pH-dependent interconvertible forms of mushroom tyrosinase with different kinetic properties

The lag in cresolase activity and inhibition by excess tyrosine of mushroom tyrosinase which was observed when assayed at pH 6.8 was found to be absent when assayed at pH 5.0. The absence of lag and inhibition by excess tyrosine of tyrosinase at pH 5.0 were brought about only after the enzyme was kept at pH 5.0, at 0-4 degrees C, for 1.5 h. The enzyme kept at pH 5.0 for 1.5-3 h at 0-4 degrees C when brought back to pH 6.8, acquires lag and inhibition by excess tyrosine when its activity was measured at pH 6.8. The pH-dependent changes in the kinetic properties of the mushroom tyrosinase are similar to the pH-dependent changes in the kinetic properties of tyrosinase from B-16 murine melanoma and human skin, and thus appear to be a general property of tyrosinase from diverse sources.