Purification and properties of chorismate synthase from Bacillus subtilis

Chorismatic synthase was purified to apparent homogeneity from Bacillus subtilis. The enzyme required NADPH-dependent flavin reductase, Mg2+, NADPH, and flavin (FMN or FAD) for activity. The molecular weight of chorismate synthase was 24,000 as determined by sodium dedecyl sulfate (SDS)-gel electrophoresis. The enzyme was also isolated in a complex form associated with NADPH-dependent flavin reductase and another enzyme of the aromatic amino acid pathway, dehydroquinate synthase. On SDS-gel electrophoresis, this form was resolved into three bands with molecular weights of 13,000, 17,000, and 24,000. The enzyme complex was easily dissociated and the dissociation resulted in a change in the chromatographic properties of NADPH-dependent flavin reductase which was no longer retained on phosphocellulose whereas chorismate synthase was still adsorbed. Chorismate synthase activity was linear with time and protein concentration, whereas partially purified preparations showed a significant lag period before the reaction took place. Moreover, crude or partially purified enzyme preparations were completely inactivated by dilution and the activity could be recovered by addition of flavin reductase. A possible role of NADPH-dependent flavin reductase in the activation and regulation of chorismate synthase activity is discussed.