Purification and partial characterization of the B subunit of Serratia marcescens tryptophan synthetase

A trpE mutant of Serratia marcescens (E-7) was isolated, and the multimeric enzyme tryptophan synthetase (EC 4.2.1.20) was purified to homogeneity from derepressed cells. The A and B subunits were resolved, and the B subunit was partially characterized and compared with the Escherichia coli B subunit as part of a comparative evolution study of the trpB cistron of the trp operon in the Enterobacteriaceae. The S. marcescens B subunit is a dimer (beta(2)), and its molecular weight was estimated to be 89,000. The separate subunits (beta monomers) had molecular weights of approximately 43,000. The B subunit required pyridoxal phosphate for catalytic activity and had an apparent K(m) of 9 x 10(-6) M. The N terminus of the B subunit was unavailable for reaction with terminal amine reagents (blocked), whereas carboxypeptidase digestion released a C-terminal isoleucine. Using S. marcescens B antiserum in agar immunodiffusion gave an almost complete reaction of identity between the B subunits of S. marcescens and E. coli. The antiserum was used in microcomplement fixation, allowing for a comparison of the overall antigenic surface structure of the two B subunits. The index of dissimilarity for the heterologous E. coli enzyme compared with the homologous S. marcescens enzyme was 2.4, indicating extensive similarity of the two proteins at their surfaces. Comparative antiserum neutralization of B-subunit enzyme activity showed the E. coli enzyme to cross-react 85% as well as the S. marcescens enzyme. With regard to the biochemical and immunochemical parameters used in this study, the S. marcescens and E. coli B subunits were either identical or very similar. These findings support the idea that the trpB cistron of the trp operon is a relatively conserved gene in the Enterobacteriaceae.