Purification and properties of L-asparaginase B from Acinetobacter calcoaceticus

L-Asparaginase (L-asparagine amidohydrolase, EC 3.5.1.1) B from Acinetobacter calcoaceticus has been purified by precipitation with streptomycin, chromatography on DEAE-cellulose and CM-cellulose, gel filtration on Agarose and chromatography on phosphocellulose. The molecular weight of the enzyme was found to be 130 000. The enzyme was rather insensitive to pH changes between 7 and 9. The Michaelis constant was 3-10(-3) M. Hg2+, Cu2+, and Ni2+ as well as high ionic strength inhibited the activity of the enzyme, whereas citrate seemed to stimulate the activity. The enzyme catalyzed the deamination of L-glutamine to about the same extent as L-asparagine. The temperature stability of the enzyme is also reported. The enzyme had a weak tumor inhibitory power.