Isolation and biochemical characterization of grape malic enzyme

Malic enzyme (ME=L-malate: NADP oxidoreductase; E.C. 1.1.1.40) was extracted by Triton X-100-induced resolubilization of enzyme proteins which denaturize spontaneously upon homogenization of grape berry material. The purification procedure included fractionating with (NH4)2SO4, preparative IEF, and Sephadex G-100 chromatography. ME was identified by TLC of the radioactive product after supplementing the assay mixture with [(14)C]malate. Cofactor dependence, pH-optimum and affinities for substrates and cosubstrates were determined. Enzymic pI was found to be 5.8, the Hill coefficients range from 1 to 3. In malate decarboxylating direction at pH 7.4, grape ME displayed positive cooperativity toward the substrate, the curve approaching normal Michaelis-Menten-kinetics at pH 7.0. Substituting Mn(2+) for Mg(2+) not only increased maximal turnover rates, but also enzymic affinity for malate. These features were considered indicative of the regulatory properties of the enzyme. Their relevance for grape malate metabolism and fruit ripening is discussed.