EC number 3.1.8.1 IntEnz IntEnz view ExPASy NiceZyme view | CAS number 117698-12-1 BRENDA BRENDA entry KEGG KEGG entry | |
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Aryldialkylphosphatase (EC 3.1.8.1) (also known as organophosphorus hydrolase, phosphotriesterase, and paraoxon hydrolase) is an enzyme that hydrolyse organophosphates:
Contents
an aryl dialkyl phosphate + H2OThus, the two substrates of this enzyme are aryldialkylphosphate and H2O, whereas its two products are dialkylphosphate and aryl alcohol.
Organophosphate is the general name for esters of phosphoric acid and is one of the organophosphorus compounds. They can be found as part of insecticides, herbicides, and nerve gases, amongst others. Some less-toxic organophosphates can be used as solvents, plasticizers, and EP additives.
Function
Bacteria such as Pseudomonas diminuta harbor a plasmid that carries the gene for aryldialkylphosphatase (EC 3.1.8.1). This enzyme has attracted interest because of its potential use in the detoxification of chemical waste and warfare agents and its ability to degrade agricultural pesticides such as parathion. It acts specifically on synthetic organophosphate triesters and phosphorofluoridates. It does not seem to have a natural occurring substrate and may thus have optimally evolved for utilizing paraoxon.
Structure
Aryldialkylphosphatase belongs to a family of enzymes that possess a binuclear zinc metal centre at their active site. The two zinc ions are coordinated by six different residues, six of which being histidines.