A galactokinase of Mycobacterium sp. 279 galactose mutant

A galactokinase and the other enzymes of a galactose catabolic pathway were found in Mycobacterium sp. 279 galactose mutant. The galactokinase was partially purified in a procedure involving ammonium sulfate precipitation, Sephadex G-100 filtration and DEAE-cellulose chromatography. The enzyme was 170-fold purified with 25% of recovery. It was most active at pH 7.8-8.0 in the presence of Mg2+, CO2+, Mn2+ or Fe2+ ions. The molecular weight of the enzyme as determined by Sephadex G-100 filtration amounted to 41,700. The apparent Michaelis constants for galactose and ATP in spectrophotometric test were 1.0 mM and 0.29 mM, respectively. Mercuric compounds at concentration of 0.4 mM completely blocked the enzyme. The galactokinase was quite stable during storage at moderatory temperatures and neutral pH but underwent rapid inactivation on heating above 50 degrees C.