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Rabbit muscle triosephosphate isomerase: activity and inactivation by sulfhydryl reagents as affected by enzyme
Abstract:
Progressive increase of enzymatic activity with time occurs after dilution of a crystalline suspension of rabbit muscle TIM. The concentration of p-MB required to inhibit the enzyme is higher the greater the concentration of enzyme. With the lowest concentrations of mercurial that are ultimately inhibitory to the enzyme in dilute solution, there is a lag period before inactivation begins. With higher concentrations of mercurial, some degree of inactivation occurs almost immediately, and enzymatic activity thereafter decreases at a slower rate. With an enzyme concentration of 32 ng/ml, a low concentration of p-MB decreases Vmax without change KM. A higher concentration of mercurial also increases KM. With an enzyme concentration of 1 mg/ml, iodoace begins to inactivate it only after a lag period. In enzyme solutions containing 8 ng/ml, inactivation by iodoacetate progresses without significant initial lag. Discrepancies between the present work and that of other authors can probably be accounted for by differences in the concentrations of enzyme used. It is suggested that the conformation of rabbit muscle TIM in solution is dependent on its concentration. In more dilute solutions the enzyme assumes a conformation in which it is catalytically more active and in which its sulfhydryl groups are more accessible to chemical attack.
Insights
Rabbit muscle TIM shows increased enzymatic activity upon dilution. Enzyme conformation, affected by concentration, influences catalytic activity and susceptibility to inhibitors like p-mercuribenzoate (p-MB).
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Enzymology
Background:
- Rabbit muscle triosephosphate isomerase (TIM) is crucial in glycolysis.
- Understanding TIM's conformational changes and inhibitor interactions is key to enzyme kinetics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of enzyme concentration on rabbit muscle TIM activity.
- To elucidate the relationship between TIM conformation, catalytic efficiency, and inhibitor sensitivity.
Main Methods:
- Dilution of crystalline rabbit muscle TIM suspension.
- Assay of enzymatic activity over time.
- Treatment with inhibitors p-mercuribenzoate (p-MB) and iodoacetate at varying concentrations.
Main Results:
- Enzyme activity increased progressively after dilution.
- Inhibitor concentration required for inactivation correlated with enzyme concentration.
- Lower enzyme concentrations showed a lag phase before inactivation by p-MB, with higher concentrations increasing KM.
- Iodoacetate inactivation showed concentration-dependent lag periods.
Conclusions:
- Rabbit muscle TIM conformation is concentration-dependent.
- Dilute solutions favor a more catalytically active conformation with accessible sulfhydryl groups.
- Enzyme concentration significantly impacts kinetic parameters and inhibitor interactions.