Immobilized biocatalysts for detoxification of neurotoxic organophosphorous compounds

Abstract

New biocatalysts were developed using organophosphorus hydrolase (OPH, EC 3.1.8.1) with a polyhistidine tag at the N-terminus of the protein (His6-OPH). The use of His6-OPH together with previously developed approaches for the entrapment of cells into poly(vinyl alcohol) cryogels and covalent immobilization of enzymes into porous fabric materials, impregnated with chemically cross-linked chitosan sulphate gel, enabled dramatic improvement of catalytic characteristics against various organophosphorous compounds (OPCs; Paraoxon, Coumaphos, Methyl parathion, etc.). The polyhistidine tag of OPH was used to create a new immobilized biocatalyst using metal-chelating carriers, such as Ni2+-nitrilotriacetic acid-agarose and Co2+-iminodiacetic acid-polyacrylamide cryogel. The latter biocatalyst had high activity and stability for the continuous hydrolysis of OPCs.