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Low intensity ultrasonic effects on yeast hexokinase
F I Braginskaya1, E A Zaitzeva, O M Zorina
1Institute of Chemical Physics, Academy of Sciences USSR, Moscow.
Radiation and Environmental Biophysics
|January 1, 1990
Summary
Ultrasound perturbs yeast hexokinase activity by mechanically breaking apart its structure and chemically altering its active site. This process, even at low intensities, destabilizes the enzyme, making it more sensitive to heat.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Enzymology
- Physical Chemistry
Background:
- Yeast hexokinase is a crucial enzyme in glycolysis.
- Understanding enzyme kinetics under external stimuli is vital for biochemical applications.
- Therapeutic ultrasound is increasingly explored for biological effects.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of 1 MHz therapeutic ultrasound on yeast hexokinase kinetics.
- To elucidate the mechanisms of ultrasound-induced enzyme perturbation.
- To assess the structural stability of sonicated hexokinase.
Main Methods:
- Studied yeast hexokinase kinetics using physico-chemical methods.
- Employed the thermoinactivation approach to analyze enzyme stability.
- Analyzed kinetic curves and parameters from two independent methods.
Main Results:
- Observed specific perturbations in enzyme kinetics due to ultrasonic waves.
- Identified mechanical breakdown of monomer contacts and sonochemical modification of the active site.
- Demonstrated increased thermolability of hexokinase after low-intensity ultrasound exposure.
Conclusions:
- 1 MHz ultrasound induces significant structural and functional changes in yeast hexokinase.
- Ultrasound destabilizes hexokinase, affecting its catalytic activity and thermal stability.
- Findings suggest potential applications and risks of ultrasound in biological systems involving enzymes.