Effects of Mg2+, Ca2+ and Mn2+ on sheep liver cytoplasmic aldehyde dehydrogenase

Sheep liver cytoplasmic aldehyde dehydrogenase is strongly inhibited by Mg2+, Ca2+ and Mn2+. The inhibition is only partial, however, with 8-15% of activity remaining at high concentrations of these agents. In 50 mM-Tris/Hcl, pH 7.5, the concentrations giving half-maximal effect were: Mg2+, 6.5 micrometers; Ca2+, 15.2 micrometers; Mn2+, 1.5 micrometer. The esterase activity of the enzyme is not affected by such low metal ion concentrations, but appears to be activated by high concentrations. Fluorescence-titration and stopped-flow experiments provide evidence for interaction of Mg2+ with NADH complexes of the enzyme. As no evidence for the presence of increased concentrations of functioning active centres was obtained in the presence of Mg2+, it is concluded that effects of Mg2+ (and presumably Ca2+ and Mn2+ also) are brought about by trapping increased concentrations of NADH in a Mg2+-containing complex. This complex must liberate products more slowly than any of the complexes involved in the non-inhibited mechanism.