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. 1967 Apr;103(1):183–191. doi: 10.1042/bj1030183

Studies on the metabolism of diethyl 4-nitrophenyl phosphorothionate (parathion) in vitro

R A Neal 1
PMCID: PMC1270383  PMID: 4382289

Abstract

1. The metabolism of the phosphorothionate parathion in vitro was examined by using [32P]parathion and microsomes isolated from the livers of various animal species. 2. The major metabolic products of parathion in this system in vitro were identified as diethyl 4-nitrophenyl phosphate (paraoxon), diethyl hydrogen phosphate, diethyl hydrogen phosphorothionate and p-nitrophenol. 3. The reaction leading to the formation of diethyl hydrogen phosphorothionate and p-nitrophenol requires the same cofactors (NADPH and oxygen) required for metabolism of parathion to its active anti-acetylcholinesterase paraoxon. 4. The enzyme activity towards parathion per unit weight of liver is increased some 65–130% by pretreatment of male rats with phenobarbital and 3,4-benzopyrene. 5. The metabolism of parathion is inhibited by incubation in a nitrogen atmosphere and in an atmosphere containing carbon monoxide. Pure oxygen is also inhibitory. These results are discussed in terms of a deficiency of oxygen for maximal activity as well as the lability of some component of the system to oxidation.

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Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

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