In this paper we demonstrate that SWNTs and a covalent immobilization strategy enable very sensitive sensors with excellent long term stability. Organophosphorus hydrolase (OPH) functionalized single and multi-walled carbon nanotube (CNT) conjugates were exploited for direct amperometric detection of paraoxon, a model organophosphate. The catalytic hydrolysis of paraoxon produces equimoles of p...

Type I diabetes (T1D) results from T cell-mediated damage of pancreatic β-cells and loss of insulin production. The cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway represents a physiological link connecting the central nervous and immune systems via vagus nerve, and functions to control the release of proinflammatory cytokines. Using the multiple low-dose streptozotocin (MLD-STZ) model to induce experime...

Bifunctional fusion proteins consisting of organophosphate hydrolase (OPH) moieties linked to a Clostridium-derived cellulose-binding domain (CBD) were shown to be highly effective in degrading organophosphate nerve agents, enabling purification and immobilization onto different cellulose materials in essentially a single step. Enzyme kinetics studies were performed for the CBD-OPH fusions usin...

Inflammation is a crucial defense mechanism that protects the body from the devastating effects of invading pathogens. However, an unrestrained inflammatory reaction may result in systemic manifestations with dire consequences to the host. The extent of activation of the inflammatory response is tightly regulated through immunological and neural pathways. Previously, we demonstrated that cholin...

Human paraoxonase (HuPON1) is a serum enzyme that exhibits a broad spectrum of hydrolytic activities, including the hydrolysis of various organophosphates, esters, and recently identified lactone substrates. Despite intensive site-directed mutagenesis and other biological studies, the structural basis for the specificity of substrate interactions of HuPON1 remains elusive. In this study, we app...