Cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase in Dictyostelium discoideum: interconversion of two enzyme forms

An extracellular cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase was isolated from either growing cultures or aggregating amoebas of Dictyostelium discoideum. The enzyme is released in a form with a low Michaelis constant (15 micromolar) and spontaneously undergoes a slow conversion to a less active form with a high Michaelis constant (2 mnillimolar). Inactivation was prevented or reversed by use of Cleland's reagent, dithiothreitol. The two enzyme forms may be part of a mechanism for control of concentration of cyclic adenosine monophosphate.