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Research Brief 165: PON1 as a Potential Treatment for Organophosphate Poisoning (NIEHS/NIH/SPBRP) - text

Dr. Furlong’s research team has recently reported the first expression and purification of human recombinant PON1 (rHuPON1) from an E. coli system.  This represents a significant breakthrough in developing therapeutics for both OP poisoning and cardiovascular disease.  The recombinant human PON1 was non-toxic and protected against high levels of OP exposure when injected into genetically modified mice that were devoid of PON1 (in press, PNAS).  This expression system will also allow the screening of recombinant PON1 variant proteins that have increased catalytic efficiency for hydrolysis of other OP compounds including nerve agents.  Each year, there are approximately 3 million pesticide poisonings world-wide resulting in approximately 250,000 deaths.  Development of a catalytic protein therapeutic would decrease mortality and morbidity associated with these insecticide exposures. 

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