Tryptophanase from Escherichia coli: catalytic and spectral properties in water-organic solvents

In water-methanol and water-dimethylformamide (DMF) (1:1 v/v) solutions tryptophanase from E.coli retains its abilities to form a quinonoid complex with quasisubstrates and to catalyze the decomposition of S-o-nitrophenyl-L-cysteine (SOPC). Both the KM and Vmax values decrease in water-organic media. The affinities of tryptophanase for L-alanine, L-tryptophan, oxindolyl-L-alanine and indole in aqueous methanol are decreased, the effect being stronger for the more hydrophobic substances. In a water solution tryptophanase catalizes the reaction of SOPC with indole to form L-tryptophan while in water-organic solvents only decomposition of SOPC is observed.