Reversible effects of cross-linking on the regulatory cooperativity of Acinetobacter citrate synthase

Citrate synthase was purified from Acinetobacter calcoaceticus and treated with the cleavable cross-linking reagent dithiobis(succinimidyl propionate). Cross-linking of the enzyme resulted in the abolition of the sigmoidal responses to inhibition by NADH and re-activation by AMP displayed by the native enzyme. Inhibition and re-activation were still observed but without any cooperativity. Cleavage of the disulphide bonds in the cross-links by treatment with dithiothreitol restored the sigmoidal characteristics of both inhibition and re-activation.