Enzyme-Mediated Bioremediation of Organophosphates Using Stable Yeast Biocatalysts

Organophosphates are extremely toxic compounds, which pose a threat to the environment and public due to their widespread use as common pesticides or due to their deliberate release as chemical weapons. The bacterial enzyme organophosphorus hydrolase (OPH, EC. 3.1.8.1) can hydrolyze, and thereby detoxify a broad range of organophosphate nerve agents. This enzyme therefore offers the opportunity for the development of naturally occurring newer bioremediation strategies. The aim of this research was to generate a stable yeast biocatalyst that was capable of hydrolyzing the poorly hydrolyzed P-S class of organophosphates. The genes encoding the wild-type OPH, or the enhanced variant enzyme S308L-OPH, were integrated into the ribosomal operon of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae genome to create a stable yeast biocatalyst.