Yeast argininosuccinate synthetase. Purification; structural and kinetic properties

Yeast argininosuccinate synthetase has been purified to homogeneity. The enzyme was found to have a molecular weight of 228,000 as determined by gel sieving. It is composed of identical subunits of Mr 49,000 as shown by gel electrophoresis. The quaternary structure as determined by cross-linking of the subunits with glutaraldehyde, followed by gel electrophoresis with dodecylsulfate, is tetrameric. The saturation functions by citrulline and aspartate are hyperbolic; with MgATP as the variable substrate a sigmoid character, dependent on the concentration of citrulline, aspartate, argininosuccinate and arginine, was observed. The positive cooperativity is reduced by increasing concentrations of citrulline and aspartate; it is increased by argininosuccinate and arginine. Kinetic analysis provided evidence for a random addition of substrates. Initial velocity studies as well as product and dead-end inhibition studies comply with a rapid-equilibrium random model, except for the interconversion of the central quaternary complexes; the different kinetic constants have been established on the basis. Yeast argininosuccinate synthetase has a double metabolic function: anabolic in the biosynthesis of arginine, catabolic as the first enzyme of citrulline utilization as nitrogen source. The kinetic properties of the enzyme point to a physiologically well-adjusted activity for both roles and to an economic and efficient utilization of ATP.