Enzymological properties of pantothenate synthetase from Escherichia coli B

Following a previous report on physicochemical properties, the enzymological properties of a homogeneously purified preparation of pantothenate synthetase were described. The optimum pH was 10.0 and optimum temperature 30 degrees C. The lyophilized enzyme was very stable on standing at -20 degrees C. K+ or NH4+ and Mg2+ were required as activators; other cations examined were inhibitive to various extents and the enzyme required ATP as the energy supplier. Some omega-amino acids exerted strong inhibition, and the enzyme was inhibited by some chelating agents but was not affected by SH compounds and SH inhibitors. Apparent Km for pantoate was 6.3 x 10(-5)M, for beta-alanine 1.5 x 10(-4)M, and for ATP 1.0 x 10(-4)M. According to the method of Cleland, the enzyme reaction proceeds by a Bi Uni Uni Bi Ping Pong mechanism and a scheme showing the order of binding of substrates and releasing of products is presented.