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Protein adduct formation between RuBisCO and V-type organophosphorus nerve agents

Qian Wang1, Jin Wang1, Hongmei Wang1

  • 1State Key Laboratory of Chemistry for NBC Hazards Protection, Beijing, 102205, China.

Chemico-Biological Interactions
|December 18, 2025
PubMed

Insights

This study identifies stable peptide biomarkers in spinach protein (RuBisCO) for detecting organophosphorus nerve agents (OPNAs). These findings aid in food safety and forensic investigations of OPNA exposure.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Toxicology
  • Analytical Chemistry

Background:

  • Organophosphorus nerve agents (OPNAs) are highly toxic chemical weapons that inhibit acetylcholinesterase.
  • Reliable detection methods are crucial for verifying OPNA exposure, especially in food matrices.
  • Expanding biomarker candidates is essential for extended-window detection.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate in vitro adduct formation between spinach RuBisCO and V-type OPNAs.
  • To identify potential peptide biomarkers for OPNA exposure in food.
  • To assess the stability and conserved modification sites of these adducts.

Main Methods:

  • In vitro incubation of spinach ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (RuBisCO) with V-type OPNAs.
  • Mass spectrometry-based identification of adducted peptides.
  • Analysis of conserved covalent modification sites across different OPNAs.

Main Results:

  • 13 reproducibly adducted peptides were identified.
  • 5 peptides exhibited conserved covalent modification sites across VX, VR, and Vs OPNAs.
  • Specific modified peptide sequences (e.g., GHYLNATAGTCEDMMK) showed high adduct stability.

Conclusions:

  • Stable, modified peptides of RuBisCO are promising biomarkers for OPNA exposure tracking.
  • This research provides a foundation for forensic analysis of OPNA residues.
  • The findings support enhanced food safety incident investigations related to chemical toxicant exposure.
Keywords:
AdductsRuBisCOTraceabilityV-type OPNAs

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