[Aging of cholinesterase after inhibition by organophosphates]

Progressive inhibition of cholinesterases by organophosphates results from phosphorylation of the active-site serine. Phosphorylated cholinesterases may undergo a dealkylation reaction of the organophosphorus moiety leading to "aged" enzyme, i.e. conversion of the inhibited enzyme into a non-reactivable form. Aging occurs rapidly when the inhibitor is soman, a powerful nerve agent. This reaction promotes formation of a salt bridge between the protonated histidine of the active site catalytic triad and a negatively charged oxygen bound to the phosphorus atom. This reaction is accompanied by enzyme conformational and stability changes. In the research of compounds which retard or prevent the dealkylation reaction of organophosphate-cholinesterase conjugates, some allosteric effectors are relatively efficient by decreasing the velocity of the "aging" process. Knowledge of the three-dimensional structure of non-inhibited, inhibited and aged cholinesterases allows to understand the intimate mechanism of irreversible enzyme inhibition. Modeling of enzyme structure in the presence of effectors is essential to find out new therapeutic means against organophosphate poisoning.