Characterization of Drosophila CMP-sialic acid synthetase activity reveals unusual enzymatic properties.

CMP-sialic acid synthetase (CSAS) is a key enzyme of the sialylation pathway. CSAS produces the activated sugar donor, CMP-sialic acid, which serves as a substrate for sialyltransferases to modify glycan termini with sialic acid. Unlike other animal CSASs that normally localize in the nucleus, Drosophila melanogaster CSAS (DmCSAS) localizes in the cell secretory compartment, predominantly in the Golgi, which suggests that this enzyme has properties distinct from those of its vertebrate counterparts.

Improved pharmacokinetics and immunogenicity profile of organophosphorus hydrolase by chemical modification with polyethylene glycol.

A catalytic bioscavenger with broad substrate specificity for the therapeutic and prophylactic defense against recognized chemical threat agents has been a long standing objective of civilian and military research. A catalytic bioscavenger utilizing the bacterial enzyme organophosphorus hydrolase (OPH) is characterized in these studies, and has potential application for both military and civilian personnel in threat scenarios involving either nerve agents or OP pesticides. The present study examines the effects of PEGylation on the biochemical and pharmacological characteristics of OPH.