review Open Access

Mechanism of action of organophosphorus and carbamate insecticides.

Environmental Health Perspectives · 1990 · Vol. 87 · pp. 245–254

T. R. Fukuto✉(University of California, Riverside)

Abstract

Organophosphorus and carbamate insecticides are toxic to insects and mammals by virtue of their ability to inactivate the enzyme acetylcholinesterase. This review addresses the mechanism of inhibition of acetylcholinesterase by organophosphorus and carbamate esters, focusing on structural requirements necessary for anticholinesterase activity. The inhibition of acetylcholinesterase by these compounds is discussed in terms of reactivity and steric effects. The role of metabolic activation or degradation in the overall intoxication process is also discussed.

Pesticide Exposure and Toxicity Cholinesterase and Neurodegenerative Diseases Insect and Pesticide ResearchAcetylcholinesteraseCarbamateSteric effectsChemistryOrganophosphateCholinesteraseMechanism of actionEnzymeMechanism (biology)Pharmacology

MeSH terms

AnimalsBiotransformationCarbamatesCholinesterase InhibitorsMixed Function OxygenasesInsecticidesInsectaMammalsInactivation, MetabolicSynaptic TransmissionOrganophosphorus CompoundsOxidation-ReductionStructure-Activity RelationshipMolecular Structure

Citations

934

FWCI

1.52

field-weighted impact

References

Percentile

87%

vs. same field & year

Citations per year

Cited by

Predicting modes of toxic action from chemical structure: Acute toxicity in the fathead minnow (<i>Pimephales promelas</i>)