The action of diisopropyl phosphorofluoridate and other anticholinesterases on amino acids

Abstract

The action of diisopropyl phosphorofluoridate, diisopropyl phosphorochloridate and some other phosphorus-containing anticholinesterases on a number of amino acids under "physiological" conditions was studied. Diisopropyl phosphorofluoridates, but not diisopropyl phosphorochloridate, react with the phenolic hydroxyl group of tyrosine under these conditions. Tetraethyl pyrophosphate is more reactive, but less selective, than diisopropyl phosphorofluoridate towards amino acids. The significance of these findings for the problem of the mode of action of diisopropyl phosphorofluoridate and other anti-cholinesterases is discussed briefly.