Russian VX Research Articles

Evaluation de l’efficacité thérapeutique du diméthane sulfonate d’HI-6 lors d’une intoxication par le VX russe (VR), chez le macaque cynomolgues

Dans les armées françaises, le traitement d’urgence des intoxications par les neurotoxiques organophosphorés est l’oxime méthylsulfate de pralidoxime (Contrathion ®) associée, dans un autoinjecteur bicompartimenté (AIBC, Ineurope ®), au sulfate d’atropine et au chlorhydrate d’avizafone. Le méthylsulfate de pralidoxime ne permet pas la réactivation des cholinestérases inhibées par certains agents neurotoxiques tel que le VX Russe (VR). Nous avons donc évalué l’efficacité d’une autre oxime, le diméthane sulfonate d’HI-6 (HI-6-DMS), face à des doses croissantes de VR. L’utilisation de primates non humains ayant été demandée par l’Agence nationale de sécurité du médicament en raison de la forte variabilité inter-espèces de l’efficacité des oximes, nous avons choisi le cynomolgus pour lequel des données expérimentales étaient déjà disponibles. Une meilleure efficacité de l’AIBC contenant l’HI-6-DMS a été clairement mise en évidence : jusqu’à au moins 5 DL50 de VR, l’HI-6-DMS combiné à l’atropine et à l’avizafone, administrés rapidement après l’apparition des signes cliniques a permis d’éviter le décès et d’améliorer la récupération des animaux intoxiqués.

Investigation of stability and composition of the conversion products of Russian poisonous substance VX in aqueous media

The data on properties and existence forms of Russian poisonous substance VX (RVX) in environmental objects are presented. Hydrolysis of RVX with excessive amount of water in acidic medium as well as autocatalytic hydrolysis with equimolar amount of water were investigated. It was shown that in the first case destruction of RVX proceeded slower with more diverse composition of the products.

'Dilute-and-shoot' RSLC-MS-MS method for fast detection of nerve and vesicant chemical warfare agent metabolites in urine.

A sensitive screening method based on fast liquid chromatography tandem mass-spectrometry (RSLC-MS-MS) has shown the feasibility of separation and detection of low concentration β-lyase metabolites of sulfur mustard and of nerve agent phosphonic acids in urine. The analysis of these compounds is of interest because they are specific metabolites of the chemical warfare agents (CWAs), sulfur mustard (HD), sarin (GB), soman (GD), VX and Russian VX (RVX). The 'dilute-and-shoot' RSLC-MS-MS method provides a sensitive and direct approach for determining CWA exposure in non-extracted non-derivatized samples from urine. Chromatographic separation of the metabolites was achieved using a reverse phase column with gradient mobile phases consisting of 0.5% formic acid in water and acetonitrile. Identification and quantification of species were achieved using electrospray ionization-tandem mass-spectrometry monitoring two precursor-to-product ion transitions for each compound. The method demonstrates linearity over at least two orders of magnitude and had detection limits of 0.5 ng/mL in urine.

Determination of trace amounts of Russian toxic agent VX

Method was developed for detection of residual amounts of Russian toxic agent RVX on metallic surface. The method is based on RVX conversion into O-isobutyl ester of methylphosphonic acid fluoride on a filter impregnated with silver fluoride, followed by detection of the formed derivative using a flame photometer. The method sensitivity has been enhanced by application of a large volume injection (0.20 mL). The method allows determination of RVX levels corresponding to the sanitary regulations and is intended for control measures at the toxic agents elimination establishments and for determination of the Danger grade of metallic waste.

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.

Acute toxicity of some nerve agents and pesticides in rats

Objectives: Highly toxic organophosphorus compounds (V- and G-nerve agents) were originally synthesized for warfare or as agricultural pesticides. Data on their acute toxicity are rare and patchy. Therefore, there is a need for integrated summary comparing acute toxicity of organophosphates using different administration routes in the same animal model with the same methodology. Based on original data, a summary of in vivo acute toxicity of selected V- and G-nerve agents (tabun, sarin, soman, VX, Russian VX) and organophosphates paraoxon (POX) and diisopropyl fluorophosphate (DFP) in rats has been investigated. Materials and methods: Male Wistar rats were exposed to organophosphates in several administration routes (i.m., i.p., p.o, s.c., p.c.). The acute toxicity was evaluated by the assessment of median lethal dose (LD50, mg kg−1) 2, 4, and 24 hours post exposure. Results: V-agents were the most toxic presented with LD50 ranged from 0.0082 mg kg−1 (VX, i.m.) to 1.402 mg kg−1 (Russian VX, p.o.), followed by G-agents (LD50 = 0.069 mg kg−1/soman, i.m./ – 117.9 mg kg−1/sarin, p.c./), organophosphate POX and DFP (LD50 = 0.321 mg kg−1/POX, i.m./ – 420 mg kg−1/DFP, p.c./). Generally, i.m. administration was the most toxic throughout all tested agents and ways of administration (LD50 = 0.0082 mg kg−1/VX/ – 1.399 mg kg−1/DFP/) whereas p.c. way was responsible for lowest acute toxicity (LD50 = 0.085 mg kg−1/VX/ – 420 mg kg−1/DFP/). Conclusion: The acute toxicity of selected organophosphorus compounds is summarized throughout this study. Although the data assessed in rats are rather illustrative prediction for human, it presents a valuable contribution, indicating the toxic potential and harmfulness of organophosphates.

Quantitation of five organophosphorus nerve agent metabolites in serum using hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry

Although nerve agent use is prohibited, concerns remain for human exposure to nerve agents during decommissioning, research, and warfare. Exposure can be detected through the analysis of hydrolysis products in urine as well as blood. An analytical method to detect exposure to five nerve agents, including VX, VR (Russian VX), GB (sarin), GD (soman), and GF (cyclosarin), through the analysis of the hydrolysis products, which are the primary metabolites, in serum has been developed and characterized. This method uses solid-phase extraction coupled with high-performance liquid chromatography for separation and isotopic dilution tandem mass spectrometry for detection. An uncommon buffer of ammonium fluoride was used to enhance ionization and improve sensitivity when coupled with hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography resulting in detection limits from 0.3 to 0.5 ng/mL. The assessment of two quality control samples demonstrated high accuracy (101-105%) and high precision (5-8%) for the detection of these five nerve agent hydrolysis products in serum.

In vitro and in vivo genotoxicity assessment of HI-6 dimethanesulfonate/oxime

Organophosphate compounds, which induce organophosphate poisoning, were originally used as pesticides. But this type of product has also been used as warfare nerve agent like sarin, soman, Russian VX, or tabun. HI-6-dimethanesulfonate is a salt of the oxime HI-6 used in the treatment of nerve-agent poisoning. It is known to be the best re-activator component of inactivated acetyl cholinesterase. HI-6-dimethanesulfonate has shown a higher level of solubility with similar potency to reactivate acetyl cholinesterase and a similar pharmacokinetics profile compared with HI-6 dichloride. HI-6 dimethanesulfonate was tested for its mutagenic and genotoxic potential by use of the standard ICH S2R (1) battery for the evaluation of pharmaceuticals. HI-6-dimethanesulfonate was mutagenic in the Ames test only in the presence of metabolic activation. In the mutation assay at the Tk locus in L5178Y mouse-lymphoma cells, HI-6-dimethanesulfonate showed mutagenic activity both with and without metabolic activation, with a significant increase in small colonies. The effects were in favour of a clastogenic activity. It was concluded that the compound was mutagenic and possibly clastogenic in vitro. In contrast, the in vivo micronucleus test in rat bone-marrow did not demonstrate any genotoxic activity and the Comet assay performed in rat liver did not show any statistically or biologically significant increases in DNA strand-breaks. The results of both in vivo studies performed on two different organs with two endpoints are sufficient to conclude the absence of a genotoxic hazard in vivo and to consider that there is no genotoxic concern in humans for HI-6-dimethanesulfonate.

Mechanism of Suppression of Phagocytic and Metabolic Activity of Neutrophils and Production of Proinflammatory Cytokines during Chronic Poisoning with Organophosphorus Compounds

Experiments on albino outbred rats showed that chronic poisoning with organophosphorus compounds (Russian VX, and sarin) for 30 days in a total dose of 0.3 DL50 (0.01 DL50 daily) is followed by a decrease in phagocytic and metabolic activity of neutrophils. The reduction of functional activity of monocyte phagocytic system was stipulated by the stimulation of N-cholinergic receptors of these cells. These changes were accompanied by a decrease in blood concentration of proinflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6).

Comparison of high‐resolution and tandem mass spectrometry for the analysis of nerve agent metabolites in urine

Although use is prohibited, concerns remain for human exposure to nerve agents during decommissioning, research, and warfare. High-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) was compared to tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) analysis for the quantitation of five urinary metabolites specific to VX, Russian VX, soman, sarin and cyclosarin nerve agents. The HRMS method was further evaluated for qualitative screening of metabolites not included in the test panel. Nerve agent metabolites were extracted from urine using solid-phase extraction, separated using hydrophilic interaction chromatography and analyzed using both tandem and high-resolution mass spectrometry. MS/MS results were obtained using selected reaction monitoring with unit resolution; HRMS results were obtained using a mass extraction window of 10 ppm at a mass resolution of 50 000. The benchtop Orbitrap HRMS instrument was operated in full scan mode, to measure the presence of unexpected nerve agent metabolites. The assessment of two quality control samples demonstrated high accuracy (99.5-104%) and high precision (2-9%) for both HRMS and MS/MS. Sensitivity, as described by the limit of detection, was overlapping for both detectors (0.2-0.7 ng/mL). Additionally, the HRMS method positively confirmed the presence of a nerve agent metabolite, not included in the test panel, using the accurate mass and relative retention time. The precision, accuracy, and sensitivity were comparable between the current MS/MS method and this newly developed HRMS analysis for five nerve agent metabolites. HRMS showed additional capabilities beyond the current method by confirming the presence of a metabolite not included in the test panel.

Catalytic-site conformational equilibrium in nerve-agent adducts of acetylcholinesterase: Possible implications for the HI-6 antidote substrate specificity

Nerve agents such as tabun, cyclosarin and Russian VX inhibit the essential enzyme acetylcholinesterase (AChE) by organophosphorylating the catalytic serine residue. Nucleophiles, such as oximes, are used as antidotes as they can reactivate and restore the function of the inhibited enzyme. The oxime HI-6 shows a notably low activity on tabun adducts but can effectively reactivate adducts of cyclosarin and Russian VX. To examine the structural basis for the pronounced substrate specificity of HI-6, we determined the binary crystal structures of Mus musculus AChE (mAChE) conjugated by cyclosarin and Russian VX and found a conformational mobility of the side chains of Phe338 and His447. The interaction between HI-6 and tabun-adducts of AChE were subsequently investigated using a combination of time resolved fluorescence spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography. Our findings show that HI-6 binds to tabun inhibited Homo sapiens AChE (hAChE) with an IC50 value of 300μM and suggest that the reactive nucleophilic moiety of HI-6 is excluded from the phosphorus atom of tabun. We propose that a conformational mobility of the side-chains of Phe338 and His447 is a common feature in nerve-agent adducts of AChE. We also suggest that the conformational mobility allow HI-6 to reactivate conjugates of cyclosarin and Russian VX while a reduced mobility in tabun conjugated AChE results in steric hindrance that prevents efficient reactivation.

Анализ химического состава продуктов разложения российского вещества VX в условиях каталитического метанолиза

Analytical platform for the testing new decontaminating formulations, involving identification of toxic destruction products and determination of the depth of decontamination under conditions mimicking real decontamination scenarios, was developed. The possibility of application of catalytic methanolysis for destruction of a highly toxic compound О -isobutyl S -[2-( N,N -diethylamino)ethyl] methylphosphonothioate referred to Russian VX (hereinafter, RVX) in homogeneous and heterogeneous reaction media are studied. Conditions for extraction of residual RVX from the reaction mixture, as well as GC−MS analysis of RVX were found and optimized. Destruction products of RVX, formed by its La-catalyzed methanolysis were identified. Efficiency of the catalytic formulation for decontamination of RVX-contaminated plastic surfaces was studied. The obtained results provide evidence for a high efficiency of the catalytic methanolysis for chemical neutralization of RVX and allow this process to be recommended for decontamination of engineering equipment. Key words: toxic organophosphorus compounds, VX-group compounds, catalytic methanolysis, gas chromatography−mass spectrometry, decontamination (Russian) L.K. Gustyleva, E.I. Savel’eva, N.S. Khlebnikova, A.S. Radilov Research Institute of Hygiene, Occupational Pathology and Human Ecology Federal State Unitary Enterprise Federal Medical Biological Agency, p/o Kus’molovsky, Leningrad Region, Russian Federation

A High-Throughput Diagnostic Method for Measuring Human Exposure to Organophosphorus Nerve Agents

An automated high-throughput immunomagnetic separation (IMS) method for diagnosing exposure to the organophosphorus nerve agents (OPNAs) sarin (GB), cyclohexylsarin (GF), VX, and Russian VX (RVX) was developed to increase sample processing capacity for emergency response applications. Diagnosis of exposure to OPNAs was based on the formation of OPNA adducts to butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE). Data reported with this method represent a ratio of the agent-specific BuChE adduct concentration, relative to the total BuChE peptide concentration that provides a nonactivity measurement expressed as percent adducted. All magnetic bead transfer steps and washes were performed using instrumentation in a 96-well format allowing for simultaneous extraction of 86 clinical samples plus reference materials. Automating extractions increased sample throughput 50-fold, as compared to a previously reported manual method. The limits of detection, determined using synthetic peptides, were 1 ng/mL for unadducted BuChE and GB-, GF-, VX-, and RVX-adducted BuChE. The automated method was characterized using unexposed serum and serum pools exposed to GB, GF, VX, or RVX. Variation for the measurement of percent adducted was <12% for all characterized quality control serum pools. Twenty-six (26) serum samples from individuals asymptomatic for cholinesterase inhibitor exposure were analyzed using this method, and no background levels of OPNA exposure were observed. Unexposed BuChE serum concentrations measured using this method ranged from 2.8 μg/mL to 10.6 μg/mL, with an average concentration of 6.4 μg/mL.

Rapid screening of chemical warfare nerve agent metabolites in urine by atmospheric solids analysis probe‐mass spectroscopy (ASAP‐MS)

Exposures to organophosphorus nerve agents (OPNA) remain a threat to both civilian and military populations. Verification of exposures typically involves determinations of urinary metabolites or adducted proteins in blood. Urinary alkyl methylphosphonic acid metabolites resulting from hydrolysis of OPNAs provide a convenient marker for OPNA exposure. In a military setting, urine is a relatively easy sample to obtain, and a rapid turnaround for analyses for the identification of metabolites is critical for field commanders. Timely information on use and identity of OPNAs facilitates decisions regarding employment of personal protective equipment and additional strategies to mitigate additional exposure(s). Herein, we report the development of a rapid mass spectrometric (MS) method to identify OPNA metabolites directly from urine with no sample preparation. Synthetic urine spiked with multiple OPNA metabolites was analyzed using an atmospheric solids analysis probe (ASAP) attached to a high resolution mass spectrometer. The alkyl methylphosphonic acid metabolites resulting from hydrolysis of sarin, cyclosarin, soman, and Russian VX were clearly detectable down to a level of 1.0 ng/ml. The ability to rapidly detect OPNA metabolites in unprepared urine allows for the design of a field-deployable device that could afford field personnel the ability to rapidly screen individuals for specific OPNA exposure. In addition, this provides proof-of-concept evidence that a fieldable ASAP-MS device could afford personnel the ability to rapidly detect OPNAs on skin, equipment, and other porous surfaces. Published 2012. This article is a US Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.

Microplate biochemical determination of Russian VX: Influence of admixtures and avoidance of false negative results

Two microplate spectroscopic methods for determination of organophosphates, based on inhibition of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity, were further improved and evaluated for determination of the chemical weapon agent Russian VX (RVX) in aqueous solutions. The linear range of the Hestrin method (74.8–1120pM) was 3.1-fold wider than that of the Ellman method (37.4–374pM). Limits of detection and quantification of RVX for both methods were below the maximal allowable concentration of RVX in water-soluble washouts. One of the early products of RVX hydrolysis, N,N-diethylaminoethanethiol, like reduced glutathione, caused false negative results in the Ellman method at concentrations exceeding 10μM; individual blanks were necessary to eliminate the effect. The Hestrin method showed greater specificity (∼3 orders of magnitude) for analysis of samples containing mercaptans. A major product of RVX degradation, 2,2′-dithiobis(N,N-diethylethanamine), caused significant inhibition of AChE at concentrations of ⩾0.1mM (P<0.01) and had a false positive effect at higher concentrations (⩾2mM). For environmental monitoring of RVX, the method based on Hestrin is preferred over that based on Ellman, principally because the former method was less sensitive to interference from major admixtures and did not give rise to potentially dangerous false negative results.

Determination of S-2-(N,N-diisopropylaminoethyl)- and S-2-(N,N-diethylaminoethyl) methylphosphonothiolate, nerve agent markers, in water samples using strong anion-exchange disk extraction, in vial trimethylsilylation, and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry analysis

Since the establishment of the Chemical Weapons Convention in 1997, the development of analytical methods for unambiguous identification of large numbers of chemicals related to chemical warfare agents has attracted increased interest. The analytically challenging, zwitterionic S-2-(N,N-diisopropylaminoethyl) methylphosphonothiolate (EA-2192), a highly toxic degradation marker of the nerve agent VX, has been reported to resist trimethylsilylation or to result in an unacceptably high limit of detection in GC–MS analysis. In the present study, the problem is demonstrated to be associated with the presence of salt, which hinders trimethysilylation. EA-2192 was extracted from aqueous samples by use of a strong anion-exchange disk, derivatized as a trimethylsilyl derivative via in vial solid-phase trimethylsilylation and identified by GC–MS. The limits of detection were 10ng/mL and 100ng/mL (in a water sample) for SIM and SCAN mode respectively. The analytical method was found to be repeatable with relative standard deviation <10%. The performance of the method was evaluated using a proficiency test sample and environmental samples (spiked river water and Baltic Bay water) and compared with the commonly used evaporation–silylation method. The disk method displayed good tolerance to the presence of salt and the spiked EA-2192 was conclusively identified in all matrices. In addition, the applicability of the method was further demonstrated for other selected hydrolysis products of VX and Russian VX, namely S-2-(N,N-diethylaminoethyl) methylphosphonothiolate, ethyl methylphosphonic acid, methylphosphonic acid, and isobutyl methylphosphonic acid. For the synthesis of reference compounds, EA-2192 and its analog from degradation of the Russian VX isomer, the present methods were improved by using a polymer-bound base, resulting in >90% purity based on 1H NMR. Based on the current results and earlier work on alkylphosphonic acids using the same method, we conclude that the method is a viable choice for the simultaneous determination of a wide range of degradation products of nerve agents – zwitterionic, monoacid, diacid, and monothioacid chemicals – with excellent performance.

Immobilization of Russian VX skin depots by localized cooling: Implications for decontamination and medical countermeasures

The chemical weapon nerve agent known as Russian VX (VR) is a potent organophosphorus (OP) compound that is much less studied than its VX analogue with respect to toxicity, as well as to the effectiveness of several known countermeasures against it. An anaesthetized domestic swine model was utilized to assess several approaches in mitigating its toxicity, including the utility of cooling VR treated skin to increase the therapeutic window for treatment. The 6 h LD 50 for VR topically applied on the ear was 100 μg/kg. Treatment of VR exposed animals (5× LD 50) with pralidoxime (2PAM) very poorly regenerated inhibited blood cholinesterase activity, but was partially effective in preventing signs of OP poisoning and increasing survival. In contrast, treatment with the Hagedorn oxime HI-6 reactivated cholinesterase, eliminated all signs of poisoning and prevented death. Decontamination with the Reactive Skin Decontaminant Lotion (RSDL) 15 min after VR exposure was completely effective in preventing death. Cooling of the VR exposure sites for 2 or 6 h prevented signs of OP poisoning and death during the cooling period. However, these animals died very quickly after the cessation of cooling, unless they were treated with oxime or decontaminated with RSDL. Blood analyses showed that cooling of agent exposure sites delayed the entry of VR into the bloodstream. Medical treatment with HI-6 and to a lesser extent 2PAM, or decontamination with RSDL are effective in protecting against the toxic effects of cutaneous exposure to VR. Immobilizing this agent (and related compounds) within the dermal reservoir by cooling the exposure sites, dramatically increases the therapeutic window in which these medical countermeasures are effective.

Structural Study of the Complex Stereoselectivity of Human Butyrylcholinesterase for the Neurotoxic V-agents

Nerve agents are chiral organophosphate compounds (OPs) that exert their acute toxicity by phosphorylating the catalytic serine of acetylcholinesterase (AChE). The inhibited cholinesterases can be reactivated using oximes, but a spontaneous time-dependent process called aging alters the adduct, leading to resistance toward oxime reactivation. Human butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) functions as a bioscavenger, protecting the cholinergic system against OPs. The stereoselectivity of BChE is an important parameter for its efficiency at scavenging the most toxic OPs enantiomer for AChE. Crystals of BChE inhibited in solution or in cristallo with racemic V-agents (VX, Russian VX, and Chinese VX) systematically show the formation of the P(S) adduct. In this configuration, no catalysis of aging seems possible as confirmed by the three-dimensional structures of the three conjugates incubated over a period exceeding a week. Crystals of BChE soaked in optically pure VX(R)-(+) and VX(S)-(-) solutions lead to the formation of the P(S) and P(R) adduct, respectively. These structural data support an in-line phosphonylation mechanism. Additionally, they show that BChE reacts with VX(R)-(+) in the presence of racemic mixture of V-agents, at odds with earlier kinetic results showing a moderate higher inhibition rate for VX(S)-(-). These combined results suggest that the simultaneous presence of both enantiomers alters the enzyme stereoselectivity. In summary, the three-dimensional data show that BChE reacts preferentially with P(R) enantiomer of V-agents and does not age, in complete contrast to AChE, which is selectively inhibited by the P(S) enantiomer and ages.

Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) for detection and identification of albumin phosphylation by organophosphorus pesticides and G- and V-type nerve agents

Toxic organophosphorus compounds (OPC), e.g., pesticides and nerve agents (NA), are known to phosphylate distinct endogenous proteins in vivo and in vitro. OPC adducts of butyrylcholinesterase and albumin are considered to be valuable biomarkers for retrospective verification of OPC exposure. Therefore, we have detected and identified novel adducts of human serum albumin (HSA) by means of matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS). Pure albumin and plasma were incubated with numerous pesticides and NA of the V- and G-type in different molar ratios. Samples were prepared either by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis followed by in-gel enzymatic cleavage using endoproteinase Glu-C (Glu-C) or by combining highly albumin-selective affinity extraction with ultrafiltration followed by reduction, carbamidomethylation, and enzymatic cleavage (Glu-C) prior to MALDI-TOF MS analysis. Characteristic mass shifts for phosphylation revealed tyrosine adducts at Y(411) (Y(401)KFQNALLVRY(411)TKKVPQVSTPTLVE(425)), Y(148) and Y(150) (I(142)ARRHPY(148)FY(150)APE(153), single and double labeled), and Y(161) (L(154)LFFAKRY(161)KAAFTE(167)) produced by original NA (tabun, sarin, soman, cyclosarin, VX, Chinese VX, and Russian VX) as well as by chlorpyrifos-oxon, diisopropyl fluorophosphate (DFP), paraoxon-ethyl (POE), and profenofos. MALDI-MS/MS of the single-labeled I(142)-E(153) peptide demonstrated that Y(150) was phosphylated with preference to Y(148). Aged albumin adducts were not detected. The procedure described was reproducible and feasible for detection of adducts at the most reactive Y(411)-residue (S/N ≥ 3) when at least 1% of total albumin was labeled. This was achieved by incubating plasma with molar HSA/OPC ratios ranging from approximately 1:0.03 (all G-type NA, DFP, and POE) to 1:3 (V-type NA, profenofos). Relative signal intensity of the Y(411) adduct correlated well with the spotted relative molar amount underlining the usefulness for quantitative adduct determination. In conclusion, the current analytical design exhibits potential as a verification tool for high-dose exposure.

Immunomagnetic Separation and Quantification of Butyrylcholinesterase Nerve Agent Adducts in Human Serum

A novel method for extracting butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) from serum as a means of identifying and measuring nerve agent adducts to human BuChE is presented here. Antibutyrylcholinesterase monoclonal antibodies were conjugated to protein-G ferromagnetic particles and mixed with 500 microL serum samples. The particle-antibody-BuChE product was rinsed and directly digested with pepsin. Native and isotopically enriched nonapeptides corresponding to the pepsin digest products for uninhibited BuChE, and sarin, cyclohexylsarin, VX, and Russian VX nerve agent-inhibited BuChE were synthesized for use as calibrators and internal standards, respectively. Internal standards were added to the filtered digest sample, and the samples were quantified via high performance liquid chromatography-isotope dilution-tandem mass spectrometry. The ratio of adducted to total BuChE nonapeptides was calculated for each nerve agent-exposed serum sample using data collected in a single chromatogram. Nerve agent-inhibited quality control serum pools were characterized as part of method validation; the method was observed to have extremely low background noise. The measurement of both uninhibited and inhibited BuChE peptides compensated for any variations in the pepsin digestion before the internal standard peptide was added to the sample and may prove useful in individualizing patient results following a nerve agent exposure.