Sarin-like and soman-like organophosphorous agents activate PLC gamma in rat brains

We report that there is a time-related change in the phospholipase C (PLC) activities of rat brain cytosol and membrane fractions after iv injection o f a soman-like or a sarin-like organophosphorous agent (bis(isopropyl methy l)phosphonate [BIMP] and bis(pinacolyl methyl)phosphonate [BPMP]), PLC gamm a was activated in the brain cytosol fraction from BPMP-injected rats. The phosphorylating activity of rat brain membrane fractions were enhanced by B PMP treatment. The brain membrane fractions from BPMP-treated rats phosphor ylated several proteins, including supposedly PLC gamma in the brain cytoso l fraction from control rats in vitro, These results suggest that soman and sarin may stimulate a membrane tyrosine kinase, including growth factor re ceptors, directly or indirectly. (C) 1999 Academic Press.