Isolation and properties of oxaloacetate keto-enol-tautomerases from bovine heart mitochondria

Two highly purified proteins with quite different properties capable of oxaloacetate keto-enol-tautomerase activity (oxaloacetate keto-enol-isomerase, EC 5.3.2.2) were isolated from the bovine heart mitochondrial matrix. The first protein has an apparent molecular mass of 37 kDa as determined by SDS-gel electrophoresis and Sephacryl SF-200 gel filtration. It is quite stable upon storage at 40 degrees C and reaches the maximal catalytic activity at pH 8.5 with a half-maximal activity at pH 7.0. The enzyme is specifically inhibited by oxalate and diethyloxaloacetate. When assayed in the enol----ketone direction at 25 degrees C (pH 9.0), the enzyme obeys a simple substrate saturation kinetics with Km and Vmax values of 45 microM and 74 units per mg of protein, respectively; the latter value corresponds to the turnover number of 2700 min-1. The second protein has an apparent molecular mass of 80 kDa as determined by SDS-gel electrophoresis and Sephacryl SF-300 gel filtration. The enzyme is rapidly inactivated at 40 degrees C and shows a sharp pH optimum of activity at pH 9.0. The enzyme can be completely protected from thermal inactivation by oxaloacetate and dithiothreitol. The kinetic parameters of the enzyme as assayed in the enol----ketone direction at 25 degrees C (pH 9.0) are: Km = 220 microM and Vmax = 20 units per mg of protein; the latter corresponds to the turnover number of 1600 min-1. The enzyme activity is specifically inhibited by maleate and pyrophosphate. About 30% of the total oxaloacetate tautomerase activity in crude mitochondrial matrix is represented by the 37 kDa enzyme and about 70% by the 80 kDa protein.     

Crystal structure analysis of oxidized Pseudomonas aeruginosa azurin at pH 5.5 and pH 9.0. A pH-induced conformational transition involves a peptide bond flip

The X-ray crystal structure of recombinant wild-type azurin from Pseudomonas aeruginosa was determined by difference Fourier techniques using phases derived from the structure of the mutant His35Leu. Two data sets were collected from a single crystal of oxidized azurin soaked in mother liquor buffered at pH 5.5 and pH 9.0, respectively. Both data sets extend to 1.93 A resolution. The two pH forms were refined independently to crystallographic R-factors of 17.6% (pH 5.5) and 17.5% (pH 9.0). The conformational transition previously attributed to the protonation/deprotonation of residue His35 (pKa(red) = 7.3, pKa(ox) = 6.2), which lies in a crevice of the protein close to the copper binding site, involves a concomitant Pro36-Gly37 main-chain peptide bond flip. At the lower pH, the protonated imidazole N delta 1 of His35 forms a strong hydrogen bond with the carbonyl oxygen from Pro36, while at alkaline pH the deprotonated N delta 1 acts as an acceptor of a weak hydrogen bond from HN Gly37. The structure of the remainder of the azurin molecule, including the copper binding site, is not significantly affected by this transition.     

Oxidation-reduction potentials of flavin and Mo-pterin centers in assimilatory nitrate reductase: variation with pH

Potentiometric titrations of assimilatory nitrate reductase from Chlorella vulgaris were performed within the pH range 6.0-9.0. Mo(V) was measured by room temperature EPR spectroscopy while the reduction state of FAD was monitored by CD spectroscopy. Between pH 6 and 8.5, the line shape of the Mo(V) EPR signal was constant, exhibiting superhyperfine coupling to a single, exchangeable proton. Potentiometric titrations indicated the Em values for the Mo(VI)/Mo(V) (+61 mV, pH 6) and Mo(V)/Mo(IV) (+35 mV, pH 6) couples decreased with increasing pH by approximately -59 mV/pH unit, consistent with the uptake of a single proton upon reduction of Mo(VI) to Mo(V) and Mo(V) to Mo(IV). The pKa values for the dissociation of these redox-coupled protons appeared to lie outside the pH range studied: pKo(MoVI), pKo(MoV) less than 5.5; pKr(MoV), pKr(MoIV) greater than 9. The Em (n = 2) for FAD (-250 mV, pH 7) varied by approximately -30 mV/pH unit within the pH range 6.0-9.0. Low-temperature EPR potentiometry at the extreme pH values indicated less than 0.5% conversion of FAD to the semiquinone form at the midpoint of the titrations. In contrast, NADH-reduced enzyme exhibited approximately 3-5% of the FAD in the semiquinone form, present as the anionic (FAD.-) species, the spectrum characterized by a line width of 1.3 mT at both pH 6.0 and 9.0.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Dimethyl-and monomethyloxyluciferins as analogs of the product of the bioluminescence reaction catalyzed by firefly luciferase

The absorption and fluorescence spectra of dimethyloxyluciferin (DMOL) and monomethyloxyluciferin (MMOL) were studied at pH 3.0-12.0. In the range of pH 3.0-8.0, the fluorescence spectrum of DMOL exhibits a maximum at lambda(em) = 639 nm. At higher pH values an additional emission maximum appears at lambda(em) = 500 nm (wavelength of excitation maximum lambda(ex) = 350 nm), which intensity increases with time. It is shown that this peak corresponds to the product of DMOL decomposition at pH > 8.0. The absorption spectra of MMOL were studied in the range of pH 6.0-9.0. At pH 8.0-9.0, the absorption spectrum of MMOL exhibits one peak at lambda(abs) = 440 nm. At pH 7.3-7.7, an additional band appears with maximum at lambda(abs) = 390 nm. At pH 6.0-7.0 two maxima are observed, at lambda(abs) = 375 and 440 nm. The fluorescence spectra of MMOL (pH 6.0-9.7, lambda(ex) = 440 or 375 nm) exhibit one maximum. It is shown that decomposition of DMOL and MMOL in aqueous solutions results in products of similar structure. DMOL and MMOL are rather stable at the pH optimum of luciferase. It is suggested that they can be used as fluorescent markers for investigation of the active site of the enzyme.     

Purification and characterization of rat liver transglutaminase

1. Transglutaminase (EC 2.3.2.13) was purified from rat liver. 2. The enzyme was stable at 25 degrees C in the pH range of 6.0-9.0, with the optimum at pH 9.0. 3. The enzyme was inactivated after incubation for 20, 4 and 1 min at 44 degrees C, 52 degrees C, and 60 degrees C, respectively. 4. Activation energies were 30.4 kcal/mol for denaturation and 19.9 kcal/mol for substrate conversion to products. 5. The enzyme was inactivated by sulfhydryl modification with hydroxymercuribenzoate (99.1%) and N-ethylmalemide (78.5%). 6. Calcium, required for the activity, was replaced to a lesser extent, by Mg2+, Sr2+, Zn2+ and Mn2+ (31.8, 27.0, 24.6 and 3.5%). 7. Steady-state kinetics showed: Vmax = 10 microM-min-1, Km = 0.05 mM (N-dimethylated casein), kcat = 31.9 min-1 kcat/Km = 560 min-1 mM-1.     

Changes in the abnormal alpha-subunit upon CO-binding to the normal beta-subunit of Hb M Boston: resonance Raman,EPR and CD study

Heme-heme interaction in Hb M Boston (His alpha 58-->Tyr) was investigated with visible and UV resonance Raman (RR), EPR, and CD spectroscopies. Although Hb M Boston has been believed to be frozen in the T quaternary state, oxygen binding exhibited appreciable co-operativity (n=1.4) and the near-UV CD spectrum indicated weakening of the T marker at pH 9.0. Binding of CO to the normal beta-subunit gave no change in the EPR and visible Raman spectra of the abnormal alpha-subunit at pH 7.5, but it caused an increase of EPR rhombicity and significant changes in the Raman coordination markers as well as the Fe(III)-tyrosine related bands of the alpha-subunit at pH 9.0. The UVRR spectra indicated appreciable changes of Trp but not of Tyr upon CO binding to the alpha-subunit at pH 9.0. Therefore, we conclude that the ligand binding to the beta heme induces quaternary structure change at pH 9.0 and is communicated to the alpha heme, presumably through His beta 92-->Trp beta 37-->His alpha 87.     

An extracellular sensor and an extracellular induction component are required for alkali induction of alkyl hydroperoxide tolerance in Escherichia coli

Escherichia coli K12 transferred from pH 7.0 to pH 9.0 gains alkylhydroperoxide (AHP) tolerance. The aim here was to establish whether extracellular components (ECs) are needed for such induction. Therefore, the effects of removing ECs during incubation at pH 9.0 were tested and the abilities of culture filtrates to induce tolerance were examined. First, AHP tolerance did not appear, at pH 9.0, if cultures were subjected to continuous filtration or dialysis, against the same medium, suggesting that an EC might be needed. Second, neutralized filtrates from pH 9.0-grown cultures induced tolerance at pH 7.0, and these filtrates were inactivated by dialysis, filtration or heating but not by protease. Thus, pH 9.0 filtrates have a small non-protein extracellular induction component (EIC), which acts as an alarmone, 'warning' cells of stress and preparing them to resist it. Filtrates from pH 7.0-grown cultures did not induce AHP tolerance at pH 7.0 but if incubated at pH 9.0 without organisms, gained such ability. It is proposed that pH 7.0 filtrates have an EIC precursor (termed an extracellular sensing component, ESC), which senses alkaline pH, and is converted by it to the EIC. The ESC in pH 6.0 filtrates was distinct from that in pH 7.0 filtrates; there may be several oligomeric (or conformational) forms of this ESC. As the EIC is small, it can diffuse away from the alkalinized region and induce tolerance in unstressed organisms.     

Preliminary functional characterization, cloning and primary sequence of Fastuosain, a cysteine peptidase isolated from fruits of Bromelia fastuosa

The present work reports the characterization of Fastuosain, a novel cysteine protease of 25kDa, purified from the unripe fruits of Bromelia fastuosa, a wild South American Bromeliaceae. Proteolytic activity, measured using casein and synthetic substrates, was dependent on the presence of thiol reagents, having maximum activity at pH 7.0. The present work reports cDNA cloning of Fastuosain; cDNA was amplified by PCR using specific primers. The product was 1096pb long. Mature fastuosain has 217 residues, and with the proregion has a total length of 324 residues. Its primary sequence showed high homology with ananain(74%), stem bromelain (66%) and papain (44%).     

Effect of pH and ionic strength on the catalytic and allosteric properties of native and chemically modified ox liver mitochondrial glutamate dehydrogenase.

Inorganic phosphate, a strong activator of glutamate dehydrogenase at pH 8.0–9.0, is an inhibitor at pH 6.0–7.6. The extent of inhibition increases with the decrease of pH. The same effect is shown by other electrolytes, including Tris-hydroxymethyl-aminomethane and NaCl.The combined effect of pH and ionic strength also alters the allosteric characteristics of the enzyme. Lowering the pH minimizes the activation by high concentrations of NAD; phosphate partially restores this activation. The allosteric activation by ADP disappears at pH around neutrality; in the pH range 6.0–7.0, ADP becomes a strong inhibitor, the inhibition being enhanced by the addition of ionic compounds. Similarly, the extent of allosteric inhibition by guanosine 5′-triphosphate (pyro) (GTP), which is maximal at pH 9.0, decreases at lower pH values and a slight activation is observed in the presence of electrolytes at pH 6.0.Glutamate dehydrogenase, selectively desensitized by dinitrophenylation in the presence of ADP, can be activated by ADP at pH 9.0, but is no longer inhibited by the same effector at pH 6.0, high salt concentration. The densensitized enzyme is not inhibited by GTP at pH 9.0, but is activated by this effector at pH 6.0 in the presence of ionic compounds. Conversely, GTP-protected dinitrophenylated glutamate dehydrogenase is desensitized only to the effect of the activating modifier, ADP at pH 9.0, GTP at pH 6.0, high salt concentration. These findings suggest that the conformation of each allosteric site of glutamate dehydrogenase is changed by pH and ionic strength so that it keeps its specificity for the ligand which brings about a given effect, activation or inhibition, independently from its chemical structure.     

Some kinetic properties of gamma-glutamyltransferase from rabbit liver

gamma-Glutamyltransferase ((5-glutamyl)-peptide: amino-acid 5-glutamyltransferase, EC 2.3.2.2) of rabbit liver (detergent form) was purified 1100-fold in order to study its kinetic properties. Kinetic studies were conducted from pH 6.0 to 12.0 in the absence and presence of the acceptor substrate glycylglycine using gamma-glutamyl-3-carboxy-4-nitroanilide as the donor. The existence of more than one binding site for both donor and acceptor is postulated on kinetic evidence such as donor substrate activation, donor substrate inhibition and acceptor substrate activation. Homotropic interaction is also observed, in the form of negative cooperativity, in donor substrate binding, in the absence of acceptor at pH less than 9.0 and positive cooperativity (n = 2), in the absence or presence of acceptor at pH greater than 9.0. Hydrolase reaction reaches a maximum of activity at pH 10 (pK 8.6). Transferase activity under conditions of maximal velocity is maximal at pH 9.0 (pK 7.1). The ratio of transferase activity/hydrolase activity is maximal at pH 7.0-7.5. At low donor substrate concentrations, maximal activity is attained at pH 7.5.     

Spin-state exchange in fusarium lipoxygenase on binding of linoleic acid.

The electron paramagnetic resonance(EPR) signals of Fusarium lipoxygenase were measured at liquid nitrogen temperature in the presence or absence of substrate, linoleic acid. The spin-state exchange of heme iron in Fusarium lipoxygenase from a low to high spin-state by the addition of linoleic acid was observed. The addition of linoleic acid to the enzyme at pH 9.0 gave rise to the appearance of EPR lines at g=5.92 and 3.58, while at pH 12.0, lines at g=6.12 and 3.41 were newly appeared. At the same time, the resonance at g=4.31 was increased both at pH 9.0 and 12.0 in the presence of linoleic acid.     

Structure of pyridine nucleotide transhydrogenase from Azotobacter vinelandii.

1. Pyridine nucleotide transhydrogenase of Azotobacter vinelandii purified by affinity chromatography consists of a mixture of polydisperse rods at neutral pH. No other structures are seen by electron microscopy. 2. At high pH (8.5--9.0) the rods depolymerize. Complete depolymerization can be achieved in 0.1 M Tris-Cl pH 9.0. The depolymerized enzyme has a molecular weight of 421000 (sedimentation equilibrium), its sedimentation coefficient s20, w = 15 S and its Stokes' radius Rs = 7 nm. Since gel electrophoresis in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulphate shows that transhydrogenase consists of a single polypeptide chain of molecular weight (54 +/- 2) X 10(3) it follows that the depolymerized enzyme has an octameric quaternary structure. We propose that this octamer serves as the functional monomeric unit ('unimer') from which the polymeric form of transhydrogenase is constructed. 3. Gel filtration and sucrose gradient centrifugation studies of cell-free extracts from A. vinelandii show the unimer to be the predominant active species.     

How the surface functionalized nanoparticles affect conformation and activity of proteins: Exploring through protein-nanoparticle interactions

To understand the effect of counter ions (Na⁺) on the secondary conformation and functionality of the lysozyme, we have studied the interaction of lysozyme with counterion associated iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs). The investigation was carried out at pH 7.4 and 9.0, with three different types of NPs, namely, bare IONPs, low molecular weight chitosan modified IONPs (LMWC-IONPs) and the counterion (Na⁺) associated sodium tripolyphosphate IONPs (STP-LMWC-IONPs) and confirmed by using various spectroscopy techniques. The difference in UV–vis absorbance (ΔA) between native and STP-LMWC-IONPs interacted hen egg white lysozyme (HEWL) was greater than that between native and NPs interacted HEWL at pH 9.0 compared with pH 7.4. Furthermore, STP-LMWC-IONPs exhibited quenching effect on lysozyme fluorescence spectrum at pH 9.0 due to binding of Na⁺ counterions to the protein, confirming denaturation of the latter. After HEWL interaction with STP-LMWC-IONPs (pH 9.0), CD spectra revealed a conformational change in the secondary structure of HEWL. Also, counterion induced lysozyme inactivation, due to interaction with nanoparticles at pH 9.0, was confirmed by enzymatic activity assay involving lysis of Micrococcus lysodeikticus. In conclusion, pH 9.0 was observed to be a more favorable condition, compared to pH 7.4, for the strongest electrostatic interaction between lysozyme and NPs. We postulate that the counterions in nanoparticle surface-coating can ameliorate protein misfolding or unfolding and also prevent their aggregation and, therefore, can be considered as a powerful and potential therapeutic strategy to treat incurable neurodegenerative disorders.     

Kinetic analysis of a chitinase from red sea bream, Pagrus major

Kinetic analysis was done on the 46-kDa chitinase (EC 3.2.1.14) purified from the stomach of red sea bream, Pagrus major, using glycolchitin and N-acetylchitooligosaccharides (GlcNAc(n), n=2-6) as substrates. High activity was observed at two pHs, such as 2.5 and 9.0, toward glycolchitin as seen in other insect chitinases, and also at both pH 2.5 and 5.0 even toward a short substrate, N-acetylchitopentasaccharide. Allosamidin competitively inhibited chitinase with Ki value of 0.0214 microM at pH 2.5 and 0.0024 microM at pH 9.0 in the reaction of glycolchitin. Substrate inhibition was observed in the reaction of N-acetylchitopentasaccharide. The anomeric forms of the products from N-acetylchitooligosaccharides were analyzed to be beta anomer by the high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) method. The data for both beta-anomer formation and allosamidin inhibition suggest that red sea bream chitinase belongs to family 18 of glycosyl hydrolases. This suggestion is also supported by the results for the N-terminal amino acid sequence.     

pH值对香蕉枯萎病菌4号生理小种生长的影响

【背景】香蕉枯萎病菌4号生理小种(镰刀菌)是香蕉产业的致命威胁。已有研究表明土壤pH值越高,香蕉枯萎病发病率越低,但是现有pH值对镰刀菌影响的研究大都是用强酸强碱调节pH值,pH值没有缓冲体系保护,而且尚未检测试验终点时介质的pH值。此外,关于pH值对香蕉枯萎病菌4号生理小种(Foc4)影响的研究尚不系统,难以用于指导生产实践。【目的】为系统地了解土壤酸碱度对Foc4生长的影响。【方法】在pH 3.0-11.0之间设定9个pH值梯度,模拟酸性到碱性土壤pH值条件,于室内培养条件下系统研究pH值对Foc4生长、产孢、孢子萌发的影响及其生长过程对环境pH值的影响。【结果】弱酸性至中性环境(pH 5.0-7.0)最适宜于香蕉枯萎病菌的生长、产孢和孢子萌发。弱碱性处理(pH8.0和pH9.0)孢子平均萌发率较弱酸性环境处理(pH5.0和pH6.0)下降了73.1%。与pH 6.0酸性处理相比,pH 8.0和pH 9.0处理的产孢量分别下降了52.3%和68.1%。【结论】香蕉枯萎病菌Foc4生长和萌发过程会产酸,但是在缓冲体系液体培养基中,除了pH 9.0和pH10.0处理终点培养液pH值分别下降了0.34和0.27个单位外,其它处理起始和终点的pH值无差异。说明在缓冲体系液体培养基中的研究结果可以反映环境pH值对Foc4生长和萌发的影响。在作物可以生长的pH值范围内(pH5.0-9.0),碱性和微碱性条件(pH8.0-9.0)能明显抑制Foc4生长、产孢和孢子萌发。     

Novel acid sensitivity induced in Escherichia coli at alkaline pH

Transfer of pH 7.0-grown Escherichia coli to pH 9.0 led to rapid acid sensitivity induction (ASI), the response being fully accomplished within 15 min at 37°C in broth. Only a slight increase in acid sensitivity occurred at pH 8.2 but the response was substantial at pH 8.4 and complete at pH 9.0 with no further sensitization at pH 9.5–10.5. ASI was not prevented by lesions in rpoH, katF, ompR, relA, spoT, fur, phoU, phoM (CreC), phoB/R, unc(atp), phoP or cadA and was unaffected by nalidixic acid, L-leucine or iron starvation or excess. Full acid sensitivity was maintained for at least 2 h after a shift from pH 9.0 back to pH 7.0. ASI did not depend to a major extent on PhoE derepression and increased acid sensitivity of alkali-induced strain C75a ( phoE⁺ ) probably did not involve use of a new outer membrane proton pore.     

A fluorescence study of the effects of pH and Mg2+ on the conformation of fructose 1,6-diphosphatase from spinach chloroplasts.

2-p-Toluidino-naphthalene-6-sulfonate is a sensitive fluorescent reporter group which can be used for the detection of the conformation of fructose 1,6-diphosphatase from spinach chloroplasts. When fructose 1,6-diphosphatase was added to a dilute solution of 2-p-toluidino-naphthalene-6-sulfonate at pH 9.0, the fluorescence intensity gradually increased. At this pH, the enzyme activity decreased at the same rate. However, at neutral pH (7.5), this time-dependent fluorescence change was not observed. In the presence of Mg2+, which is an activator of the enzyme, the fluorescence intensity was increased instantly and did not change for 30 min in the pH range 8.0--9.0. From the concentration dependence of the fluorescence intensity, the dissociation constant for Mg2+ was determined, Kdis = 3 mM. The effects of pH and Mg2+ on the conformation and activity of chloroplast fructose 1,6-diphosphatase are discussed.     

Chromosomal features and evolution of Bromeliaceae

New cytological information and chromosome counts are presented for 19 taxa of 15 genera of the Bromeliaceae, among them, data for 15 taxa and five genera are reported for the first time. The basic number x = 25 is confirmed and polyploidy seems to be the main evolutionary mechanism in Bromeliaceae. Most of the analyzed species presented 2n = 50. Polyploids have been detected in Deinacanthon urbanianum with 2n = ca.160 and Bromelia laciniosa with 2n = ca.150. In Deuterocohnia lorentziana we observed individuals with two different ploidy levels (2n = 50 and 2n = 100) growing together in the same pot. Ayensua uaipanensis showed the uncommon number 2n = 46. After triple staining with CMA₃/Actinomycin/DAPI one or two CMA⁺/DAPI⁻ bands could be observed in the studied species (Aechmea bromeliifolia, Greigia sphacelata and Ochagavia litoralis). The role of these features in the evolution of the family is discussed, revealing new aspects of the evolution of the Bromeliaceae.     

K+ Uptake by Fermenting Escherichia coli Cells: pH Dependent Mode of the TrkA System Operating

Escherichia coli accumulates K⁺ by means of multiple transportsystems, of which TrkA is the most prominent at neutral and alkalinepH while Kup is major at acidic pH. In the present study, K⁺ uptakewas observed with cells grown under fermentative conditions at an initialpH of 9.0 and 7.3 (the medium pH decreased to 8.4 and 6.8, respectively,during the mid-logarithmic growth phase), washed with distilled water andresuspended in a K⁺ containing medium at pH 7.5 in the presence ofglucose. The kinetics for this K⁺ uptake and the amount of K⁺accumulated by the wild type and mutants having a functional TrkA orKup could confirm that K⁺ uptake by E. coli grown either at pH 9.0or pH 7.3 occurs mainly through TrkA. The following results distinguishpH dependent mode of TrkA operating: (1) K⁺ uptake was inhibited byDCCD in cells grown either at pH 9.0 or pH 7.3, although the stoichiometryof K⁺ influx to DCCD-inhibited H⁺ efflux for bacteria grownat pH 9.0 varied with external K⁺ concentration, but remained constantfor cells grown at pH 7.3; (2) K⁺ uptake was observed with an atpDmutant grown at pH 9.0 but not at pH 7.3; (3) The DCCD-inhibited H⁺efflux was increased 8-fold less by 5 mM K⁺ added into a K⁺ freemedium for bacteria grown at pH 9.0 than that for cells grown at pH 7.3;(4) the DCCD-inhibited ATPase activity of membrane vesicles from bacteriagrown at pH 9.0 was reduced a little in the presence of 100 mM K⁺,but stimulated more than 2.4-fold at pH 7.3.     

Spectroscopic Properties of Siroheme Extracted from Sulfite Reductases

Siroheme has been extracted from sulfite reductases and its properties in aqueous solution have been investigated by optical absorption, electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), and magnetic circular dichroism (MDC) spectroscopy. The absorption spectrum of siroheme exhibits a marked pH dependence, and two pK values, 4.2 and 9.0, were determined by pH titration in the range 2–12. The first pK (4.2) is thought to correspond to the ionization of the carboxylic acid side-chains on the tetrapyrrole rings, and the second pK (9.0) is attributed to displacement of the axial ligand chloride by hydroxide. The binding of the strong field ligands, CO, NO, and cyanide, were investigated by UV-visible absorption and, in the case of the cyanide complex, by low-temperature EPR and MCD spectroscopies. CO and NO were able to reduce and bind to siroheme without additional reducing agent. The EPR spectrum of the isolated siroheme (chloride-ferrisiroheme) exhibits an axial signal with g_XXX = 6.0 and ^g= 2.0, typical of high-spin ferric hemes (S = 5/2), whereas the cyanide-complexed siroheme exhibits an approximately axial signal with g_XXX = 2.38 and _g = 1.76 that is indicative of a low-spin ferric heme (S = 1/2). The low-temperature MCD spectra and magnetization data for the as-isolated and cyanide-complexed ferrisiroheme are entirely consistent with the interpretation of the EPR spectra. The results for ferrosiroheme indicate that the siroheme remains high spin (S = 2) and low spin (S = 0) on reduction of the as-isolated and cyanide-complexed siroheme, respectively. The isolated siroheme expressed sulfite reductase activity but the assessable catalytic cycle was much less than that of the native enzyme, showing the importance of the protein environment.