pH dependence of the kinetic parameters of L-asparaginase

The concentration dependence of the rate of hydrolysis of L-asparagine by Escherichia coli L-asparaginase (L-asparagine amidohydrolase, EC 3.5.1.1) has been measured over the range pH 4.5 to pH 9.1 by a direct spectrophotometric assay at 220 nm and by a coupled assay utilizing glutamate dehydrogenase to detect the ammonia produced. The velocity of the hydrolysis reaction at saturating levels of substrate is independent of pH over this interval. The plot of V/km over the same interval is bell-shaped, being dependent on pKa values of 6.58 and 8.69. The higher pKa is attributed to the amino group of asparagine. The lower pKa is associated with the enzyme active site and is probably due to an imidazole group.