Photon correlation spectroscopy, total intensity light scattering with laser radiation, and hydrodynamic studies of a well fractionated DNA sample.

A Malvern laser light-scattering instrument has been modified for use at scattering angles down to 5° and both total intensity and quasi-elastic scattering experiments. A sample of sheared, length-fractionated calf-thymus DNA was characterized by sedimentation, viscosity and electron microscopy. Quasi-elastic scattering and absolute intensity determinations were performed with the laser instrument and intensity determinations only with a Fica conventional light-scattering photometer. The total intensity experiments gave M?_w = (3.75 ± 0.15) × 10⁶ and 〈R²〉^1/2_z = (206.9 ± 10.3) nm which yielded a value for the persistence length, allowing for polydispersity, of 66 ± 6nm. The quasi-elastic experiments at scattering angles below 20° gave D⁰_{20, w} = (2.23 ± 0.06) × 10^?8 cm²/sec which combined with S⁰_{20, w} = 15.6 in the Svedberg equation gave M?_w = (3.73 ± 0.18) × 10⁶. In addition, from the higher angle data we extracted a value of the longest intramolecular relaxation time, τ1 of 17.5 msec. This is not in particularly good agreement with τ1 predicted by the Zimm–Rouse theory using our other experimental parameters. The disagreement may be due to the restricted applicability of the Zimm–Rouse spring-bead model as a quantitative representation of DNA molecules. Alternatively, it may be due to present difficulties in the unambiguous interpretation of molecular motions from the experimental autocorrelation functions.     

Light scattering studies of supercoiled and nicked DNA

Static and dynamic light scattering measurements were made of solutions of pGem1a plasmids (3730 base pairs) in the relaxed circular (nicked) and supercoiled forms. The static structure factor and the spectrum of decay modes in the autocorrelation function were examined in order to determine the salient differences between the behaviors of nicked DNA and supercoiled DNA. The concentrations studied are within the dilute regime, which is to say that the structure and dynamics of an isolated DNA molecule were probed. Static light scattering measurements yielded estimates for the molecular weight M, second virial coefficient A₂, and radius of gyration R_G. For the nicked DNA, M = (2.8 ± 0.4) × 10⁶g/mol, A₂ = (0.9 ± 0.2) × 10⁻³ mol cm³/g², and R_G = 90 ± 3 nm were obtained. For the supercoiled DNA, M = (2.5 ± 0.4) × 10⁶ g/mol, A₂ = (1.2 ± 0.2) × 10⁻³ mol cm³/g², and R_G = 82 ± 2.5 nm were obtained. The static structure factors for the nicked and supercoiled DNA were found to superpose when they were scaled by the radius of gyration. The intrinsic stiffness of DNA was evident in the static light scattering data. Homodyne intensity autocorrelation functions were collected for both DNAs at several angles, or scattering vectors. At the smallest scattering vectors the probe size was comparable to the longest intramolecular distance, while at the largest scattering vectors the probe size was smaller than the persistence length of the DNA. Values of the self-diffusion coefficients D were obtained from the low-angle data. For the nicked DNA, D = (2.9 ± 0.3) × 10⁻⁸ cm²/s, and for the supercoiled DNA, D = (4.11 ± 0.21) × 10⁻⁸ cm²/s. The contribution to the correlation function from the internal dynamics of the DNA was seen to result in a strictly bimodal decay function. The rates of the faster mode Γ_int, reached plateau values at low angles. For the nicked DNA, Γ_int = 2500 ± 500 s⁻¹, and for the supercoiled DNA, Γ_int = 5000 ± 500 s⁻¹. These rates correspond to the slowest internal relaxation modes of the DNAs. The dependence of the relaxation rates on scattering vector was monitored with the aid of cumulants analysis and compared with theoretical predictions for the semiflexible ring molecule. The internal mode rates and the dependence of the cumulants moments reflected the difference between the nicked DNA and the supercoiled DNA dynamical behavior. The supercoiled DNA behavior seen here indicates that conformational dynamics might play a larger role in DNA behavior than is suggested by the notion of a branched interwound structure. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

A ketopentyl transition state analog for acetylcholinesterase.

4-oxo-N,N,N-trimethylpentanaminium chloride is a competitive inhibitor of eel acetylcholinesterase with K_I = 8 × 10^?6 M at 25°, 0.1 M NaCl, 0.04 M MgCl₂, pH 7.5. Its binding decreases at low pH with pK_a = 6.0. N,N,N-trimethylpentanaminium bromide has K_I = 4 × 10^?4 M under the same conditions. Its binding also decreases with pH with pK_a = 5.35. Comparison with literature data indicates that the ketone binds much more strongly than substrates and that its binding shows the pH dependence expected for a transition state analog.     

Very low-angle light scattering. A characterization method for high-molecular-weight DNA

A very low-angle light-scattering photometer is described with respect to optical features, scattering cell, correction factors, and absolute calibration in the angular range 2°–35°. An improved microfiltration apparatus was used to obtain essentially dust-free aqueous solutions for very low-angle light scattering. The instrument was calibrated with silicotungstic acid, an absolute molecular-weight standard, and the calibration was confirmed with the use of several secondary standards. Very low-angle light-scattering measurements were made to determine the weight-average molecular weight M?_r and z-average radius of gyration R_g,z of a commerical preparation of calf-thymus DNA. Microfiltration of the solutions allowed measurements down to 6°. The value M?_r = 20.0 × 10⁶ obtained by extrapolating 6°–9° data to 0° is more than three times that from 30°–75° data (6.38 × 10⁶) but ～20% smaller than that from 10–35° data (23.7 × 10⁶). The experimental errors in M?_r and R_g,z are estimated to be ±8% and ±14%, respectively. Combined 6°–75° data from two photometers fit well a theoretical scattering curve for a model wormlike coil of the same M?_r as the DNA sample.     

A quasi-elastic laser light scattering study of tubulin and microtubule protein from bovine brain

Quasi-elastic light scattering has been used to characterize the oligomeric properties of solutions of glycerol-cycled bovine microtubule protein, and the properties of the 30 S oligomeric species and 6 S tubulin heterodimer prepared by gel filtration on Sepharose 6B. It is shown that in dimer preparations, as little as 0.04% by number of 30 S rings would account for the difference between an observed mean diffusion coefficient D_{20, W} = 3.1 × 10^?7 cm² s^?1 and the value of D_{20, W} = 5.1 × 10^?7 cm² s^?1 calculated for tubulin dimer of M_rel 100,000. The 30 S ring has an observed diffusion coefficient of D_{20, W} = 0.49 × 10^?7 cm² s^?1. These values are not changed significantly by the presence of 4 m-glycerol, indicating the persistence of 6 S and 30 S forms for dimer and ring, respectively.Mixtures of ring and dimer components of this preparation behave as a non-interacting two-component system, indicating the absence of substantial re-equilibration between the species at 5 °C and pH 6.5.The effect of salt on ring and microtubule protein samples indicates partial dissociation, consistent with the formation of additional intermediate oligomeric forms.In quasi-elastic light scattering measurements adapted to kinetic studies, changes in the oligomeric composition of microtubule protein are detected in the early stages of the reversible assembly process at pH 6.5. A 25% decrease in scattered light intensity, without significant change in mean diffusion coefficient, indicates the lability of the ring oligomeric structures, which undergo partial transformation to alternative oligomeric species under these assembly conditions.     

Biochemical basis of hyper-recombinogenic activity of Pseudomonas aeruginosa RecA protein in Escherichia coli cells

The replacement of Escherichia coli recA gene (recA_Ec) with the Pseudomonas aeruginosa recA_Pa gene in Escherichia coli cells results in constitutive hyper-recombination (high frequency of recombination exchanges per unit length of DNA) in the absence of constitutive SOS response. To understand the biochemical basis of this unusual in vivo phenotype, we compared in vitro the recombination properties of RecA_Pa protein with those of RecA_Ec protein. Consistent with hyper-recombination activity, RecA_Pa protein appeared to be more proficient both in joint molecule formation, producing extensive DNA networks in strand exchange reaction, and in competition with single-stranded DNA binding (SSB) protein for single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) binding sites. The RecA_Pa protein showed in vitro a normal ability for cleavage of the E. coli LexA repressor (a basic step in SOS regulon derepression) both in the absence and in the presence (i.e. even under suboptimal conditions for RecA_Ec protein) of SSB protein. However, unlike other hyper-recombinogenic proteins, such as RecA441 and RecA730, RecA_Pa protein displaced insufficient SSB protein from ssDNA at low magnesium concentration to induce the SOS response constitutively. In searching for particular characteristics of RecA_Pa in comparison with RecA_Ec, RecA441 and RecA803 proteins, RecA_Pa showed unusually high abilities: to be resistant to the displacement by SSB protein from poly(dT); to stabilize a ternary complex RecA::ATP::ssDNA to high salt concentrations; and to be much more rapid in both the nucleation of double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) and the steady-state rate of dsDNA-dependent ATP hydrolysis at pH 7.5. We hypothesized that the high affinity of RecA_Pa protein for ssDNA, and especially dsDNA, is the factor that directs the ternary complex to bind secondary DNA to initiate additional acts of recombination instead of to bind LexA repressor to induce constitutive SOS response.     

Kinetics of imidazole addition to the axial site of the iron(II) complex of 2, 3, 9,10-tetraphenyl-1,4, 8,11-tetraaza-1,3, 8,10-cyclotetradecatetraene in dimethyl sulfoxide. Evidence for a dissociative-interchange mechanism

The axial adduct formation of the iron(II) complex of 2,3,9,10-tetraphenyl-l,4,8,11-tetraaza-1,3,8,10-cyclotetradecatetraene (L) with imidazole in dimethyl sulfoxide has been investigated spectrophotometrically at various temperatures and pressures. In the presence of a large excess of imidazole the reaction with the two phases has been observed. The first faster reaction is the formation of the monoimidazole complex of FeL²⁺, and the second slower reaction corresponds to the formation of the bisimidazole complex. Activation parameters are as follows: for the first step with k₁ (25.0°C) = (6.8 ±0.2)×10⁵ mol⁻¹ kg s⁻¹, ΔH³₁ = 47.5 ± 4.9 kJ mol⁻¹, ΔS³₁ = 26±16 J K⁻¹ mol⁻¹, and ΔV³₁ (30.0°C) = 27.2±1.5 cm³ mol⁻¹; for the second step with k₂ (25.0°C) = 26.8±0.8 mol⁻¹ kg s⁻¹, ΔH³₂ = 91.6± 0.8 kJ mol⁻¹, ΔS³₂ = 90±3 J K⁻¹ mol⁻¹, and ΔV³₂ (35.0°C) = 21.8±0.9 cm³ mol⁻¹. The large positive activation volumes strongly indicate a dissociative character of the activation process.     

Less Is More: Neisseria gonorrhoeae RecX Protein Stimulates Recombination by Inhibiting RecA

Escherichia coli RecX (RecX_Ec) is a negative regulator of RecA activities both in the bacterial cell and in vitro. In contrast, the Neisseria gonorrhoeae RecX protein (RecX_Ng) enhances all RecA-related processes in N. gonorrhoeae. Surprisingly, the RecX_Ng protein is not a RecA protein activator in vitro. Instead, RecX_Ng is a much more potent inhibitor of all RecA_Ng and RecA_Ec activities than is the E. coli RecX ortholog. A series of RecX_Ng mutant proteins representing a gradient of functional deficiencies provide a direct correlation between RecA_Ng inhibition in vitro and the enhancement of RecA_Ng function in N. gonorrhoeae. Unlike RecX_Ec, RecX_Ng does not simply cap the growing ends of RecA filaments, but it directly facilitates a more rapid RecA filament disassembly. Thus, in N. gonorrhoeae, recombinational processes are facilitated by RecX_Ng protein-mediated limitations on RecA_Ng filament presence and/or length to achieve maximal function.     

Translational and rotational diffusion of tobacco mosaic virus from polarized and depolarized light scattering

The translational and rotational dynamics of tobacco mosaic virus in sodium phosphate buffer (pH =7.5) solutions has been investigated by polarized and depolarized light scattering Rayleigh linewidth studies. For concentrations ranging from 1.75 × 10^?4 g ml^?1 to 0.25 × 10^?4 g ml^?1 the translational diffusion coefficient (D_T) has been found to be slightly concentration dependent and extrapolation to zero concentration gives D₀^20°C = 0.34 ± 0.01 × 10^?7 cm²S^?1. A full analysis of the polarized spectra obtained at high and low scattering angles and the depolarized spectra at near zero scattering angles has enabled these techniques to be compared and the rotational diffusion constant D_R to be determined. At a solution concentration of 1.75 × 10^?4 g ml^?1 a mean value is found to be D_R^20°C = 350 ± 30s^?1. These values of D_T and D_R are in approximate agreement with calculations based on models of the tobacco mosaic virus molecule as a cylindrical rod.     

Kinetic and equilibrium studies of cyclomalto-octaose (γ-cyclodextrin)-methyl orange inclusion complexes

Measurements of the equilibrium and temperature-jump u.v., visible, and induced c.d. spectra of Methyl Orange (MO) in the presence of cyclomalto-octaose (γ-cyclodextrin, γ-CD) have been carried out. Three mechanistic steps were detected through the temperature-jump data (25.0°):

where K₁, K₂, and K₃ are 45 (±7), 2.0 (±1.1) × 10⁶, and 6.1 (±2.5) × 10³ dm³.mol^?1, respectively, k₂ = 9.4 (±5.1) × 10⁹ dm³.mol^?1.s^?1, and k_?2 = 4.8 (±0.8) × 10³ s^?1. The equilibrium u.v./visible data are also consistent with this reaction scheme. The high stability of the dimer inclusion complex (MO)₂ · γ-CD compared to that of the monomer inclusion complex MO · γ-CD appears to be related to the annular diameter of γ-CD and demonstrates a degree of selectivity in cyclodextrin inclusion complexes. The (MO)₂ · (γ-CD)₂ complex also contains a dimer, included by both γ-CD molecules.     

Joining of bacteriophage T4D heads and tails: A kinetic study by inelastic light scattering

We have used inelastic laser light scattering to study the kinetics of the spontaneous assembly of heads and tails of bacteriophage T4D to form noninfectious tail fiberless particles. For interpretation of the kinetics, it was first necessary to determine the physical properties of the strongly scattering phage parts. For heads, these are D_{20,w = 3.60 × 10⁻⁸cm²/s, 820,w = 1025 S, M = 1.76 × 10⁸}. For tail fiberless particles, D_20,w = 3.14 × 10⁻⁸cm²/s, 8_20,w = 968 S, and M = 1.95 × 10⁸. The kinetics of the head-tail joining process was followed by measuring the time variation of the homodyne scattering autocorrelation function. This was interpreted as a sum of exponentials whose decay constants were known from the scattering angle and the diffusion coefficients, and whose amplitudes were related to the concentrations of reactants and products. Scattering experiments at 22 °C gave a bimolecular rate constant of 1.02 × 10⁷m⁻¹ s⁻¹, while infectivity assays at 30 °C gave a rate constant of 1.28 × 10⁷. Adjustment of both rate constants to 20 °C, assuming diffusion controlled reaction, gave 0.97 × 10⁷ and 0.98 × 10⁷m⁻¹ s⁻¹, respectively. This rate is about $\text{1}\text{500}$ that predicted by Smoluchowski theory for a diffusion controlled reaction between two spherical particles; the discrepancy is largely explicable from orientational factors.     

Isolation and characterisation of Hfr strains from a recombination-deficient strain of Escherichia coli

Summary A T6^s RecA^- strain carrying a lac proB deletion and F_ts lac ⁺ was challenged with phage T6 and survivors which were both T6^r and Lac⁺ at 42° were tested for fertility. Among these were a number of Hfr strains which had their points of origin at or near the tsx locus and which still carried the recA allele. These arose in comparable frequencies in the RecA^- strain and in a Rec⁺ analogue. We conclude that such integration does not require the RecA function. The rate of chromosome transfer was similar in one such RecA^- Hfr and its Rec⁺ derivative; the yield of recombinants from the RecA^- strain was slightly lower than from its Rec⁺ derivative.     

Solvent‐dependent conformation of amylose tris(phenylcarbamate) as deduced from scattering and viscosity data

The z‐average mean‐square radius of gyration 〈S²〉_z, the particle scattering function P(k), the second virial coefficient, and the intrinsic viscosity [η] have been determined for amylose tris(phenylcarbamate) (ATPC) in methyl acetate (MEA) at 25°C, in ethyl acetate (EA) at 33°C, and in 4‐methyl‐2‐pentanone (MIBK) at 25°C by light and small‐angle X‐ray scattering and viscometry as functions of the weight‐average molecular weight in a range from 2 × 10⁴ to 3 × 10⁶. The first two solvents attain the theta state, whereas the last one is a good solvent for the amylose derivative. Analysis of the 〈S²〉_z, P(k), and [η] data based on the wormlike chain yields h (the contour length or helix pitch per repeating unit) = 0.37 ± 0.02 and λ^?1 (the Kuhn segment length) = 15 ± 2 nm in MEA, h = 0.39 ± 0.02 and λ^?1 = 17 ± 2 nm in EA, and h = 0.42 ± 0.02 nm and λ^?1 = 24 ± 2 nm in MIBK. These h values, comparable with the helix pitches (0.37–0.40 nm) per residue of amylose triesters in the crystalline state, are somewhat larger than the previously determined h of 0.33 ± 0.02 nm for ATPC in 1,4‐dioxane and 2‐ethoxyethanol, in which intramolecular hydrogen bonds are formed between the C?O and NH groups of the neighbor repeating units. The slightly extended helices of ATPC in the ketone and ester solvents are most likely due to the replacement of those hydrogen bonds by intermolecular hydrogen bonds between the NH groups of the polymer and the carbonyl groups of the solvent. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers 91: 729–736, 2009. This article was originally published online as an accepted preprint. The “Published Online” date corresponds to the preprint version. You can request a copy of the preprint by emailing the Biopolymers editorial office at biopolymers@wiley.com     

Molecular determinants of the DprA?RecA interaction for nucleation on ssDNA

Natural transformation is a major mechanism of horizontal gene transfer in bacteria that depends on DNA recombination. RecA is central to the homologous recombination pathway, catalyzing DNA strand invasion and homology search. DprA was shown to be a key binding partner of RecA acting as a specific mediator for its loading on the incoming exogenous ssDNA. Although the 3D structures of both RecA and DprA have been solved, the mechanisms underlying their cross-talk remained elusive. By combining molecular docking simulations and experimental validation, we identified a region on RecA, buried at its self-assembly interface and involving three basic residues that contact an acidic triad of DprA previously shown to be crucial for the interaction. At the core of these patches, ^DprAM238 and ^RecAF230 are involved in the interaction. The other DprA binding regions of RecA could involve the N-terminal α-helix and a DNA-binding region. Our data favor a model of DprA acting as a cap of the RecA filament, involving a DprA−RecA interplay at two levels: their own oligomeric states and their respective interaction with DNA. Our model forms the basis for a mechanistic explanation of how DprA can act as a mediator for the loading of RecA on ssDNA.     

Respiratory and calcium transport properties of spiny lobster hepatopancreas mitochondria

Mitochondria were isolated from the hepatopancreas of the Florida spiny lobster Panulirus argus using a high osmolarity medium containing 600 mm mannitol, 83 mm sucrose, 5 mm 4-morpholinepropanesulfonic acid, pH 7.6, 0.5% bovine serum albumin (BSA), and 1 mm EDTA. O₂ uptake and Ca²⁺ transport were measured by electrode methods in similar media (plus 4 mm KP_i, 3.3 mm MgCl₂, and 0.67 mg/ml BSA, with 80 mm KCl replacing a portion of the osmotic support). Substrate-supported respiration was observed to be coupled to phosphorylation of ADP or uptake of Ca²⁺ ions. State 3 rates (nanogram atoms O × minute^?1 × milligram protein^?1 ± SEM (N)) were: 49.2 ± 3.9 (19), succinate; 30.9 ± 3.9 (6), dl-palmitoyl carnitine; 29.0 ± 2.7 (9), l-malate; 40.0 ± 2.3 (3), l-glutamate; 27.7 ± 2.2 (5), d-3-hydroxybutyrate; and 26.4 ± 2.4 (18), l-proline ± pyruvate. α-Glycerol phosphate was not oxidized. Ca²⁺ uptake driven by succinate oxidation proceeded with Ca:O ratios of 4.0 ± 0.2 (SEM). Hepatopancreas mitochondria were not uncoupled by Ca²⁺ uptake in excess of 1100 ng atoms × mg protein^?1. Ca²⁺ efflux could be induced by ruthenium red, indicating the presence of an active Ca²⁺ cycle. These mitochondria may provide a favorable model system in which to study regulation of the Ca²⁺ cycle.     

Inelastic light scattering studies of solutions of the chloroplast coupling factor (CF1) at high and low ionic strength

The translational diffusion coefficient of CF₁ at low and high protein concentration as well as at different ionic strength (0.05 – 1.65 M) wsa determined by means of quasi-elastic light scattering experiments. The diffusion coefficient changes from D_20,w^o = 3.12 × 10^?7 cm² · sec^?1 at 0.05 M, pH 7.8, 20°C, to D_20,w^o = 3.52 × 10^?7 cm² · sec^?1 at 1.6 M, pH 7.8, 20°C. At high enzyme concentration (20 mg/ml) and under crystallization conditions (Paradies, BBRC 91: 685, 1979) CF₁ behaves as a solution of “true” hard spheres, whereas at low salt concentration the ionic atmosphere has a larger spatial extent, resulting in a higher effective hydrodynamic radius (R_H = 65 Å).     

Activation parameters for directly determined first order rate constants for outer sphere electron transfer reactions,and crystal structure of a pertinent pentaammine of CoIII

The outer sphere reductions of Co(NH₃)₅B³⁺ by Fe(CN)₅A³⁻ have been studied. The observed pseudo first order rate constants (Co complex in excess) obey the dependence k_obs=K_osk_et[Co]/(1 +K_os[Co]), as expected for outer sphere electron transfer reactions. Values of the fundamental electron transfer rate constants k_et have been determined, along with the equilibrium constant K_os for a range of reactions in which A and B are pyridyl ligands of different sizes. The first order electron transfer rate constants vary in a manner that is consistcnt with adiabatic electron transfer. The outer sphere ion pairing equilibrium constants K_os have been calculated: K_os=8.6 ± 0.1 × 10² M⁻¹ when A and B=pyridine; K_os=1.07 ± 0.09 × 10³ M⁻¹ where A=pyridine, B=1-phenyl-3-(4-pyridyl)propane; K_os=1.86 ± 0.11 × 10³ M⁻¹ when A=4,4′-bipyridine, B=pyridine; K_os=1.27 ± 0.08 × 10³ M⁻¹ when A=4,4′-bipyridine, B=4-phenylpyridine. Distances of closest approach between the metal centers in the reactive ion pairs are compared, and it is concluded that there is a common mechanism, in which the ammonia side of the cobalt complex approaches the cyano side of the iron complex in each reactive ion pair.The distance of closest approach between the two metal centers (a) was calculated from the experimental values for the ion pairing equilibrium constant K_os at 25 °C: 5.2 Å when A=4,4′-bipyridine, B=pyridine; 5.4 Å when A=4,4′-bipyridine, B=4-phenylpyridine; 5.5 Å when A=pyridine, B=1-phenyl-3-(4-pyridyl)propane; 5.7 Å when A=B=pyridine. These relatively short metal-metal distances, when compared to the X-ray structure of the compound [Co(NH₃)₅(4-phenylpyridine)]₂[S₂O₆]₃· 4H₂O, do not support an ion pair orientation in which the two substituted pyridine ligands A and B are oriented toward each other. [P2₁/c,a=7.399(3), b=22.355(10), c=13.776(4) Å, β=92.02(3)°, R=0.070.] The crystallographic results show that if the two pseudo-octahedral coordination spheres are oriented in the reactive ion pair so that an ammonia face of the cobalt complex is at hydrogen bonding distance from a cyano face on the iron complex, the metal-metal distance is 5.3 Å, a distance which is in agreement with the kinetic results.     

Binding of the Recombinant Proteinase Inhibitor Eglin c,of the Soybean Bowman-Birk Proteinase Inhibitor and of its Chymotrypsin and Trypsin Inhibiting Fragments to Leu-Proteinase,the Leucine Specific Serine Proteinase from Spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) Leaves: Thermodynamic Study

Abstract

The effect of pH and temperature on the apparent association equilibrium constant (K_a) for the binding of the recombinant proteinase inhibitor eglin c (eglin c), of the soybean Bowman-Birk proteinase inhibitor (BBI) and of its chymotrypsin and trypsin inhibiting fragments (F-C and F-T, respetively) to Leuproteinase, the leucine specific serine proteinase from spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) leaves, has been investigated. On lowering the pH from 9.5 to 4.5, values of K_a (at 21°C) for complex formation decrease thus reflecting the acidic pK-shift of the hystidyl catalytic residue from ～6.9, in the free Leu-proteinase, to ～5.1, in the enzyme: inhibitor adducts. At pH 8.0, values of the apparent thermodynamic parameters for the proteinase:inhibitor complex formation are: Leu-proteinase:eglin c - K_a = 2.2 × 10¹¹ M^-1, δG°= - 64kJ/mol, δH° = + 5.9kJ/mol, and δS° = + 240J/molK; Leu-proteinase:BBI - K_a = 3.2 × 10¹⁰ M^-1, δG° = - 59kJ/mol, δH°= + 8.8kJ/mol, and δS° = + 230J/molK; and Leu-proteinase:F-C - K_a = 1.1 × 10⁶ M^-1, δG°= - 34kJ/mol, δH° = + 18J/mol, and δS° = + 180J/molK (values of K_a, δG° and δS° were obtained at 21.0°C; values of δH° were temperature-independent over the range explored, i.e. between 10.0°C and 40.0°C). F-T does not inhibit Leu-proteinase up to an inhibitor concentration of 1.0 × 10^-3 M, suggesting that the upper limit of K_a is 1 × 10² M^-1. Considering the known molecular models, the observed binding behaviour of eglin c, BBI, F-C and F-T to Leu-proteinase has been related to the inferred stereochemistry of the enzyme/inhibitor contact region