Interaction of glucose oxidase with alkyl-substituted Sepharose 4B

Glucose oxidase (GOD) is often used in immobilized forms for determination of glucose. To examine the possibility of its adsorption by hydrophobic interactions, palmityl-substituted Sepharose 4B (Sepharoselipid) was employed as an adsorptive matrix. Various conditions were used in tests to improve the limited immobilization of the enzyme observed under normal (native) conditions, including use of high concentrations of denaturing agents. Of the denaturants used, only the cationic detergent dodecyl trimethyl ammonium bromide was effective in denaturing the protein and exposing its hydrophobic sites for interaction with alkyl residues on the support. This, followed by the process of renaturation, provided catalytically active immobilized preparations. The apoenzyme, prepared by treatment of the holoenzyme with acidified (NH4)2SO4 or thermal denaturation, was totally immobilized on the support. Furthermore, it was shown that either flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) or the alkyl residues, not both, may interact with the nucleotide site at any given time. Results are discussed in terms of high rigidity of GOD molecule and limited exposure of hydrophobic sites in its native structure. The observations are in accord with suggestions in the literature that the FAD pocket is a very narrow channel of hydrophobic properties, adapted to accept its natural coenzyme.