ENZYME-CATALYZED P-F BOND HYDROLYSIS OF MONOFLUOROPHOSPHATE AS A SIMPLE-MODEL OF SARIN DETOXIFICATION

The catalytic ability of alkaline phosphatase (EC3.1.3.1) to promote P -F bond hydrolysis was examined with a simple nontoxic P-F compound, m onofluorophosphate (Na2PO3F), to obtain an insight into the enzymatic degradation of Sarin, a toxic P-F compound. The enzyme recognized inor ganic monofluorophosphate as a substrate and accelerated its hydrolyti c conversion to orthophosphate and fluoride ions at pH 7.2 - 9.0 and 3 0 degrees C by a factor of ten billion (10(10)).