Molecular characteristics of chicken liver arginase

A purification procedure for the preparation of chicken liver arginase in a homogeneous form is presented. The enzyme hydrolyses both arginine and argininic acid. Kinetic analysis reveals that the enzyme binds arginine when the amino group is protonated or unprotonated; however, the unprotonated form seems to be hydrolysed more rapidly. The enzyme exchanges with the medium approx. 1.6Mn(2+) ions per molecule.