Enzyme stabilization in nanostructured materials, for use in organophosphorus nerve agent detoxification and prophylaxis

Abstract

Enzyme immobilization and encapsulation in various nanostructures has drawn great interest as it offers both increased stability and reusability without significant loss in activity. Although we are still at the beginning of exploring the use of these materials for biocatalysis, by now several nanostructures have been tested as hosts for enzyme immobilization. The beneficial application of enzyme stabilization in nanostructured materials for use in nerve agent detoxification and pre-treatment is reviewed and discussed in this article. Enzymes hydrolyzing organophosphorus compounds (e.g. OPAA, OPH, Paraoxonase) are capable of detoxifying neurotoxic chemical warfare (CW) agents, i.e. G-type, V-type, and related organophosphorus (OP)-based industrial materials. The nano-encapsulation of OP-hydrolyzing enzymes with mesoporous materials or dendritic polymers can provide a very stable and convenient formulation for use in chemical agent detoxification. Nano-encapsulated enzymes demonstrated the ability to retain their activity in the presence of a number of organic solvents, commercial disinfectants and anti-microbial agents and foams, making them suitable for personnel decontamination and individual protection applications. OP-hydrolyzing enzymes also show great promise as catalytic bioscavengers to be used as safe and effective medical countermeasures to OP intoxication. Novel enzyme-complexed nano-delivery systems, particularly polymeric nanocapsules and sterically stabilized liposomes, can be used to carry these metabolizing enzymes to the circulation. Thus, it is possible to avoid the physiological disposition and potential immunological reactions of these bacterial derived enzymes. Nanostructured delivery systems, consequently, allows for increasing the enzymes efficacy by extending their circulatory life and in some cases also their specific activity. © 2011 Springer Science+Business Media B.V.