Application of laccase-mediator system (LMS) for the degradation of organophosphorus compounds.

Degradation of organophosphorus compounds was achieved in the presence of purified fungal laccase from Trametes versicolor and a small molecular weight redox mediator (ABTS). This laccase-mediator system (LMS) catalyzed degradation of VX, PhX and VR while had no apparent effect on CVX, ecothiophate or demeton. Inhibition of ABTS oxidation was shown with VX, PhX, VR and CVX.

Mechanism of hydrolysis of dicholine esters with long polymethylene chain by human butyrylcholinesterase.

Human butyrylcholinesterase hydrolyzes long chain dicholine esters more rapidly than short chain dicholine esters. The active site of butyrylcholinesterase is deeply buried within the enzyme molecule and there is limited space for binding of large compounds. Our goal was to understand how butyrylcholinesterase accommodates long chain dicholine esters to make them better substrates than short chain dicholine esters.