and phospholipid deacylation

Certain organophosphates react with the active site serine residue of neuropathy target esterase (NTE) and cause axonal degeneration and paralysis. Cloning of NTE revealed the presence of homologues in eukaryotes from yeast to man and that the protein has both a catalytic and a regulatory domain. The latter contains sequences similar to the regulatory subunit of protein kinase A, suggesting that NTE may bind cyclic AMP. NTE is tethered via an amino-terminal transmembrane segment to the cytoplasmic face of the endoplasmic reticulum. Unlike wild-type yeast, mutants lacking NTE activity cannot deacylate CDP-choline pathway-synthesized phosphatidylcholine (PtdCho) to glycerophosphocholine (GroPCho) and fatty acids. In cultured mammalian cells, GroPCho levels rise and fall, respectively, in response to experimental over-expression, and inhibition, of NTE. A complex of PtdCho and Sec14p, a yeast phospholipid-binding protein, both inhibits the rate-limiting step in PtdCho synthesis and enhances deacylation of PtdCho by NTE. While yeast can maintain PtdCho homeostasis in the absence of NTE, certain post-mitotic metazoan cells may not be able to, and some NTE-null animals have deleterious phenotypes. NTE is not required for cell division in the early mammalian embryo or in larval and pupal forms of Drosophila, but is essential for placenta formation and survival of neurons in the adult. In vertebrates, the relative importance of NTE and calcium-independent phospholipase A2 for homeostatic PtdCho deacylation in particular cell types, possible interactions of NTE with Sec14p homologues and cyclic AMP, and whether deranged phospholipid metabolism underlies organophosphate-induced neuropathy are areas which require further investigation.

Acetylcholinesterase and neuropathy target esterase activity in female and male rats exposed to pesticide terbufos

An organophosphate pesticide terbufos (S-t-butylthiomethyl-O,O-diethyl phosphorodithioate; TBF) has been extensively used as an insecticide. A sexual dimorphism in TBF toxicity was not reported and remains unclear. The objective of the work was to investigate the influence of TBF on sexual dimorphism after oral administration of TBF to rats by using acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and neuropathy target esterase (NTE) as endpoints. TBF was orally administered to Sprague-Dawley rats, where female rats were received 0, 0.1, 0.4 and 0.8mg/kg TBF for 2 days and male rats 0, 0.1, 0.5 and 1.0mg/kg TBF for 3 days for dose-dependent study. Age-matched female and male rats also received equally 0.5mg/kg TBF for 2 days and sacrificed 0, 6, 12, 24 and 72h after the last dose for time-dependent study. In the dose-dependent study, mortality was 25% in 1.0mg/kg TBF group of male and 50% in 0.4 and 0.8mg/kg TBF groups of female rats, resulting in about two-fold higher in female than male. AChE was significantly decreased only in the frontal and entorhinal cortexes of female rats receiving 0.4 or 0.8mg/kg TBF. In the time-dependent study, the maximal inhibition in the brain regions or plasma was two- or three-fold higher in female, which occurred 6 or 12h after the last dose. However, effects of TBF on alteration of NTE activity were minor, compared to AChE, indicating that AChE is more sensitive marker than NTE in TBF toxicity. These results also indicate that female was more vulnerable to AChE inhibition than male rats after exposure to TBF.

Evidence that mouse brain neuropathy target esterase is a lysophospholipase

Neuropathy target esterase (NTE) is inhibited by several organophosphorus (OP) pesticides, chemical warfare agents, lubricants, and plasticizers, leading to OP-induced delayed neuropathy in people (>30,000 cases of human paralysis) and hens (the best animal model for this demyelinating disease). The active site region of NTE as a recombinant protein preferentially hydrolyzes lysolecithin, suggesting that this enzyme may be a type of lysophospholipase (LysoPLA) with lysolecithin as its physiological substrate. This hypothesis is tested here in mouse brain by replacing the phenyl valerate substrate of the standard NTE assay with lysolecithin for an "NTE-LysoPLA" assay with four important findings. First, NTE-LysoPLA activity, as the NTE activity, is 41-45% lower in Nte-haploinsufficient transgenic mice than in their wild-type littermates. Second, the potency of six delayed neurotoxicants or toxicants as in vitro inhibitors varies from IC50 0.02 to 13,000 nM and is essentially the same for NTE-LysoPLA and NTE (r2 = 0.98). Third, the same six delayed toxicants administered i.p. to mice at multiple doses inhibit brain NTE-LysoPLA and NTE to the same extent (r2 = 0.90). Finally, their in vivo inhibition of brain NTE-LysoPLA generally correlates with delayed toxicity. Therefore, OP-induced delayed toxicity in mice, and possibly the hyperactivity associated with NTE deficiency, may be due to NTE-LysoPLA inhibition, leading to localized accumulation of lysolecithin, a known demyelinating agent and receptor-mediated signal transducer. This mouse model has some features in common with OP-induced delayed neuropathy in hens and people but differs in the neuropathological signs and apparently the requirement for NTE aging.

Characterization of binding sites for diisopropyl phosphorofluoridate in spinal cord cytosol

Gel filtration chromatography was performed on cytosol preparation of hen spinal cord to find molecular target(s) for organophosphorus-induced delayed neurotoxicity (OPIDN). Three binding peaks of [(3)H]diisopropyl phosphorofluoridate (DFP), an organophosphate that induces OPIDN, were separated from the cytosol preparation. The activities of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and neuropathy target esterase (NTE) that has been proposed as a screening method for OPIDN eluted in the fractions within these two DFP binding peaks. However, the other peak had none of the activities of AChE and NTE. Therefore, this DFP binding proteins in cytosol may be peculiar to the pathogenesis of OPIDN.

Enzyme mimicry by the antiidiotypic antibody approach

The concept of "internal image" of antiidiotypic antibodies has provided the basis for eliciting catalytic antibodies. A monoclonal IgM 9A8 that was obtained as an antiidiotype to AE-2 mAb, a known inhibitor of acetylcholinesterase, displayed esterolytic activity. Study of recombinant Fab fragments and separate light and heavy chains of 9A8 confirmed that the antibody variable domain encodes the catalytic function, whereas neither part of the primary sequence of the Fab exhibited homology with the enzyme. The specific modification of the 9A8 variable domain by an active site-directed covalent inhibitor revealed the presence of an active site Ser residue. A three-dimensional modeling suggests the existence of a functional catalytic dyad Ser-His. Comparison of active sites of 9A8 and 17E8 esterolytic abzyme raised against transition-state analog revealed structural similarity although both antibodies were elicited by two different approaches.

Membrane association of and critical residues in the catalytic domain of human neuropathy target esterase

Neuropathy target esterase (NTE) is an integral membrane protein in vertebrate neurons and a member of a novel family of putative serine hydrolases. Here we show that NEST, a recombinant polypeptide expressed in Escherichia coli, reacts with an ester substrate and covalent inhibitors in a manner very similar to NTE. NEST comprises residues 727-1216 of human NTE, and site-directed mutagenesis revealed that serine 966 and two aspartate residues, Asp(1086) and Asp(960), are critical for catalysis. The results of mutating the 11 histidines in NEST suggest that NTE does not use a conventional catalytic triad. By reacting NEST with [(3)H]diisopropyl fluorophosphate, Ser(966) was confirmed as the active-site serine, and evidence was obtained that an isopropyl group is transferred from the Ser(966) adduct to an aspartate residue. Detergent was required both for solubilization of NEST from lysates of E. coli and during purification procedures. Catalytic activity was lost in detergent extracts, but was restored when purified NEST was incorporated into dioleoylphosphatidylcholine liposomes. Hydropathy analysis did not indicate the presence of membrane-spanning segments within the NEST sequence. However, biochemical evidence including detergent-phase separation experiments and the resistance of liposome-incorporated NEST to proteolysis indicated that, unlike most eukaryotic serine hydrolases, the catalytic domain of NTE has integral membrane protein properties.

Activity-based protein profiling: the serine hydrolases

With the postgenome era rapidly approaching, new strategies for the functional analysis of proteins are needed. To date, proteomics efforts have primarily been confined to recording variations in protein level rather than activity. The ability to profile classes of proteins on the basis of changes in their activity would greatly accelerate both the assignment of protein function and the identification of potential pharmaceutical targets. Here, we describe the chemical synthesis and utility of an active-site directed probe for visualizing dynamics in the expression and function of an entire enzyme family, the serine hydrolases. By reacting this probe, a biotinylated fluorophosphonate referred to as FP-biotin, with crude tissue extracts, we quickly and with high sensitivity detect numerous serine hydrolases, many of which display tissue-restricted patterns of expression. Additionally, we show that FP-biotin labels these proteins in an activity-dependent manner that can be followed kinetically, offering a powerful means to monitor dynamics simultaneously in both protein function and expression.

Neuropathy target esterase

Neuropathy target esterase (NTE) is an integral membrane protein present in all neurons and in some non-neural-cell types of vertebrates. Recent data indicate that NTE is involved in a cell-signalling pathway controlling interactions between neurons and accessory glial cells in the developing nervous system. NTE has serine esterase activity and efficiently catalyses the hydrolysis of phenyl valerate (PV) in vitro, but its physiological substrate is unknown. By sequence analysis NTE has been found to be related neither to the major serine esterase family, which includes acetylcholinesterase, nor to any other known serine hydrolases. NTE comprises at least two functional domains: an N-terminal putative regulatory domain and a C-terminal effector domain which contains the esterase activity and is, in part, conserved in proteins found in bacteria, yeast, nematodes and insects. NTE's effector domain contains three predicted transmembrane segments, and the active-site serine residue lies at the centre of one of these segments. The isolated recombinant domain shows PV hydrolase activity only when incorporated into phospholipid liposomes. NTE's esterase activity appears to be largely redundant in adult vertebrates, but organophosphates which react with NTE in vivo initiate unknown events which lead, after a delay of 1-3 weeks, to a neuropathy with degeneration of long axons. These neuropathic organophosphates leave a negatively charged group covalently attached to the active-site serine residue, and it is suggested that this may cause a toxic gain of function in NTE.

NTE soluble isoforms: new perspectives for targets of neuropathy inducers and promoters

Neural carboxylesterases can be discriminated by differential inhibition assays with organophosphorus compounds (OPs), paraoxon (O,O'-diethyl p-nitrophenyl phosphate) and mipafox (N,N'-diisopropyl phosphorodiamidofluoridate) being the ones used to discriminate esterases that should be either irrelevant or candidates as targets of the mechanism of induction of the organophosphorus-induced delayed polyneuropathy (OPIDP). The brain membrane-bound phenyl valerate esterase (PVase) defined by Dr Johnson in 1969 as neuropathy target esterase (NTE) and recently cloned by Dr Glynn and coworkers is termed here as particulate NTE due to its association to the membrane particulate fraction. It is considered as the target of OPIDP and is the activity measured in standard NTE assays and toxicity tests. Following the same operational criteria in the soluble fraction of sciatic nerve a paraoxon-resistant but mipafox-sensitive PVase activity was described and termed as S-NTE, with an apparent lower sensitivity to some inhibitors than particulate NTE. Two isoforms (S-NTE1 and S-NTE2) were subsequently separated by gel filtration chromatography. In a partly purified S-NTE2 preparation polypeptides were identified in western blots by labelling with S9B [1-(saligenin cyclic phospho)-9-biotinyldiaminononane], the same biotinylated OP used to label and isolate particulate NTE, but not with anti-particulate NTE antibodies. From sequential inhibition protocols, inhibitor washing-out and time course inhibition studies it is deduced that reversibility of inhibition is a new factor introducing a higher complexity in the identification of the esterases that could be candidates as targets of the mechanisms of induction and/or promotion of neuropathy. We have evidences that in sciatic nerve soluble fraction a high proportion (about 70%) of the activity that is inhibited by paraoxon in the usual concurrent assay is quickly reactivated after removing paraoxon and it is permanently inhibited by mipafox. Under this improved sequential paraoxon/mipafox inhibition procedure S-NTE represents about 50% of total PVases while in the usual concurrent assay it was only apparently about 1-2%. Moreover with such criteria, S-NTE2 isoform(s) represents about 97-99% of total S-NTE, and S-NTE1 is only a marginal amount probably resulting of a partial solubilization from particulate NTE. Fixed time inhibiton curves with variable mipafox concentration failed to discriminate more than one component. However kinetic behaviour of the time progressive inhibition cannot be explained by a simple model with a single exponential mathematical component, indicating that either the possibility of more than one component or a more complex mechanistic model should be considered. Consequently both particulate NTE and S-NTE assay protocols and their role in induction and promotion of neuropathies will need to be reviewed. Data published by Drs Lotti, Moretto and coworkers suggest that particulate NTE cannot be the target of promotion of axonopathies. The proposal that S-NTE2 could be such a target is suggestive and under collaborative biochemical and toxicological studies.

Molecular cloning of neuropathy target esterase (NTE)

Covalent modification of NTE, a neuronal protein with serine esterase activity, by certain organophosphates (OP) initiates degeneration of long axons in the peripheral and central nervous system. Simple inhibition of NTE esterase activity does not initiate neuropathy; the latter requires aging of the OP bound to the catalytic serine residue so that a negatively-charged species is left attached to the active site. This may indicate that a non-esterase function of NTE is important for axonal maintenance. We have recently cloned NTE and shown that it is unrelated to any known serine hydrolases but contains a novel C-terminal domain which is conserved from bacteria to man. Furthermore, the catalytic serine is located within this domain at the centre of a helical hydrophobic segment of the polypeptide's secondary structure. The integrity of NTE would be severely compromised by the presence of a negatively-charged organophosphate moiety at this site. Implications for possible higher-order structures and functions for NTE are discussed.

Neuropathy target esterase and a homologous Drosophila neurodegeneration-associated mutant protein contain a novel domain conserved from bacteria to man

The N-terminal amino acid sequences of proteolytic fragments of neuropathy target esterase (NTE), covalently labelled on its active-site serine by a biotinylated organophosphorus ester, were determined and used to deduce the location of this serine residue and to initiate cloning of its cDNA. A putative NTE clone, isolated from a human foetal brain cDNA library, encoded a 1327 residue polypeptide with no homology to any known serine esterases or proteases. The active-site serine of NTE (Ser-966) lay in the centre of a predicted hydrophobic helix within a 200-amino-acid C-terminal domain with marked similarity to conceptual proteins in bacteria, yeast and nematodes; these proteins may comprise a novel family of potential serine hydrolases. The Swiss Cheese protein which, when mutated, leads to widespread cell death in Drosophila brain [Kretzschmar, Hasan, Sharma, Heisenberg and Benzer (1997) J. Neurosci. 17, 7425-7432], was strikingly homologous to NTE, suggesting that genetically altered NTE may be involved in human neurodegenerative disease.

Neuropathy target esterase: immunolocalization to neuronal cell bodies and axons

Determination of the molecular mechanisms involved in organophosphate-induced axonopathy may help to elucidate those involved in normal axonal maintenance and in other neurodegenerative conditions. In this study we aimed to define the cellular distribution of neuropathy target esterase, the primary target protein for neuropathic organophosphates. A synthetic peptide corresponding to the sequence of a proteolytic fragment of neuropathy target esterase purified from chicken brain was used to raise a rabbit antiserum designated R28. The antiserum was shown by immunoprecipitation and western blotting of brain extracts to react with a polypeptide of the expected molecular size (155,000 mol. wt); this reaction was blocked by preincubating the antiserum with the immunizing peptide. Prominent intracellular immunostaining by R28 was seen in neuronal cell bodies and, in some cases, proximal axon segments in frozen sections of chicken brain cortex, optic tectum, cerebellum, spinal cord, and dorsal root ganglia. Cells with glial morphology were not immunostained, neither were normal sciatic nerve or motor end plates. However, 8-12 h following sciatic nerve ligation, immunoreactive material was seen to accumulate both proximal and, to a lesser extent, distal to the ligature, indicating that neuropathy target esterase undergoes fast axonal transport. No gross qualitative or quantitative changes in the above pattern of neuropathy target esterase immunoreactivity were detected in tissue obtained from chickens one or three days following treatment with a neuropathic organophosphate. The presence of neuropathy target esterase in essentially all neurons indicates that the selective vulnerability of long axons to neuropathic organophosphates is dependent on factors additional to the presence of the target protein.

Discrimination of carboxylesterases of chicken neural tissue by inhibition with a neuropathic, non-neuropathic organophosphorus compounds and neuropathy promoter

Carboxylesterases are enzymes present in neural and other tissues that are sensitive to organophosphorus compounds. The esterase activity in particulate forms, resistant to paraoxon and sensitive to mipafox have been implicated in the initiation of organophosphorus-induced delayed polyneuropathy (OPIDP) and is called neuropathy target esterase (P-NTE). Certain esterases inhibitors such as phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride (PMSF), can also irreversibly inhibit P-NTE and by this mechanism PMSF 'protects' from further effect of neuropathic OPs. However, if PMSF is dosed after a low non-neuropathic dose of a neuropathic OP, its neurotoxicity is 'promoted', causing severe neuropathy. The molecular target of promotion has not yet been identified and it has been shown that it is unlikely to be the P-NTE. In order to discriminate the different esterases, we used non-neuropathic (paraoxon), and neuropathic organophosphorus compounds (mipafox, DFP) and a neuropathy promoter (PMSF). They were used alone or in concurrent inhibition to study particulate and soluble fractions of brain, spinal cord and sciatic nerve of chicken. From the experimental data, a matrix was constructed and equations deduced to estimate the proportions of the different potential activity fractions that can be discriminated by their sensitivity to the tested inhibitors. It was deduced that only combinations of up to three inhibitors can be used for the analysis with consistent results. In all tissues, inside the paraoxon sensitive activity, most of the activity was sensitive either to mipafox, to PMSF or both. In all fractions, except brain soluble fractions, within the paraoxon resistant activity, a mipafox sensitive component was detected that is operationally considered NTE (P-NTE and S-NTE in particulate and soluble fractions, respectively). Most of this activity was also sensitive to PMSF, and this should be considered the target of organophosphorus inducing neuropathy and of PMSF protective effect. Either in brain and spinal cord, a significant amount of the activity resistant to 40 microM paraoxon and 250 microM mipafox (usually called 'C' activity) is sensitive to PMSF. It could be a good candidate to contain the target of the promotion effect of PMSF as well as the S-NTE activity that is also PMSF sensitive.

Phenyl valerate esterases other than neuropathy target esterase and the promotion of organophosphate polyneuropathy

Certain esterase inhibitors (such as phenylmethanesulfonyl fluoride, PMSF) enhance the clinical and morphological signs of organophosphate-induced delayed polyneuropathy (OPIDP) in hens. This is called promotion of OPIDP. The target of promotion is unknown, but it is likely to be different from neuropathy target esterase (NTE), the target of OPIDP, NTE is a neural phenyl valerate (PV) esterase, operationally defined by selective inhibition with organophosphates. This study was aimed to ascertain whether the target for promotion is a PV esterase other than NTE. Brain and sciatic nerve PV esterases of hens were incubated with diisopropylphosphorofluoridate (DFP; 5 microM) or N,N-diisopropyl phosphorodiamidofluoridate (mipafox; 50 microM) to inhibit NTE and other esterases thought not to be relevant to promotion. Remaining activities, quantitatively similar after either inhibition, were titrated with PMSF (up to 500 microM) and analysis of time course of inhibition showed first-order kinetics. Mipafox (50 microM)-resistant PMSF (500 microM)-sensitive activity (about 80% of mipafox-resistant ones) was tested both in vitro and in vivo with several inhibitors. No correlation was found between inhibition of mipafox-resistant PMSF-sensitive activity and the capability of several inhibitors to promote OPIDP. We conclude that the target of promotion is unlikely to be a PV esterase resistant to mipafox (50 microM).

Actions of two highly potent organophosphorus neuropathy target esterase inhibitors in mammalian cell lines

Neuropathy target esterase (NTE) is inhibited by many organophosphorus compounds that induce delayed neuropathy. This study examines two of the most potent NTE inhibitors, 2-octyl-4H-1,3,2-benzodioxaphosphorin 2-oxide (OBDPO) and ethyl octylphosphonofluoridate (EOPF), in cell lines with neural properties (PC-12 and NB41A3) and of nonneural origin (C6 and HeLa). NTE-like esteratic activity is higher in PC-12, HeLa and C6 cells than in NB41A3 cells and in each case is inhibited 50% by OBDPO and EOPF at 0.03-3.4 nM in vitro and by OBDPO at 0.080-36 nM in situ in culture. An NTE-like protein(s) of about 155 kDa is phosphorylated and labeled by [3H-octyl]OBDPO in these cell lines in the same order as their relative NTE esteratic activity. Cytotoxic levels of OBDPO and EOPF (300-500 microM) are generally 10(5) to > 10(7)-fold higher than required for NTE inhibition. PC-12 cells and OBDPO/[3H]OBDPO and EOPF are therefore suitable for research on non-lethal biochemical disruptions from NTE phosphorylation and aging.

Bovine chromaffin cells in culture show carboxylesterase activities sensitive to organophosphorus compounds

Carboxylesterase activities are widely distributed in a great variety of tissues; however, the biological function of these enzymes remains unclear. Some organophosphorus compounds induce a neurodegenarative syndrome related to the covalent modification of a carboxylesterase known as neuropathy target esterase. We investigated the expression of neuropathy target esterase and related carboxylesterase in bovine chromaffin cells with the aim of developing a potential in vitro model for studying the cellular function of carboxylesterase enzymes and toxic effects of organophosphorus compounds. Total phenyl valerate esterase exhibited an activity of 1.27 +/- 0.19 mU/10(5) cells (SD, n = 15). From the phenyl valerate esterase paraoxon and mipafox inhibition curves the following activities have been determined: B-activity (resistant to 40 microM paraoxon), 1.05 +/- 0.08 mU/10(5) cells (n = 8); C-activity (resistant to 40 microM paraoxon plus 250 microM mipafox), 0.12 +/- 0.05 mU/10(5) cells (n = 8); and neuropathy target esterase, calculated by the difference between B- and C-activities, 0.93 +/- 0.08 mU/10(5) cells (n = 8). All of these activities increased linearly with the number of cells and time of incubation with the substrate. Most of the phenol product of the reaction was released and detected in the extracellular medium. None of the components of the reaction were shown to affect cell viability when assessed by trypan blue exclusion. The study shows that bovine chromaffin cells possess carboxylesterase activities and respond to inhibition by paraoxon and mipafox, thus facilitating the discrimination of neuropathy target esterase. In conclusion, bovine chromaffin cells are appropriate as an in vitro cell model for studying toxic effects of organophosphorus compounds.

Neuropathy target esterase (NTE) and organophosphorus-induced delayed polyneuropathy (OPIDP): recent advances

The identification of neuropathy target esterase (NTE) as the site for initiation of organophosphorus-induced delayed polyneuropathy (OPIDP) has led to informative acute and chronic neurotoxicity tests (adopted by OECD and EPA), to structure/activity and in vitro/in vivo predictions, and to a sound basis for extrapolations to man. Purification of the sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS)-denatured 155-kDa sub-unit of NTE has enabled partial sequencing and molecular biological studies. A MAb to the chicken brain sub-unit and PAbs to synthetic peptides have been raised: preliminary experiments suggest that one is effective for immunohistochemistry of frozen tissue. cDNA libraries are being screened with synthetic oligonucleotides, polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-developed primers, and with Ab in order to obtain cloned NTE. Previous studies of NTE in vivo have not revealed its normal physiological function or the route from inhibition to degeneration of axons, but the current progress in molecular biology of NTE is applicable to study of the function of normal and organophosphorus (OP)-modified NTE in cultured neural cells.

Bifunctional activity labels for selection of filamentous bacteriophages displaying enzymes

Two bifunctional activity labels of beta-lactamases or penicillin binding proteins have been prepared. They feature a penicillin sulfone derivative, i.e. a suicide substrate of serine beta-lactamases, or a penicillin derivative connected to a biotin moiety through a spacer containing a disulfide bridge. The biotinyl spacer 4 was prepared by coupling biotin to epsilon-amino-caproic acid, then to cystamine, and purified by transient protection with t-Boc. The penicillin sulfone inhibitor 13 was prepared by chemoselective sulfonylation of methoxymethyl 6-aminopenicillinate with pentafluorophenoxy- or benzyloxy-carbonylmethylsulfonyl chloride (9), followed by permanganate oxidation. Both direct coupling of the activated ester 13b and indirect coupling of the acid 13c obtained by benzyl ester deprotection, afforded the biotinylated sulfone inhibitor 16. The acid 6 resulting from reaction of the biotinyl spacer 4 with glutaric anhydride was activated as pentafluorophenyl-ester 7 and reacted with 6-aminopenicillanic acid to afford the penicillin binding protein label 18. Selection of the most active beta-lactamase displayed on phage from a mixture containing less active enzymes could be accomplished in three rounds of labeling and affinity chromatography using suicide inhibitor 16.