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Direct Detection of the Acetate-forming Activity of the Enzyme Acetate Kinase
Published on: December 19, 2011
Characterization of acetohydroxy acid synthase activity in the archaeon Haloferax volcanii
M Vyazmensky1, Z Barak, D M Chipman
1Department of Life Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel.
Abstract:
Whereas the biochemistry of acetohydroxy acid synthase has been extensively studied in bacteria and eukaryotes, relatively little is known about the enzyme in archaea, the third kingdom of life. The present study biochemically characterizes acetohydroxy acid synthase activity in the halophilic archaea Haloferax volcanii. In addressing ion requirements, enzyme inhibition and antibody labeling, the results reveal that, except for its elevated salt requirements, the haloarchaeal enzyme is remarkably similar to its bacterial counterpart.
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