STUDIES ON ISOCITRATE LYASE ISOLATED FROM LUPINUS COTYLEDONS

Isocitrate lyase (threo-DS-isocitrate glyoxylate-lyase, EC 4.1.3.1) was isolated from cotyledons of Lupinus seedlings, purified 100-fold with respect to its initial specific activity and characterized (Km, pH optimum, Mg2+ requirement, sulfhydryl inhibitors, and synthase activity). The final purified preparation consisted of two homogeneous protein bands clearly separated by electrophoresis on polyacrylamide gel and chromatography on Sephadex G 200. Reducing agents are necessary for the maintenance of enzyme activity. The most effective reducing agent studied was 1,4-dithioerythreitol. The effect of several metabolites (oxalate, malonate, phosphoenolpyruvate, succinate, malate, tartrate, gluconate-6-phosphate, sorbose, sorbitol, and inositol) on the activity of purified preparations was tested. Oxalate proved to be the strongest inhibitor, seconded closely by phosphoenolpyruvate. The spectral characteristics of the purified enzyme are as follows: ultraviolet peak at 280 nm and fluorescence peak at 340 nm. The solid state infrared spectrum of the enzyme (lyophilized) showed that the enzyme was mostly in the alpha-helix conformation with very slight random orientation.