Interaction of bovine heart lactate dehydrogenase with erythrocyte lipids

The interaction between bovine heart lactate dehydrogenase and erythrocyte lipid suspension as a function of pH, NAD, NADH, lipid and salt concentration was studied by ultracentrifugation. In the presence of erythrocyte lipid liposomes the enzyme forms two kinds of complex: lactate dehydrogenase adsorbed to liposomes and soluble lactate dehydrogenase-phospholipid complexes. The two complexes reveal different dependence of their stability on pH values. Lactate dehydrogenase decreases its specific activity when it binds to the phospholipid molecules. Efficient adsorption of lactate dehydrogenase to liposomes occurs in their pH range 6.0-8.0 and at low ionic strength. The adsorption is diminished in the presence of NAD+ but it is not influenced by NADH. Possible mechanisms of the interaction and implications for the function in vivo are discussed.