Reversible inhibition of lambda exonuclease with high pressure

The hydrolytic activity of lambda exonuclease, a highly processive enzyme, is inhibited by high pressure. When assayed at 67 MPa, the activity is 87% of the atmospheric rate; increasing the pressure to 336 MPa causes a greater than 99% inhibition of the enzyme activity. Decreasing the pressure from 336 MPa to 67 MPa at 20 degrees C reverses the inhibition. The use of hydrostatic pressure to control the activity of lambda exonuclease has potential practical application in DNA sample preparation, analysis, and sequencing.