Neuropathy Target Esterase Research Articles

Impairment of glutamate signaling in mouse central nervous system neurons in vitro by tri-ortho-cresyl phosphate at noncytotoxic concentrations.

Occupational and environmental exposure to tri-cresyl phosphates (TCPs) may cause various types of neurotoxicity. Among the TCP isomers, tri-ortho-cresyl phosphate is a well-studied organophosphate (OP) known to cause OP-induced delayed neuropathy (OPIDN). Clinically, OPIDN is characterized by limb paralysis caused by the inhibition of neuropathy target esterase. Like other OPs, TOCP may also trigger acute toxicity by yet unknown mechanisms. Neurotoxic effects of TCPs, including TOCP, on central nervous system functions have not been studied in depth, and such non-OPIDN mechanisms might be related to the aerotoxic syndrome. To identify alternative mechanisms of TOCP neurotoxicity, we conducted an in vitro study using primary cortical neurons isolated from mouse embryos (E 16.5). After 24 h or 6 days in vitro (DIV), cell cultures were treated with different TOCP concentrations for 24 h. On DIV 2 and 7, we investigated three different endpoints--general cytotoxicity, neurite outgrowth, and glutamatergic signaling. At both time points, the EC50 for TOCP-induced cell death was 90 μM, however, neurite outgrowth was already significantly affected at TOCP concentrations of 10 μM. The number of cells responding to glutamate, as well as the corresponding mean response amplitudes were reduced with TOCP concentrations as low as 100 nM. For the first time, functional neurotoxicity is observed with very low TOCP concentrations, and in the absence of structural damages. Our proposed mechanism is that TOCP exposure may lead to cognitive deficits relevant in aerotoxic syndrome by inhibiting the signaling of glutamate, the most abundant excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain.

V-type nerve agents phosphonylate ubiquitin at biologically relevant lysine residues and induce intramolecular cyclization by an isopeptide bond

Toxic organophosphorus compounds (e.g., pesticides and nerve agents) are known to react with nucleophilic side chains of different amino acids (phosphylation), thus forming adducts with endogenous proteins. Most often binding to serine, tyrosine, or threonine residues is described as being of relevance for toxicological effects (e.g., acetylcholinesterase and neuropathy target esterase) or as biomarkers for post-exposure analysis (verification, e.g., albumin and butyrylcholinesterase). Accordingly, identification of novel protein targets might be beneficial for a better understanding of the toxicology of these compounds, revealing new bioanalytical verification tools, and improving knowledge on chemical reactivity. In the present study, we investigated the reaction of ubiquitin (Ub) with the V-type nerve agents Chinese VX, Russian VX, and VX in vitro. Ub is a ubiquitous protein with a mass of 8564.8Da present in the extra- and intracellular space that plays an important physiological role in several essential processes (e.g., proteasomal degradation, DNA repair, protein turnover, and endocytosis). Reaction products were analyzed by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time-of-flight- mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) and μ-high-performance liquid chromatography online coupled to UV-detection and electrospray ionization MS (μHPLC-UV/ESI MS). Our results originally document that a complex mixture of at least mono-, di, and triphosphonylated Ub adducts was produced. Surprisingly, peptide mass fingerprint analysis in combination with MALDI and ESI MS/MS revealed that phosphonylation occurred with high selectivity in at least 6 of 7 surface-exposed lysine residues that are essential for the biological function of Ub. These reaction products were found not to age. In addition, we herein report for the first time that phosphonylation induced intramolecular cyclization by formation of an isopeptide bond between the ε-amino group of a formerly phosphonylated lysine and the side chain of an adjacent acidic glutamic acid residue.

Interaction between substrates suggests a relationship between organophosphorus-sensitive phenylvalerate- and acetylcholine-hydrolyzing activities in chicken brain

Organophosphorus compounds (OPs) induce neurotoxic disorders through interactions with well-known target esterases, such as acetylcholinesterase and neuropathy target esterase (NTE). However, OPs interact with other esterases of unknown biological function. In soluble chicken brain fractions, three components of enzymatic phenylvalerate esterase activity (PVase) called Eα, Eβ and Eγ, have been kinetically discriminated. These components are studied in this work for the relationship with acetylcholine-hydrolyzing activity. When Eα PVase activity (resistant PVase activity to 1500μM PMSF for 30min) was tested with different acetylthiocholine concentrations, inhibition was observed. The best-fitting model to the data was the non-competitive inhibition model (Km=0.12, 0.22mM, Ki=6.6, 7.6mM). Resistant acetylthiocholine-hydrolyzing activity to 1500μM PMSF was inhibited by phenylvalerate showing competitive inhibition (Km=0.09, 0.11mM; Ki=1.7, 2.2mM). Eβ PVase activity (resistant PVase activity to 25μM mipafox for 30min) was not affected by the presence of acetylthiocholine, while resistant acetylthiocholine-hydrolyzing activity to 25μM mipafox showed competitive inhibition in the presence of phenylvalerate (Km=0.05, 0.06mM; Ki=0.44, 0.58mM). The interactions observed between the substrates of AChE and PVase suggest that part of PVase activity might be a protein with acetylthiocholine-hydrolyzing activity.

Organophosphate-Induced Changes in the PKA Regulatory Function of Swiss Cheese/NTE Lead to Behavioral Deficits and Neurodegeneration

Organophosphate-induced delayed neuropathy (OPIDN) is a Wallerian-type axonopathy that occurs weeks after exposure to certain organophosphates (OPs). OPs have been shown to bind to Neuropathy Target Esterase (NTE), thereby inhibiting its enzymatic activity. However, only OPs that also induce the so-called aging reaction cause OPIDN. This reaction results in the release and possible transfer of a side group from the bound OP to NTE and it has been suggested that this induces an unknown toxic function of NTE. To further investigate the mechanisms of aging OPs, we used Drosophila, which expresses a functionally conserved orthologue of NTE named Swiss Cheese (SWS). Treating flies with the organophosporous compound tri-ortho-cresyl phosphate (TOCP) resulted in behavioral deficits and neurodegeneration two weeks after exposure, symptoms similar to the delayed effects observed in other models. In addition, we found that primary neurons showed signs of axonal degeneration within an hour after treatment. Surprisingly, increasing the levels of SWS, and thereby its enzymatic activity after exposure, did not ameliorate these phenotypes. In contrast, reducing SWS levels protected from TOCP-induced degeneration and behavioral deficits but did not affect the axonopathy observed in cell culture. Besides its enzymatic activity as a phospholipase, SWS also acts as regulatory PKA subunit, binding and inhibiting the C3 catalytic subunit. Measuring PKA activity in TOCP treated flies revealed a significant decrease that was also confirmed in treated rat hippocampal neurons. Flies expressing additional PKA-C3 were protected from the behavioral and degenerative phenotypes caused by TOCP exposure whereas primary neurons were not. In addition, knocking-down PKA-C3 caused similar behavioral and degenerative phenotypes as TOCP treatment. We therefore propose a model in which OP-modified SWS cannot release PKA-C3 and that the resulting loss of PKA-C3 activity plays a crucial role in developing the delayed symptoms of OPIDN but not in the acute toxicity.

Genomic and Phenotypic Alterations of the Neuronal-Like Cells Derived from Human Embryonal Carcinoma Stem Cells (NT2) Caused by Exposure to Organophosphorus Compounds Paraoxon and Mipafox

Historically, only few chemicals have been identified as neurodevelopmental toxicants, however, concern remains, and has recently increased, based upon the association between chemical exposures and increased developmental disorders. Diminution in motor speed and latency has been reported in preschool children from agricultural communities. Organophosphorus compounds (OPs) are pesticides due to their acute insecticidal effects mediated by the inhibition of acetylcholinesterase, although other esterases as neuropathy target esterase (NTE) can also be inhibited. Other neurological and neurodevelopmental toxic effects with unknown targets have been reported after chronic exposure to OPs in vivo. We studied the initial stages of retinoic acid acid-triggered differentiation of pluripotent cells towards neural progenitors derived from human embryonal carcinoma stem cells to determine if neuropathic OP, mipafox, and non-neuropathic OP, paraoxon, are able to alter differentiation of neural precursor cells in vitro. Exposure to 1 μM paraoxon (non-cytotoxic concentrations) altered the expression of different genes involved in signaling pathways related to chromatin assembly and nucleosome integrity. Conversely, exposure to 5 μM mipafox, a known inhibitor of NTE activity, showed no significant changes on gene expression. We conclude that 1 μM paraoxon could affect the initial stage of in vitro neurodifferentiation possibly due to a teratogenic effect, while the absence of transcriptional alterations by mipafox exposure did not allow us to conclude a possible effect on neurodifferentiation pathways at the tested concentration.

Further studies toward a mouse model for biochemical assessment of neuropathic potential of organophosphorus compounds.

Inhibition and aging of neuropathy target esterase (NTE) by neuropathic organophosphorus (OP) compounds triggers OP compound-induced delayed neuropathy (OPIDN), whereas inhibition of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) produces cholinergic toxicity. The neuropathic potential of an OP compound is defined by its relative inhibitory potency toward NTE vs. AChE assessed by enzyme assays following dosing in vivo or after incubations of direct-acting compounds or active metabolites with enzymes in vitro. The standard animal model of OPIDN is the adult hen, but its large size and high husbandry costs make this species a burdensome model for assessing neuropathic potential. Although the mouse does not readily exhibit clinical signs of OPIDN, it displays axonal lesions and expresses brain AChE and NTE. Therefore, the present research was performed as a further test of the hypothesis that inhibition of mouse brain AChE and NTE could be used to assess neuropathic potential using mouse brain preparations in vitro or employing mouse brain assays following dosing of OP compounds in vivo. Excellent correlations were obtained for inhibition kinetics in vitro of mouse brain enzymes vs. hen brain and human recombinant enzymes. Furthermore, inhibition of mouse brain AChE and NTE after dosing with OP compounds afforded ED(50) ratios that agreed with relative inhibitory potencies assessed in vitro. Taken together, results with mouse brain enzymes demonstrated consistent correspondence between in vitro and in vivo predictors of neuropathic potential, thus adding to previous studies supporting the validity of a mouse model for biochemical assessment of the ability of OP compounds to produce OPIDN.

Functional pathways altered after silencing Pnpla6 (the codifying gene of neuropathy target esterase) in mouse embryonic stem cells under differentiation

Neuropathy target esterase (NTE) is involved in several disorders in adult organisms and embryos. A relationship between NTE and nervous system integrity and maintenance in adult systems has been suggested. NTE-related motor neuron disease is associated with the expression of a mutant form of NTE and the inhibition and further modification of NTE by organophosphorus compounds is the trigger of a delayed neurodegenerative neuropathy. Homozygotic NTE knockout mice embryos are not viable, while heterozygotic NTE knockout mice embryos yields mice with neurological disorders, which suggest that this protein plays a critical role in embryonic development. The present study used D3 mouse embryonic stem cells with the aim of gaining mechanistic insights on the role of Pnpla6 (NTE gene encoding) in the developmental process. D3 cells were silenced by lipofectamine transfection with a specific interference RNA for Pnpla6. Silencing Pnpla6 in D3 monolayer cultures reduced NTE enzymatic activity to 50% 20 h post-treatment, while the maximum loss of Pnpla6 expression reached 80% 48 h postsilencing. Pnpla6 was silenced in embryoid bodies and 545 genes were differentially expressed regarding the control 96 h after silencing, which revealed alterations in multiple genetic pathways, such as cell motion and cell migration, vesicle regulation, and cell adhesion. These findings also allow considering that these altered pathways would impair the formation of respiratory, neural, and vascular tubes causing the deficiencies observed in the in vivo development of nervous and vascular systems. Our findings, therefore, support the previous observations made in vivo concerning lack of viability of mice embryos not expressing NTE and help to understand the biology of several neurological and developmental disorders in which NTE is involved.

Kinetic interactions of a neuropathy potentiator (phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride) with the neuropathy target esterase and other membrane bound esterases

Phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride (PMSF) is a protease and esterase inhibitor that causes protection, or potentiation/"promotion," of organophosphorus delayed neuropathy (OPIDN), depending on whether it is dosed before or after an inducer of delayed neuropathy, such as mipafox. The molecular target of the potentiation/promotion of OPIDN has not yet been identified. The kinetic data of phenyl valerate esterase inhibition by PMSF were obtained with membrane chicken brain fractions, the animal model and tissue in which neuropathy target esterase (NTE) was first described. Data were analyzed using a kinetic model with a multienzymatic system in which inhibition, simultaneous chemical hydrolysis of the inhibitor and "ongoing inhibition" (inhibition during the substrate reaction) were considered. Three main esterase components were discriminated: two sensitive enzymatic entities representing 44 and 41 %, with I 50 (20 min) of 35 and 198 μM at 37 °C, respectively, and a resistant fraction of 15 % of activity. The estimated constant of the chemical hydrolysis of PMSF was also calculated (kh = 0.28 min(-1)). Four esterase components were globally identified considering also previously data with paraoxon and mipafox: EPα (4-8 %), highly sensitive to paraoxon and mipafox, spontaneously reactivates after inhibition with paraoxon, and resistant to PMSF; EPβ (38-41 %), sensitive to paraoxon and PMSF, but practically resistant to mipafox, this esterase component has the kinetic characteristics expected for the PMSF potentiator target, even though paraoxon cannot be a potentiator in vivo due to high AChE inhibition; EPγ (NTE) (39-48 %), paraoxon-resistant and sensitive to the micromolar concentration of mipafox and PMSF; and EPδ (10 %), resistant to all the inhibitors assayed. This kinetic characterization study is needed for further isolation and molecular characterization studies, and these PMSF phenyl valerate esterase components will have to be considered in further studies of OPIDN promotion. A simple test for monitoring the four esterase components is proposed.

CREB Is Required for cAMP/PKA Signals Upregulating Neuropathy Target Esterase Expression

Neuropathy target esterase (NTE), which has been proposed as the primary target of organophosphorus compounds that cause delayed neuropathy with degeneration of nerve axons, is expressed primarily in neural cells but is also detected in non-neural cells. However, little is known about the regulation of NTE gene in cells. We found that a cyclic-AMP (cAMP)-response element (CRE) exists in the 5' flanking sequence of NTE gene in HeLa cells, which implies that NTE may be regulated by the transcription factor cAMP-response element-binding protein (CREB). In the study, knockdown of CREB decreased the protein and mRNA levels of NTE and inhibited the upregulation by cAMP/PKA signaling. Moreover, we observed that knockdown of CREB significantly decreased luciferase activity of the NTE gene promoter, while it had no effect on that of the CREB binding sites of mutated NTE gene promoter and truncated NTE gene promoter lacking the CREB binding site. cAMP/PKA signals could increase NTE reporter gene activity, while knockdown of CREB inhibited the increase. We found that the transcription factor CREB can bind to the promoter sequence of NTE by chromatin immunoprecipitation. In conclusion, we provided evidence that CREB is required for cAMP/PKA signals upregulating NTE expression in HeLa cells.

Association of sick building syndrome with neuropathy target esterase (NTE) activity in Japanese

Sick building syndrome (SBS) is a set of several clinically recognizable symptoms reported by occupants of a building without a clear cause. Neuropathy target esterase (NTE) is a membrane bound serine esterase and its reaction with organophosphates (OPs) can lead to OP-induced delayed neuropathy (OPIDN) and nerve axon degeneration. The aim of our study was to determine whether there was a difference in NTE activity in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of Japanese patients with SBS and healthy controls and whether PNPLA6 (alias NTE) gene polymorphisms were associated with SBS. We found that the enzymatic activity of NTE was significantly higher (P < 0.0005) in SBS patients compared with controls. Moreover, population with an AA genotype of a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), rs480208, in intron 21 of the PNPLA6 gene strongly reduced the activity of NTE. Fifty-eight SNP markers within the PNPLA6 gene were tested for association in a case-control study of 188 affected individuals and 401 age-matched controls. Only one SNP, rs480208, was statistically different in genotype distribution (P = 0.005) and allele frequency (P = 0.006) between the cases and controls (uncorrected for testing multiple SNP sites), but these were not significant by multiple corrections. The findings of the association between the enzymatic activity of NTE and SBS in Japanese show for the first time that NTE activity might be involved with SBS.

Subchronic neurotoxicity of chlorpyrifos, carbaryl, and their combination in rats

Anticholinesterase pesticides have been widely used in agricultural and domestic settings and can be detected in the environment after long-term use. Although the acute toxic effects of chlorpyrifos and carbaryl have been well described, little is known about the chronic toxicity of the pesticides mixture. To investigate their chronic neurotoxicity, Wistar rats were exposed to chlorpyrifos, carbaryl, and their mixture (MIX) for 90 consecutive days. The activities of serum cholinesterase (ChE) as well as acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and neuropathy target esterase (NTE) in nerve tissues were determined. Furthermore, the histopathological examination was carried out. The results showed that ChE activity significantly decreased in all treated rats except the rats treated with low dose carbaryl. Treatment with middle- and high-dose chlorpyrifos and MIX in rats significantly inhibited AChE activity in the central nervous tissues, whereas treatment with carbaryl alone did not. In sciatic nerve, AChE activity was significantly inhibited by high-dose carbaryl and MIX, but not by chlorpyrifos alone. No significant NTE inhibition was observed in all treatment groups. Histopathological examination revealed that both chlorpyrifos and MIX treatment induced hippocampal damage. However, no obvious hippocampal damage was found in carbaryl-treated rats. Carbaryl and MIX, but not chlorpyrifos alone, induced pathological damage of sciatic nerve. Taken together, all of the results indicated that chlorpyrifos and carbaryl have different toxicological target tissues in nervous system and showed corresponding effects in the nervous tissues, which may reflect the different sensitivity of central and peripheral nervous tissues to different pesticides individually and in combination.

A layer-by-layer tyrosinase biosensor for assay of carboxylesterase and neuropathy target esterase activities in blood

A tyrosinase-based phenol biosensor was formed via layer-by-layer (LBL) deposition of poly(dimethyldiallylammonium chloride) (PDDA) and tyrosinase onto polished graphite, followed by glutaraldehyde (GA) crosslinking. The PDDA/tyrosinase/GA graphite-substrate biosensor exhibited good reproducibility (6% relative SD for 1 × 10−5 M phenol, n = 10) and high sensitivity (6 nM detection limit, S/N = 3). The low detection limit enabled phenol measurements in highly diluted blood samples, which also minimized interference from extraneous (non-analyte) substances in blood (e.g., adrenaline, ascorbate, glucose, L-tyrosine, and urate). Applicability of the biosensor to analysis of carboxylesterase (CaE) and neuropathy target esterase (NTE) activities in mouse and human blood was demonstrated, and parallel biosensor and spectrophotometric CaE analyses were carried out 1 h after intraperitoneal injection of mice with the model dialkylphosphate, (C2H5O)2P(O)OCH(CF3)2 (DEHFPP). Dose-related inhibition of CaE activity was observed, yielding ED50 values [mean (95% CI) (n)] of 25.5 (23.2, 28.0) mg kg−1 (6) and 21.1 mg kg−1 (18.9, 23.5) (4) for spectrophotometric and electrochemical assays, respectively. Although the ED50 values were significantly different from each other (p < 0.007), excellent correlation between biosensor and spectrophotometric measurements was found (r = 0.99), indicating that the differences between the two methods are systematic and providing validation of the biosensor assay.

Chlorpyrifos and its metabolites alter gene expression at non-cytotoxic concentrations in D3 mouse embryonic stem cells under in vitro differentiation: Considerations for embryotoxic risk assessment

The effects of organophosphate insecticide chlorpyrifos (CPF) on development are currently under discussion. CPF and its metabolites, chlorpyrifos-oxon (CPO) and 3,5,6-trichloro-2-pyridinol (TClP), were more cytotoxic for D3 mouse embryonic stem cells than for differentiated fibroblasts 3T3 cells. Exposure to 10μM CPF and TClP and 100μM CPO for 12h significantly altered the in vitro expression of biomarkers of differentiation in D3 cells. Similarly, exposure to 20μM CPF and 25μM CPO and TClP for 3 days also altered the expression of the biomarkers in the same model. These exposures caused no significant reduction in D3 viability with mild inhibition of acetylcholinesterase and neuropathy target esterase by CPF and severe inhibition by CPO. We conclude that certain in vivo exposure scenarios are possible, which cause inhibition of acetylcholinesterase but without clinical symptoms that reach high enough systemic CPF concentrations able to alter the expression of genes involved in cellular differentiation with potentially hazard effects on development. Conversely, the risk for embryotoxicity by CPO and TClP was very low because the required exposure would induce severe cholinergic syndrome.

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.

Interactions of neuropathy inducers and potentiators/promoters with soluble esterases

Organophosphorus compounds (OPs) cause neurotoxic disorders through interactions with well-known target esterases, such as acetylcholinesterase and neuropathy target esterase (NTE). However, the OPs can potentially interact with other esterases of unknown significance. Therefore, identifying, characterizing and elucidating the nature and functional significance of the OP-sensitive pool of esterases in the central and peripheral nervous systems need to be investigated. Kinetic models have been developed and applied by considering multi-enzymatic systems, inhibition, spontaneous reactivation, the chemical hydrolysis of the inhibitor and “ongoing inhibition” (inhibition during the substrate reaction time). These models have been applied to discriminate enzymatic components among the esterases in nerve tissues of adult chicken, this being the experimental model for delayed neuropathy and to identify different modes of interactions between OPs and soluble brain esterases. The covalent interaction with the substrate catalytic site has been demonstrated by time-progressive inhibition during ongoing inhibition. The interaction of sequential exposure to an esterase inhibitor has been tested in brain soluble fraction where exposure to one inhibitor at a non inhibitory concentration has been seen to modify sensitivity to further exposure to others. The effect has been suggested to be caused by interaction with sites other than the inhibition site at the substrate catalytic site. This kind of interaction among esterase inhibitors should be considered to study the potentiation/promotion phenomenon, which is observed when some esterase inhibitors enhance the severity of the OP induced neuropathy if they are dosed after a non neuropathic low dose of a neuropathy inducer.

Organophosphorus compound esterase profiles as predictors of therapeutic and toxic effects

Certain organophosphorus compounds (OPCs) inhibit various serine esterases (EOHs) via phosphorylation of their active site serines. We focused on 4 EOHs of particular toxicological interest: acetylcholinesterase (AChE: acute neurotoxicity; cognition enhancement), butyrylcholinesterase (BChE: inhibition of drug metabolism and/or stoichiometric scavenging of EOH inhibitors; cognition enhancement), carboxylesterase (CaE: inhibition of drug metabolism and/or stoichiometric scavenging of EOH inhibitors), and neuropathy target esterase (NTE: delayed neurotoxicity, OPIDN). The relative degree of inhibition of these EOHs constitutes the “esterase profile” of an OPC and serves as a major determinant of its net physiological effects. Thus, understanding and controlling the esterase profile of OPC activity and selectivity toward these 4 target enzymes is a significant undertaking. In the present study, we analyzed the inhibitor properties of 52 OPCs against the 4 EOHs, along with pairwise and multitarget selectivities between them, using 2 QSAR approaches: Hansch modeling and Molecular Field Topology Analysis (MFTA). The general formula of the OPCs was (RO)2P(O)X, where R=alkyl, X=– SCH(Hal)COOEt (Hal=Cl, Br), –SCHCl2, –SCH2Br, –OCH(CF3)R1 (R1=C6H5, CF3, COOEt, COOMe). The Hansch model showed that increasing neuropathic potential correlated with rising R hydrophobicity; moreover, OPC binding to scavenger EOHs (BChE and CaE) had different effects on potential acute and delayed neurotoxicity. Predicted protective roles of BChE and CaE against acute toxicity were enhanced with increasing hydrophobicity, but projected protection against OPIDN was decreased. Next, Molecular Field Topology Analysis (MFTA) models were built, considering atomic descriptors, e.g., effective charge, van der Waals radius of environment, and group lipophilicity. Activity/selectivity maps confirmed predictions from Hansch models and revealed other structural factors affecting activity and selectivity. Virtual screening based on multitarget selectivity MFTA models was used to design libraries of OPCs with favorable esterase profiles for potential application as selective inhibitors of CaE without untoward side effects.

Identifying safer anti-wear triaryl phosphate additives for jet engine lubricants

Individuals aboard jet aircraft may be exposed to potentially toxic triaryl organophosphate anti-wear lubricant additives (TAPs) that are converted by cytochromes P450 into toxic metabolites. Consequences of exposure could be reduced by using less toxic TAPs. Our goal was to determine whether an in vitro assay for inhibition of butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) by bioactivated TAPs would be predictive of inhibition of serine active-site enzymes in vivo. The in vitro assay involved TAP bioactivation with liver microsomes and NADPH, followed by incubation with human BChE and measurement of BChE activity. Of 19 TAPs tested, tert-butylated isomers produced the least BChE inhibition. To determine the relevance of these results in vivo, mice were exposed to Durad 125 (D125; a commercial mixture of TAP esters) or to TAPs demonstrating low or no BChE inhibition when assayed in vitro. Inhibition of BChE by bioactivated TAPs in vitro correlated well with inhibition of other serine active-site enzymes in vivo, with the exception of brain acetylcholinesterase and neuropathy target esterase (NTE), which were not inhibited by any TAP tested following single exposures. A recombinant catalytic domain of NTE (rNEST) exhibited classical kinetic properties of NTE. The metabolite of tri-(o-cresyl) phosphate (ToCP), 2-(o-cresyl)-4H-1,3,2-benzodioxaphosphoran-2-one (CBDP), inhibited rNEST in vitro, but with an IC50 value almost 6-times higher than for inhibition of BChE. Physiologically-relevant concentrations of the flavonoid naringenin dramatically reduced D125 bioconversion in vitro. The in vitro assay should provide a valuable tool for prescreening candidate TAP anti-wear additives, identifying safer additives and reducing the number of animals required for in vivo toxicity testing.

ChemInform Abstract: Dialkyl (1‐Ethoxycarbonyl‐2,2,2‐trifluoro‐1‐phenylsulfonylaminoethyl) phosphonates.

AbstractNovel fluorinated α‐amino phosphonates (III) are synthesized.

Biochemical, histopathological and clinical evaluation of delayed effects caused by methamidophos isoforms and TOCP in hens: Ameliorative effects using control of calcium homeostasis

This work evaluated the potential of the isoforms of methamidophos to cause organophosphorus-induced delayed neuropathy (OPIDN) in hens. In addition to inhibition of neuropathy target esterase (NTE) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE), calpain activation, spinal cord lesions and clinical signs were assessed. The isoforms (+)-, (±)- and (−)-methamidophos were administered at 50mg/kg orally; tri-ortho-cresyl phosphate (TOCP) was administered (500mg/kg, po) as positive control for delayed neuropathy. The TOCP hens showed greater than 80% and approximately 20% inhibition of NTE and AChE in hen brain, respectively. Among the isoforms of methamidophos, only the (+)-methamidophos was capable of inhibiting NTE activity (approximately 60%) with statistically significant difference compared to the control group. Calpain activity in brain increased by 40% in TOCP hens compared to the control group when measured 24h after dosing and remained high (18% over control) 21 days after dosing. Hens that received (+)-methamidophos had calpain activity 12% greater than controls. The histopathological findings and clinical signs corroborated the biochemical results that indicated the potential of the (+)-methamidophos to be the isoform responsible for OPIDN induction. Protection against OPIDN was examined using a treatment of 2 doses of nimodipine (1mg/kg, i.m.) and one dose of calcium gluconate (5mg/kg, i.v.). The treatment decreased the effect of OPIDN-inducing TOCP and (+)-methamidophos on calpain activity, spinal cord lesions and clinical signs.

Disorders of phospholipids, sphingolipids and fatty acids biosynthesis: toward a new category of inherited metabolic diseases

We wish to delineate a novel, and rapidly expanding, group of inborn errors of metabolism with neurological/muscular presentations: the defects in phospholipids, sphingolipids and long chain fatty acids biosynthesis. At least 14 disorders have been described so far. Clinical presentations are diverse but can be divided into (1) diseases of the central nervous system; (2) peripheral neuropathies; and (3) muscular/cardiac presentations. (1) Leukodystrophy and/or iron deposits in basal ganglia is a common feature of phospholipase A2 deficiency, fatty acid hydroxylase deficiency, and pantothenate kinase-associated neurodegeneration. Infantile epilepsy has been reported in GM3 synthetase deficiency. Spastic quadriplegia with ichthyosis and intellectual disability are the presenting signs of the elongase 4 deficiency and the Sjogren-Larsson syndrome caused by fatty aldehyde dehydrogenase deficiency. Spastic paraplegia and muscle wasting are also seen in patients with mutations in the neuropathy target esterase gene. (2) Peripheral neuropathy is a prominent feature in PHARC syndrome due to α/β-hydrolase 12 deficiency, and in hereditary sensory autonomic neuropathy type I due to serine palmitoyl-CoA transferase deficiency. (3) Muscular/cardiac presentations include recurrent myoglobinuria in phosphatidate phosphatase 1 (Lipin1) deficiency; cardiomyopathy and multivisceral involvement in Barth syndrome secondary to tafazzin mutations; congenital muscular dystrophy due to choline kinase deficiency, Sengers syndrome due to acylglycerol kinase deficiency and Chanarin Dorfman syndrome due to α/β- hydrolase 5 deficiency. These synthesis defects of complex lipid molecules stand at the frontier between classical inborn errors of metabolism and other genetic diseases involving the metabolism of structural proteins.