The mechanism of phosphoglucomutase from Micrococcus lysodeikticus

The mechanism of the phosphoglucomutase from Micrococcus lysodeikticus was investigated. Induced-transport tests at low substrate concentrations (0.15mm) showed co-transport of the (32)P label but no induced transport of the (14)C label, which is in quantitative agreement with a phosphoenzyme mechanism with a rapid isomerization of the phosphoenzyme. The results excluded an intramolecular transfer of phosphate and could only have been compatible with a sequential mechanism if the K(m) for glucose 1-phosphate had been over 20 times smaller than the measured value. The results of induced-transport tests at intermediate concentrations (1mm) with both labels agreed quantitatively with a phosphoenzyme mechanism, and induced-transport tests with (14)C-labelled substrates at high concentrations (26mm) indicated that the rate constants for isomerization of the phosphoenzyme must be greater than about 3x10(6)s(-1). Consistent with these findings is the fact that (14)C label exchanged between the substrates twice as rapidly as the (32)P label at chemical equilibrium. Further, since the (14)C label exchanged between the substrates about ten times more rapidly than between the substrates and glucose 1,6-diphosphate, glucose 1,6-diphosphate is not an obligatory intermediate in the interconversion of the substrates. It is concluded that, contrary to previous evidence, the mechanism of the enzyme from M. lysodeikticus is essentially that of the rabbit muscle enzyme. To account for the rapid isomerization of the phosphoenzyme in both cases a mechanism is proposed in which there is no formal isomerization of the phosphoenzyme.     

The kinetics of ATP-dependent exonuclease V from Micrococcus lysodeikticus. A Michaelian dependence on DNA concentration.

The ATP-dependent exonuclease V from Micrococcus lysodekticus shows a Michaelian relation between steady-state velocity and the concentration of T7 DNA substrate. The Km (expressed as a mass concentration) does not change when the T7 DNA is broken into smaller fragments by a restriction enzyme. This is interpreted to mean that the predominant process by which the exonuclease-V--DNA complex breaks down is digestion of the entire DNA molecule rather than physical dissociation, in accord with the already known processive nature of degradation by this enzyme. The way that the V and Km towards DNA vary with ATP and ADP concentration suggests that enzyme-DNA complex is predominantly formed by reaction of DNA with an enzyme-ATP complex rather than with bare enzyme.     

Partial characterization of membrane-associated proteinases from Micrococcus lysodeikticus

Summary We have identified cytoplasmic and membrane-associated proteinases from Micrococcus lysodeikticus (M. luteus) by the use of ¹²⁵I-labeled casein and insulin as substrates. The membrane-associated activities were released by shock washing. Proteolytic activities showed pH optima at slightly alkaline values and we have concentrated on the activities at pH 8.0. The total units of both proteolytic activities were higher in the cytoplasmic than in any other fractions but the situation was different when the results were expressed in terms of specific activity. The activities against casein and insulin were differentiated by the action of inhibitors, divalent metal ions, Arrhenius plots and dependence on ionic strength. On these grounds, it is proposed that the membrane-associated enzyme acting on insulin is a single thiol proteinase while the proteolysis of casein reflects the action of, at least, two enzymes (thiol proteinase and serine proteinase). The distinction between the casein and insulin degrading activities was confirmed by crossed-inhibition experiments and by their behaviour on gel chromatography and concentration-dependent experiments.The aggregating properties have hampered the purification of the enzymes. The present results raise doubts about the significance of preventing membrane damage and degradation of membrane proteins by the addition of indiscriminated proteinase inhibitors during membrane isolation and manipulation.     

Cation-binding Capacity of Membranes Isolated from Micrococcus lysodeikticus

A study was made of H(+), Na(+), K(+), Ca(++), and Mg(++) binding and ion-exchange properties of the plasma-mesosome membrane system isolated from Micrococcus lysodeikticus strain NCTC 2665. Titration curves were obtained on membranes prepared according to the method of M. R. J. Salton and further exposed to pH 4 for 4 hr (membranes-H). The dissociation coefficients and binding capacities were obtained by applying the mass law equation and the plot of G. Schatchard to the data. The membranes-H possess four kinds of dissociable groups with pK 4.96, 4.18, 3.60, and 3.09, respectively, and a total binding capacity of 0.65 meq/g (dry weight). Potentiometric titrations of cations in the presence and in the absence of membranes-H show that cations (Na(+), K(+), Ca(++), and Mg(++)) are bound by the dissociated groups of the membrane. The fall in pH value for bivalent cations is greater than that for monovalent cations. Cations of the same valency produce equal diminutions on pH. Furthermore, ion-exchange tests carried out on membranes saturated with Mg(++) or Na(+) and suspended in a medium containing (45)Ca show that the cations are reversibly bound.     

Membrane-reversible H+-ATPase from Micrococcus lysodeikticus.

Treatment of phosphorylating fragments of bacterial membrane from Micrococcus lysodeikticus with trypsin leads to increase ATPase activity. As a result of this treatment, the membrane fragments acquire the ability to transform the ATP energy into transmembrane difference in potential. Dithiothreitol has a similar effect to that of trypsin on the membrane fragments from M. lysodeikticus. Dicyclohexylcarbodimide inhibits ATPase of the membrane fragments of M. lysodeikticus, and also the ATPase-reaction-coupled generation of membrane potential. It has been suggested that the increased ATPase activity of membranes from M. lysodeikticus during treatment with trypsin and dithiothreitol is connected with the effect of these agents on the protein inhibitor of ATPase.     

Purification and properties of the latent F1-APTase of Micrococcus lysodeikticus.

The latent coupling factor (F1)-ATPase of Micrococcus lysodeikticus has been purified to homogeneity as determined by a number of criteria including, nondenaturing polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, crossed immunoelectrophoresis and analytical ultracentrifugation. By inclusion of 1 mM phenylmethyl sulfonyl fluoride, a serine protease inhibitor, in the shock-wash step of release of F1 from the membranes, the spontaneous activation of both crude and purified ATPase by endogenous membrane protease(s) can be prevented, thereby yielding a highly latent ATPase preparation. Equilibrium ultracentrifugation of the latent ATPase gave a molecular weight of 400 000. The ATPase contained five different subunits alpha, beta, gamma, delta, and espsilon and their molecular weights determined by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis were 60 000, 54 000, 37 000, 27 000 and 9000, respectively. The subunit composition was determined with 14C-labelled, F1-ATPase prepared from cells grown on medium containing [U-14C]-labelled algal protein hydrolysate. Within the limitations of this method the results tentatively suggest a subunit composition of 3 : 3 : 1 : 1 : 3.     

The carotenoid pigments of Micrococcus lysodeikticus

The physical and chemical properties of the carotenoid pigments of Micrococcus lysodeikticus have been determined. Following saponification, at least seven different pigments can be separated by column-chromatographic procedures. These pigments have similar absorption spectra but differ in polarity. The absorption spectra of these bacterial pigments are similar to those of the carotenoid neurosporene. Polar pigments predominate and no hydrocarbon carotenoids have been detected.Absorption maxima, partition coefficients, reaction to I₂ and acids and melting points were determined.The nature of the polar groupings present in these pigments and their relation to other bacterial pigments are discussed.