Purification and properties of a highly active organophosphorus acid anhydrolase from Alteromonas undina

Abstract

A highly active organophosphorus acid anhydrolase from Alteromonas undina was purified to homogeneity and found to be composed of a single polypeptide chain with a molecular weight of 53,000. With diisopropylfluorophosphate as a substrate, the purified enzyme has a specific activity of ~575 μmol/min/mg of protein. The enzyme has optimum activity at pH 8.0 and 55°C and is stimulated by sulfhydryl reducing agents and manganese. It is capable of rapidly hydrolyzing a wide range of nerve agents and several chromogenic phosphinates.