Biodegradation of chlorpyrifos and its hydrolyzing metabolite 3,5,6-trichloro-2-pyridinol by Sphingobacterium sp. JAS3

Biodegradation of chlorpyrifos and its metabolite 3,5,6-trichloro-2-pyridinol (TCP) were studied in aqueous medium and in soil with a novel bacterial strain JAS3. The molecular characterization based on 16S rRNA sequence analysis revealed the strain JAS3 as Sphingobacterium sp. The strain JAS3 was able to grow in minimal salt medium (MSM) supplemented with 300 mg l^?1 of chlorpyrifos as sole carbon source. The degradation of chlorpyrifos and its primary metabolite TCP were examined by HPLC. After 5 d, Sphingobacterium sp. JAS3 degraded chlorpyrifos and its metabolite TCP to benzene, 1,3-bis(1,1-dimethylethyl) was analyzed by GCMS. Degradation of chlorpyrifos and TCP in soil with and without addition of nutrients was also studied. The ability to degrade chlorpyrifos makes this strain a useful candidate for remediation of pesticide contaminated sites.     

Inhibition of fipronil and nonane metabolism in human liver microsomes and human cytochrome P450 isoforms by chlorpyrifos

Previous studies have established that chlorpyrifos (CPS), fipronil, and nonane can all be metabolized by human liver microsomes (HLM) and a number of cytochrome P450 (CYP) isoforms. However, metabolic interactions between these three substrates have not been described. In this study the effect of either coincubation or preincubation of CPS with HLM or CYP isoforms with either fipronil or nonane as substrate was investigated. In both co- and preincubation experiments, CPS significantly inhibited the metabolism of fipronil or nonane by HLM although CPS inhibited the metabolism of fipronil more effectively than that of nonane. CPS significantly inhibited the metabolism of fipronil by CYP3A4 as well as the metabolism of nonane by CYP2B6. In both cases, preincubation with CPS caused greater inhibition than coincubation, suggesting that the inhibition is mechanism based.     

Activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK 44/42) by chlorpyrifos oxon in Chinese hamster ovary cells

Acetylcholinesterase inhibition explains most but not all of the toxicological manifestations of exposure to the major organophosphorus insecticide chlorpyrifos (CP) and its metabolically activated form chlorpyrifos oxon (CPO); CPO is also reported to interact with muscarinic acetylcholine receptors and alter secondary messenger status. We find that CP and CPO activate extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK 44/42) in both wild-type (CHOK1) and human muscarinic receptor-expressing Chinese hamster ovary cells (CHO-M2). The degree of ERK 44/42 activation on treatment with 50 microM CPO for 40 minutes is 2- to 3-fold compared with control cells and is both concentration- and time-dependent. CP is at least 2-fold less potent than CPO as an activator of ERK 44/42 and the hydrolysis products 3,5,6-trichloropyridinol and diethyl phosphate are not activators. ERK 44/42 activation by CPO is insensitive to the protein kinase A inhibitor H-89, but is completely abolished by the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (P13-K) inhibitor wortmannin, the protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor GF-109203X, and the mitogen-activated extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase kinase (MEK) inhibitor PD 098059. Therefore, CPO activates the ERK 44/42 signaling cascade in CHOK1 cells via a pathway dependent on P13-K, PKC, and MEK but not requiring PKA or the human M2 muscarinic receptor. In summary we find that CPO activates a mammalian signal transduction cascade involved in cell growth and differentiation. This occurs through a pathway common to growth factors and mitogens, consistent with a receptor-mediated event. However, CPO may also inhibit an enzyme involved in signal transduction. The specific target of CPO leading to the activation of ERK 44/42 and the potential effects of this activation on cell function remain to be determined.     

In vitro metabolism of carbaryl by human cytochrome P450 and its inhibition by chlorpyrifos

Carbaryl is a widely used anticholinesterase carbamate insecticide. Although previous studies have demonstrated that carbaryl can be metabolized by cytochrome P450 (CYP), the identification and characterization of CYP isoforms involved in metabolism have not been described either in humans or in experimental animals. The in vitro metabolic activities of human liver microsomes (HLM) and human cytochrome P450 (CYP) isoforms toward carbaryl were investigated in this study. The three major metabolites, i.e. 5-hydroxycarbaryl, 4-hydroxycarbaryl and carbaryl methylol, were identified after incubation of carbaryl with HLM or individual CYP isoforms and analysis by HPLC. Most of the 16 human CYP isoforms studied showed some metabolic activity toward carbaryl. CYP1A1 and 1A2 had the greatest ability to form 5-hydroxycarbaryl, while CYP3A4 and CYP1A1 were the most active in generation of 4-hydroxycarbaryl. The production of carbaryl methylol was primarily the result of metabolism by CYP2B6. Differential activities toward carbaryl were observed among five selected individual HLM samples with the largest difference occurring in the production of carbaryl methylol. Co-incubations of carbaryl and chlorpyrifos in HLM greatly inhibited carbaryl metabolism. The ability of HLM to metabolize carbaryl was also reduced by pre-incubation of HLM with chlorpyrifos. Chlorpyrifos inhibited the generation of carbaryl methylol, catalyzed predominately by CYP2B6, more than other pathways, correlating with an earlier observation that chlorpyrifos is metabolized to its oxon primarily by CYP2B6. Therefore, carbaryl metabolism in humans and its interaction with other chemicals is reflected by the concentration of CYP isoforms in HLM and their activities in the metabolic pathways for carbaryl. (Supported by NCDA Environmental Trust Fund)     

CP1菌株的分离、筛选及其对毒死蜱的降解

从生产毒死蜱的农药生产厂曝气池中分离、筛选到降解毒死蜱且能以毒死蜱为唯一碳源生长的微生物菌株,命名为CP1。根据该菌株的Biolog特性鉴定和16S rRNA序列相似性分析,初步鉴定该菌为苍白杆菌属(Ochrobactrum sp.)。利用正交实验和Box-Behnken响应面法对影响CP1菌株降解毒死蜱的主要因素进行优化分析,得到菌株CP1对毒死蜱的最适降解条件为:农药浓度100 mg/L,pH值7.0,温度为28.5°C。优化后,CP1对毒死蜱的降解率由最初的70.26%提高到75.18%。毒死蜱降解优化试验提高了CP1菌株对毒死蜱的生物降解性能。     

Biotransformation of chlorpyrifos and bioremediation of contaminated soil

Five aerobic consortia capable of degrading chlorpyrifos as a sole carbon source in aqueous medium showed degradation in the range of 46–72% after 20 days. Pseudomonas fluorescence, Brucella melitensis, Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus cereus, Klebsiella species, Serratia marcescens and Pseudomonas aeroginosa, isolated from these consortium, showed 75–87% degradation of chlorpyrifos as compared to 18% in control after 20 days of incubation. Bioremediation of chlorpyrifos-contaminated soil with P. fluorescence, B. melitensis, B. subtilis and P. aeroginosa individually showed 89%, 87%, 85% and 92% degradation, respectively, as compared to 34% in control after 30 days. Population dynamics of the introduced isolates based on antibiotic resistance survival and REP-PCR indicated 60–70% survival based on antibiotic resistance, but only 35–45% of the inoculated population based on REP-PCR. During bioremediation studies, 3,5,6-trichloro-2-pyridinol (TCP) was detected as metabolite of chlorpyrifos degradation by P. aeroginosa after 20 days, which was utilized and disappeared after 30 days. Whole-cell studies also showed that P. aeroginosa gave TCP as the product of chlorpyrifos degradation, which was further metabolized to unknown polar metabolites.

Scientific relevance

Potential application in sites for effective in situ bioremediation of chlorpyrifos, a neurotoxic insecticide widely used in India.     

Protective effects of zinc in chlorpyrifos induced hepatotoxicity

The toxicological literature is replete with studies attempting to explain the mechanism of action of organophosphorus (OP) insecticides to their anticholinesterase activities, but not much is known about the metabolism and detoxification of these compounds. The goal of this study was to ascertain the toxic effects of chlorpyrifos, one of the most widely used OPs, on the liver of male rats and also to evaluate the protective potential of zinc in mediating its toxic effects. It was observed that chlorpyrifos (13.5 mg/kg body weight) treatment resulted in significant inhibition (p < 0.001) of serum and hepatic acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activities after 8 wk. However, zinc-treated (227 mg/L drinking water) animals resulted in significant normalization of the inhibited AChE activities. Similarly, a significant increase in the levels of various serum and liver marker enzymes (viz. alkaline phosphatase, aspartate aminotransferase [AST], and alanine aminotransferase [ALT]) was observed following treatment with chlorpyrifos. However, coadministration of zinc to these animals restored these enzymes to within normal limits, even though some increase in the activity of serum ALT and hepatic alkaline phosphatase still persisted at the end of the study. Chlorpyrifos treatment diminished serum and hepatic zinc levels significantly (p < 0.01 to p < 0.001) compared to normal control animals. Serum iron concentrations also plummeted significantly following chlorpyrifos treatment. On the contrary, serum copper levels were significantly increased (p < 0.01) in chlorpyrifos-treated animals, but they were normalized following zinc supplementation to the rats in this group. Interestingly, chlorpyrifos treatment resulted in elevated hepatic levels of copper, iron, and selenium, but zinc treatment could only partially restore the raised elemental concentrations. These data clearly demonstrate the potential role of zinc in mediating the toxic effects of chlorpyrifos, presumably because of their antioxidant properties and also their possible interaction with other trace elements in maintaining the cellular harmony.     

一株毒死蜱降解细菌的分离鉴定及其在土壤修复中的应用

从蔬菜大棚土壤中分离到一株能以毒死蜱为唯一碳源和能源生长的菌株DSP3,该菌在含毒死蜱（100mg/L）的酵母膏和蛋白胨与同样毒死蜱含量而无酵母膏蛋白胨的无机盐培养基中,18d对毒死蜱的降解率分别为986%和762%;在土壤实验中20d对毒死蜱（100mg/kg）的降解率接近100%,加入DSP3菌在蔬菜大棚新鲜土壤中能有效促进毒死蜱在土壤中的降解。根据生理生化特征、16S rDNA序列分析、（G+C）mol%测定和DNA同源性分析,将菌株DSP3鉴定为粪产碱杆菌（Alcaligenes faecalis）。     

Specific Surface Area Effect on Adsorption of Chlorpyrifos and TCP by Soils and Modelling

The adsorption of chlorpyrifos and TCP (3,5,6, trichloro-2-pyridinol) was determined in four soils (Mollisol, Inceptisol, Entisol, Alfisol) having different specific surface areas (19–84 m² g^?1) but rather similar organic matter content (2.4–3.5%). Adsorption isotherms were derived from batch equilibration experiments at 25°C. After liquid-liquid extraction, the chlorpyrifos and TCP concentrations in the solution phase were determined by gas chromatography with an electron capture detector. Adsorption coefficients were calculated using the Freundlich adsorption equation. High K_F coefficients for chlorpyrifos (15.78) and TCP (6.54) were determined for the Entisol soil, while low K_F coefficients for chlorpyrifos (5.32) and TCP (3.93) were observed in the Alfisol soil. In all four soils, adsorption of chlorpyrifos was higher than that of TCP. A surface complexation model, the constant capacitance model, was well able to fit the adsorption isotherms of both chlorpyrifos and TCP on all four soils. The results showed that specific surface area affected adsorption of both chlorpyrifos and TCP. Among the soil properties, specific surface area could be a better indicator than organic matter content alone for adsorption of chlorpyrifos and TCP by soils that contained low organic matter.     

Glucuronidation and sulfation of 7-hydroxycoumarin in liver matrices from human, dog, monkey, rat, and mouse

Summary Uridine 5′-diphospho-N-acetylgalactosamine glycosyltransferases (UGTs) and sulfotransferases (SULTs) are 2 phase II enzymes that are actively involved in detoxification processes as well as in drug metabolism. Compared with cytochrome P450 enzymes, the role of UGTs and SULTs in drug metabolism has received little attention. Liver microsomes, S9 fractions, and cryopreserved hepatocytes from human, dog, cynomolgus monkey, mouse, and rat were used as matrices in the study. Single compound, 7-hydroxycoumarin (7-HC), along with necessary cofactors was dosed into the matrices and incubated at 37° C; formation of two metabolites, 7-HC-glucuronide and 7-HC-sulfate, was determined with liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry. Within the same species, the UGTs activities in microsomes and S9 fractions were comparable. In addition, UGTs activities in cryopreserved hepatocytes were lower than in the other matrices. Also, the SULTs activities were much higher in S9 fractions than in cryopreserved hepatocytes and microsomes. Species differences on UGTs and SULTs activities were also observed. The results indicated that S9 fractions, microsomes, and cryopreserved hepatocytes might be useful for UGTs metabolism study, whereas S9 fractions appear to be the most appropriate matrix for both UGTs and SULTs metabolism. Species differences with respect to phase II metabolism also need to be taken into consideration when selecting an in vitro system to evaluate various aspects of drug metabolism.     

毒死蜱亚致死剂量对朱砂叶螨实验种群动态的影响

采用Jackknife统计推断技术和生存分析Wilcoxon (Gehan)技术,对寄主为桑树的朱砂叶螨种群水平上的亚致死效应进行了研究.结果表明, 在30 ℃±1 ℃、RH (70±15)%、16L∶8D条件下,朱砂叶螨卵受毒死蜱亚致死剂量LC₃₅处理后,雌成螨寿命、子代卵孵化率、性比与对照组无显著差异,而处理组每雌总产卵量(42.37±2.270)显著低于对照组(52.50±2433);处理组内禀增长率(0.3279±0.0033)显著低于对照组(0.3717±0.0043)     

Differential modulation of organophosphate-sensitive muscarinic receptors in rat brain by parathion and chlorpyrifos

We previously reported similar levels of brain cholinesterase inhibition but marked differences in toxicity following acute maximum tolerated doses of the organophosphate pesticides parathion and chlorpyrifos. Because extensive acetylcholinesterase inhibition often induces compensatory changes in cholinergic receptor populations, we compared the effects of parathion and chlorpyrifos on brain muscarinic receptors. Adult male rats were treated with vehicle or the maximum tolerated dose of parathion (18 mg/kg, sc) or chlorpyrifos (279 mg/kg, sc) and observed for signs of acute toxicity. Similarly treated animals were sacrificed at 2, 7, or 14 days after treatment for measurement of cholinesterase activity and binding to the nonselective muscarinic antagonist [³H]quinuclidinyl benzilate, the M2-preferential antagonist [³H]AFDX-384, and the high-affinity agonist [³H]cis-methyldioxolane. More acute toxicity was noted after parathion treatment. Both insecticides caused similar levels (> 85%) of maximal cholinesterase inhibition and reductions (up to 55%) in atropine-sensitive quinuclidinyl benzilate binding (i.e., total muscarinic receptors) and [³H]AFDX-384 binding in cortex and striatum. Parathion also reduced, whereas chlorpyrifos increased, total muscarinic receptor binding and [³H]AFDX-384 binding in the cerebellum. When tissues were preincubated with paraoxon (10 μM), radiolabeling of a subset of quinuclidinyl benzilate binding sites was blocked and the apparent densities of these organophosphate-sensitive receptors in all three tissues were decreased (16% maximal) by parathion but increased (up to 37%) by chlorpyrifos. Similarly, parathion decreased whereas chlorpyrifos increased [³H]cis-methyldioxolane binding sites in all three brain regions. We propose that differential modulation of these organophosphate-sensitive muscarinic receptors contributes to differences in acute toxicity following exposure to these pesticides.     

Biochemical effects of chlorpyrifos and deltamethrin on altered antioxidative defense mechanisms and lipid peroxidation in rat liver

Pesticides such as organophosphorus and organochlorine compounds commonly used in agriculture for achieving better quality products are toxic substances and lead to generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) which have harmful effects on human health. While pyrethroid pesticides are used in preference to organophosphates and organochlorines due to their high effectiveness, low toxicity to non-target organisms and easy biodegradability, they may also produce oxidative stress. Thus, we investigated the effects of chlorpyrifos (CP, an organophosphate) and deltamethrin (DM, a pyrethroid pesticide) treatments at low and high doses on lipid peroxidation (LPO) and antioxidant enzyme activities such as SOD, GSH-Px and CAT in rat liver following 16 weeks exposure. Antioxidative defence mechanisms and lipid peroxidation in rat liver tissues display different responses depending on different pesticide treatments and doses. Biochemical analysis showed that administrations of the chlorpyrifos and deltamethrin cause liver damage. In the present study, we observed that lipid peroxidation levels are higher at high doses than at low doses, but DM caused more pronounced increase than CP. Experimentally, we have also observed that oxidant-antioxidant balance is more affected by deltamethrin treatment than by chlorpyrifos.     

Identification of human,rat and mouse hydrolyzing enzymes bioconverting amino acid ester prodrug of ketoprofen

Alkyl ester prodrugs are well known to be bioconverted by carboxylesterases, particularly in rodents’ by first-pass metabolism in the systemic circulation and liver. However, the bioconversion of structurally more complex esters with polar functional groups is less well understood, especially in humans. Therefore, it is not clear if ester prodrugs can be utilized for targeted drug delivery. In the present study a brain-targeted ester prodrug (1) of ketoprofen, utilizing the l-type amino acid transporter 1 (LAT1) was prepared and the enzymes involved in its metabolism in human plasma and liver S9 subcellular fraction as well as rat brain S9 fraction were identified. Furthermore, species differences among mouse, rat and human plasma and liver S9 fraction were compared. The results showed that bioconversion of the ester prodrug was much faster in mouse plasma compared to human, while it’s half-life in rat plasma was closer to the one of human. Moreover, both rodent species showed more efficient bioconversion in the liver S9 fractions compared to human and relatively efficient bioconversion in the brain S9 fractions. More specifically, butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) and paraoxygenase 1 (PON1) were the main hydrolyzing enzymes of the prodrug 1 in human plasma, while carboxylesterases 1 and 2 (CES1 and CES2) as well as PONs were the main bioconverting enzymes in human liver S9 fractions. In rat brain S9 fraction, acetylcholinesterase (AChE) was hydrolyzing the prodrug 1, although also other unidentified metal-and pH-dependent enzyme(s) were recognized to be participating to the total bioconversion of the compound 1 in the brain.     

Apoptotic effects and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase responses in liver and gill tissues of rainbow trout treated with chlorpyrifos

We investigated apoptotic effects and changes in glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) enzyme activity in liver and gill tissues of fish exposed to chlorpyrifos. Three different chlorpyrifos doses (2.25, 4.5 and 6.75 μg/L) were administrated to rainbow trout at different time intervals (24, 48, 72 and 96 h). Acute exposure to chlorpyrifos showed time dependent decrease in G6PD enzyme activity at all concentrations (p < 0.05). Immunohistochemical results showed that chlorpyrifos caused mucous cell loss in gill tissue and apoptosis via caspase-3 activation in fish. The present study suggested that chlorpyrifos inhibits G6PD enzyme and causes mucous cell loss in gill and apoptosis in gill and liver tissues.     

微生物降解3,5,6-三氯-2-吡啶醇的研究进展

随着高毒性有机磷杀虫剂的限制和禁止使用,近年来以毒死蜱为代表的低毒性有机磷杀虫剂的市场份额有所增加。然而,毒死蜱的使用也导致了环境中3,5,6-三氯-2-吡啶醇(TCP)的产生,因为TCP是毒死蜱和甲基毒死蜱在环境中降解的主要中间代谢产物。它具有较高的水溶性和迁移性,容易进入深层土壤及水体环境,从而引起广泛的污染。释放到环境中的TCP不仅可以抑制TCP及其母体化合物毒死蜱和甲基毒死蜱的生物降解,而且也能抑制其他有机污染物的生物降解,从而进一步加重环境中TCP以及其他有机污染物的累积残留,影响环境系统的自我修复功能。本文概述了TCP及其母体化合物的结构、TCP的生态毒性、TCP降解菌的多样性及其微生物降解的最新研究进展,为毒死蜱和TCP污染地区进行经济可行的生物修复提供参考。     

A kinetic analysis of hepatic microsomal activation of parathion and chlorpyrifos in control and phenobarbital-treated rats

A kinetic analysis of cytochrome P450-mediated desulfuration (activation) or dearylation (detoxication) showed that rat hepatic microsomes have a greater capacity to detoxify and a lower capacity to activate chlorpyrifos compared to parathion. Kinetic curves for the desulfuration of both parathion and chlorpyrifos were biphasic; K s of 0.23 and 71.3 μM were calculated for parathion, and 1.64 and 50.4 μM for chlorpyrifos. While phenobarbital (PB) exposure seemed to generally lower the K_mapp s for desulfuration except for the low K_m activity on chlorpyrifos, the results were not statistically significant. While the low K_m activity contributed 44 and 60% of the control V_max for parathion and chlorpyrifos, respectively, it contributed 50 and 17% in PB-treated rats. These studies have indicated the presence of a low K_m activity capable of functioning at very low substrate concentrations. A single dearylation K was calculated, 56.0 and 9.8 μM for parathion and chlorpyrifos, respectively. Phenobarbital exposure seemed to raise the Ks of dearylation; however, again, the results were not statistically significant. While numerous biochemical factors contribute to the overall toxicity levels of phosphorothionate insecticides, the in vitro efficiencies of hepatic microsomal desulfuration and dearylation of parathion and chlorpyrifos correspond to the acute toxicity levels.     

Phytoremediation of chlorpyrifos by Populus and Salix

Chlorpyrifos is one of the commonly used organophosphorus insecticides that are implicated in serious environmental and human health problems. To evaluate plant potential for uptake of chlorpyrifos, several plant species of poplar (Populus sp.) and willow (Salix sp.) were investigated. Chlorpyrifos was taken up from nutrient solution by all seven plant species. Significant amounts of chlorpyrifos accumulated in plant tissues, and roots accumulated higher concentrations of chlorpyrifos than did shoots. Chlorpyrifos did not persist in the plant tissues, suggesting further metabolism of chlorpyrifos in plant tissue. To our knowledge, this work represents the first report for phytoremediation of chlorpyrifos using poplar and willow plants.     

Mineralization of chlorpyrifos by co-culture of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Serratia</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Trichosporon</Emphasis> spp.

A bacterial strain (Serratia sp.) that could transform chlorpyrifos to 3,5,6-trichloro-2-pyridinol (TCP) and a TCP-mineralizing fungal strain (Trichosporon sp.) were isolated from activated sludge by enrichment culture technique. The fungus could also degrade 50 mg chlorpyrifos l(-1) within 7 days. Co-cultures completely mineralized 50 mg chlorpyrifos l(-1) within 18 h at 30 degrees C and pH 8 using a total inocula of 0.15 g biomass l(-1).