Theoretical Conformational Analysis in the Determination of Productive Conformations of Substrates for Acetylcholinesterase and Butyrylcholinesterase

All the equilibrium conformations of 34 analogues of acetylcholine (ACh) with the general formula R-C(O)O-Alk-N⁺(CH₃)₃ are calculated by the method of molecular mechanics. In the series R-C(O)O-(CH₂)₂-N⁺(CH₃)₃, a reliable correlation is found between the molecular volume of the substrate and the rate of its hydrolysis by acetylcholinesterase (AChE); the absence of such a correlation is demonstrated for butyryl-cholinesterase (BChE). Theoretical conformational analysis confirms that the completely extended tt conformation of ACh is productive for the hydrolysis by AChE, which agrees with the results of X-ray analysis of AChE. AChE is shown to hydrolyze only those substrates that form equilibrium conformers compatible in the mutual arrangement of trimethylammonium group, carbonyl carbon, and carbonyl oxygen with the tt conformation of ACh; in this case, the rate of substrate hydrolysis depends on the total population of these conformers. A reliable correlation was found between the population of the semifolded (tg^?) conformation of the choline moiety of substrate molecules and rate of their BChE hydrolysis. In a series of CH₃-C(O)O-Alk-N⁺(CH₃)₃, the rate of BChE hydrolysis is demonstrated to depend on the total population of conformations compatible in the mutual arrangement of functionally important atoms with the tg^? conformation of ACh. The tg^? conformation of ACh is concluded to be productive for BChE hydrolysis. Similar orientations of the substrate molecules relative to the catalytic triads of both AChE and BChE are proven to coincide upon the substrate productive sorption in their active sites. It is hypothesized that the sorption stage is rate-limiting in cholinesterase hydrolysis and the enzyme hydrolyzes the ACh molecule in its energetically favorable conformation.     

Acetylcholinesterase from the horn fly (Diptera: Muscidae) II: Biochemical and molecular properties

Purified acetylcholinesterase (AChE) of the horn fly was characterized to elucidate the enzymological, inhibitory, and molecular properties of the enzyme. Maximum activity of the AChE against the substrate acetylthiocholine (ATCh) occurred when reactions were conducted at 37°C and pH 7.5. Km and V_max values were (9.2 ± 0.35) × 10^?6 M and 239.8 ± 10.8 units/mg, respectively, for ATCh and (1.5 ± 0.07) × 10^?5 M and 138.5 ± 5.5 units/mg, respectively, for butyrylthiocholine (BTCh). The activity of AChE decreased when concentrations of ATCh or BTCh were higher than 1 mM. Studies of the interaction of AChE with different inhibitors revealed pl₅₀ values of 8.88 for eserine, 6.90 for BW284C51, and 4.97 for ethopropazine. Bimolecular reaction constants (k_is) for the organophosphorus (OP) anticholinesterases were (2.74 ± 0.14) × 10⁶ M^?1 min^?1 for coroxon, (7.20 ± 0.28) × 10⁵ M^?1 min^?1 for paraoxon, and (2.33 ± 0.12) × 10⁵ M^?1 min^?1 for stirofos. Two major forms of native AChE molecules were found on non-denaturing polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) with Triton X-100, corresponding to bands AChE-2 and AChE-4 found on PAGE without Triton X-100. AChE-2 had an estimated molecular weight of 603,000 and was amphiphilic. AChE-4 had a molecular weight of 147,000 and was hydrophilic. Results of PAGE analyses indicated that the purified enzyme had two bands, one of about 123 kDa and the other greater than 320 kDa, prior to disulfide reduction and only one band at about 54 kDa after reduction on SDS-PAGE. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

1 This article is a US Government work and, as such, is in the public domain in the United States of America.

     

Latent acetylcholinesterase in secretory vesicles isolated from adrenal medulla

A new procedure is described for the preparation of highly purified and stable secretory vesicles from adrenal medulla. Two forms of acetylcholinesterase, a membrane bound form as well as a soluble form, were found within these vesicles. The secretory vesicles, isolated by differential centrifugation, were further purified on a continuous isotonic Percoll? gradient. In this way, secretory vesicles were separated from mitochondrial, microsomal and cell membrane contamination. The secretory vesicles recovered from the gradient contained an average of 2.26 μmol adrenalin/mg protein. On incubation for 30 min at 37°C in media differing in ionic strength, pH, Mg²⁺ and Ca²⁺ concentration, the vesicles released less than 20% of total adrenalin. Acetylcholinesterase could hardly be detected in the secretory vesicle fraction when assayed in isotonic media. However, in hypotonic media (<400 mosmol/kg) or in Triton X-100 (0.2% final concentration) acetylcholinesterase activity was markedly higher. During hypotonic treatment or when secretory vesicles were specifically lyzed with 2 mM Mg²⁺ and 2 mM ATP, adrenalin as well as part of acetylcholinesterase was released from the vesicular content. On polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis this soluble enzyme exhibited the same electrophoretic mobility as the enzyme released into the perfusate from adrenal glands upon stimulation. In addition to the soluble enzyme a membrane bound form of acetylcholinesterase exists within secretory vesicles, which sediments with the secretory vesicle membranes and exhibits a different electrophoretic mobility compared to the soluble enzyme. It is concluded, that the soluble enzyme found within isolated secretory vesicles is secreted via exocytosis, whilst the membrane-bound form is transported to the cell membrane during this process, contributing to the biogenesis of the cell membrane.     

In vitro inhibition of human erythrocyte acetylcholinesterase (EC3.1.1.7) by an antineoplastic drug methotrexate

This work addresses the kinetic analysis of the interaction of methotrexate (MTX) with human erythrocyte membrane-bound acetylcholinesterase (AChE, EC 3.1. 1.7). It was found that the MTX effect was independent of time of incubation with AChE before the addition of substrate which proves its reversible action. The IC₅₀ was determined, by three methods, to be 0.73 mM. The Michaelis-Menten constant (K_s) for the hydrolysis of acetylthiocholine iodide (ASCh) by AChE was 0.13 mM in the control system, a value decreased by 30–61% in the MTX treated systems. The V_max was 1.27tmole/min/mg protein for the control system while it was decreased by 44–77% in the MTX treated systems. The Linexveaver-Buck plot, Dixon plot, and their secondary replots indicated that the nature of the inhibition was of the linear mixed type, i.e. uncompetitive and noncompetitive. The values of K_i(slope) and K_I(tntecept) were estimated as 1.67 and 0.34 mM, respectively.Abbreviations AChE acetylcholinesterase - ASCh acetylthiocholine - K_s Michaelis-Menten constant - V_max the limiting maximal velocity - K_i inhibition constant - MTX methotrexate     

Synthesis and in vitro evaluation of novel rhodanine derivatives as potential cholinesterase inhibitors

Based on a broad spectrum of biological activities of rhodanines, we synthesized aromatic amides and esters of 2-(4-oxo-2-thioxothiazolidin-3-yl)acetic acid (rhodanine-3-acetic acid) via carbodiimide- or PCl₃-mediated coupling. Both esters and amides were investigated for their in vitro inhibitory potency and selectivity against acetylcholinesterase (AChE) from electric eel and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) from equine serum using Ellman’s spectrophotometric method. The derivatives exhibited mostly a moderate activity against both cholinesterases. IC₅₀ values for AChE were in a closer concentration range of 24.05–86.85 μM when compared to BChE inhibition (7.92–227.19 μM). The esters caused the more efficient inhibition of AChE than amides and parent acid. The esterification and amidation of the rhodanine-3-acetic acid increased inhibition of BChE, even up to 26 times. Derivatives of 4-nitroaniline/phenol showed the activity superior to other substituents (H, Cl, CH₃, OCH₃, CF₃). Rhodanines produced a balanced inhibition of both cholinesterases. Seven derivatives produced the more potent inhibition of AChE than rivastigmine, a clinically used drug; additional three compounds were comparable. Two amides exceeded inhibitory potency of rivastigmine towards BChE. Importantly, this is the first evidence that rhodanine-based compounds are able to inhibit BChE.     

Kinetic constants for the inhibition of camel retinal acetylcholinesterase by the carbamate insecticide lannate

We have designed this study to determine various kinetic parameters of camel retinal membrane‐bound acetylcholinesterase (AChE; EC 3.1.1.7) inhibition by carbamate insecticide lannate [methyl N‐{{(methylamino)carbonyl}oxy} ethanimidothioate]. All these kinetic constants were derived by simple graphical methods. The value of kinetic parameters was estimated as follows: 0.061 (μM)⁻¹, 1.14 (μM)⁻¹, 0.216 μM, 0.016 min⁻¹, 0.0741 (μM min)⁻¹, 0.746 μM, and 4.42 μM for velocity constant (K_v), new inhibition constant (K_nic), dissociation constant (K_d), carbamylation rate constant (k_2c), overall carbamylation rate constant (k′2 ), 50% inhibition constant (K_I50), and 99% inhibition constant (K_I99), respectively. These unique methods may be used to estimate such kinetic parameters for time‐dependent inhibition of enzymes by variety of chemicals, insecticides, herbicides, and drugs. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Biochem Toxicol 13: 41–46, 1999     

Competitive Irreversible Inhibition of Enzymes in the Presence of A Substrate: Scope and Limitations

Abstract

Rapid irreversible inhibition of enzymes constitutes a difficult problem and demands sophisticated techniques to meet contemporary expectations of accuracy and precision. Modern computerized, analytical techniques now allow inhibition to be measured in the presence of a chromogenic substrate, the decomposition product of which can be followed by a conventional method and in a continuous mode. This article has been written to fulfill a need for guidelines to aid the designer of experiments for the irreversible inhibition of enzymes. Thus the scope and limitations of the continuous competitive method for the irreversible inhibition of enzymes is examined here. Examples of acetylcholinesterase inhibition by two diagonally different phosphonate inhibitors are used for illustrating accuracy and precision of the competitive irreversible inhibition technique at different levels of enzyme saturation with inhibitor and substrate.     

Sensitivity of bovine retinal acetylcholinesterase (E.C. 3.1.1.7) toward tacrine: Kinetic characterization

This work addresses the kinetic analysis of the interaction of tacrine with bovine retina acetylcholinesterase (AChE, E.C. 3.1.1.7). It was found that the tacrine effect was reversible in nature. Tacrine inhibited bovine retinal AChE activity in a concentration-dependent manner; IC₅₀ was found to be 8.07 nM. The Michaelis-Menten constant (K_a) for the hydrolysis of acetylthiocholine iodide (ASCh) by AChE was 0.061 mM in the control system, and this value was increased by 54–67% in the tacrine-treated systems. The V_max was 0.701 μ mole/min per milligram protein for the control system, but it was decreased by 26–69% in the tacrine-treated systems. The Lineweaver–Burk plot, Dixon plot, and their secondary replots indicated that the nature of the inhibition was of the partial mixed type, that is, a mixture of competitive and noncompetitive inhibition. The values of K_i and K_t were estimated to be as 4.475 and 8.517 nM, respectively. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Biochem Toxicol 12: 245–251, 1998     

A continuous coupled spectrophotometric assay for debranching enzyme activity using reducing end-specific α-glucosidase

A novel continuous spectrophotometric assay to measure the activity of the debranching enzyme and α-amylase has been developed. The assay mixture comprises the debranching enzyme (GlgX from Escherichia coli) or α-amylase (PPA from porcine pancreas), a reducing end-specific α-glucosidase (MalZ), maltodextrin-branched β-cyclodextrin (Glc_n-β-CD) as the substrate, and the glucose oxidase/peroxidase system (GOPOD). Due to its high reducing end specificity, the branch chains of the substrates are not hydrolyzed by MalZ. After hydrolysis by GlgX or PPA, the released maltodextrins are immediately hydrolyzed into glucose from the reducing end by MalZ, whose concentration is continuously measured by GOPOD at 510 nm in a thermostat spectrophotometer. The kinetic constants determined for GlgX (K_m = 0.66 ± 0.02 mM and k_cat = 76.7 ± 1.5 s⁻¹) are within a reasonable range compared with those measured using high-performance anion-exchange chromatography (HPAEC). The assay procedure is convenient and sensitive, and it requires lower concentrations of enzymes and substrate compared with dinitrosalicylic acid (DNS) and HPAEC analysis.     

A continuous spectrophotometric assay for cyclic 3′,5′-nucleotide phosphodiesterase

In the course of studies on cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase, the need for an assay which was both sensitive and continuous was realized. Most of the methods available for monitoring phosphodiesterase either depend on the use of accessory enzymes, and are accordingly subject to intrinsic limitations, or are not capable of continuously monitoring the enzymatic reaction. The present paper describes a new spectrophotometric assay for cyclic nucleotide phosphotidesterase which is highly reproducible, rapid, simple, and more sensitive than many of the previously published assays for this enzyme. The method is sensitive enough to detect the enzymatic conversion of 75 pmol of cAMP to 5′-AMP per minute. This assay is based on the fact that the hydrolysis of cyclic nucleotides to the corresponding 5′-phosphate ester by phosphodiesterase makes available an additional titratable proton of the 5′-phosphate group. By incorporating phenol red into the assay mixture, the rate of proton production can be continuously measured by monitoring the decrease in absorbance of the basic chromophore of phenol red at 560 nm. The primary advantages of the spectrophotometric assay described here are: (a) it provides initial velocity measurements, and thus is ideally suited to studying the kinetic properties of partially purified preparations of enzyme, and (b) it does not require the tedious and time-consuming purification of commercially available substrates which is often required when radioisotopic assays are used in detailed kinetic studies. The chief limitations are: (a) the sensitivity is not sufficient to accurately monitor the “low K_m” enzyme, and (b) the use of the assay to quantitate revoveries throughout extensive purification, where different buffer salts at different pH values are used, would require that the enzyme be dialyzed prior to assay.     

Inhibition of AChE by malathion and some structurally similar compounds

Inhibition of bovine erythrocyte acetylcholinesterase (free and immobilized on controlled pore glass) by separate and simultaneous exposure to malathion and malathion transformation products which are generally formed during storage or through natural or photochemical degradation was investigated. Increasing concentrations of malathion, its oxidation product malaoxon, and its isomerisation product isomalathion inhibited free and immobilized AChE in a concentration-dependent manner. K_I, the dissociation constant for the initial reversible enzyme inhibitor-complex, and k₃, the first order rate constant for the conversion of the reversible complex into the irreversibly inhibited enzyme, were determined from the progressive development of inhibition produced by reaction of native AChE with malathion, malaoxon and isomalathion. K_I values of 1.3 × 10^{? 4} M^{? 1}, 5.6 × 10^{? 6} M^{? 1} and 7.2 × 10^{? 6} M^{? 1} were obtained for malathion, malaoxon and isomalathion, respectively. The IC₅₀ values for free/immobilized AChE, (3.7 ± 0.2) × 10^{? 4} M/(1.6 ± 0.1) × 10^{? 4}, (2.4 ± 0.3) × 10^{? 6}/(3.4 ± 0.1) × 10^{? 6} M and (3.2 ± 0.3) × 10^{? 6} M/(2.7 ± 0.2) × 10^{? 6} M, were obtained from the inhibition curves induced by malathion, malaoxon and isomalathion, respectively. However, the products formed due to photoinduced degradation, phosphorodithioic O,O,S-trimethyl ester and O,O-dimethyl thiophosphate, did not noticeably affect enzymatic activity, while diethyl maleate inhibited AChE activity at concentrations > 10 mM. Inhibition of acetylcholinesterase increased with the time of exposure to malathion and its inhibiting by-products within the interval from 0 to 5 minutes. Through simultaneous exposure of the enzyme to malaoxon and isomalathion, an additive effect was achieved for lower concentrations of the inhibitors (in the presence of malaoxon/isomalathion at concentrations 2 × 10^{? 7} M/2 × 10^{? 7} M, 2 × 10^{? 7} M/3 × 10^{? 7} M and 2 × 10^{? 7} M/4.5 × 10^{? 7} M), while an antagonistic effect was obtained for all higher concentrations of inhibitors. The presence of a non-inhibitory degradation product (phosphorodithioic O,O,S-trimethyl ester) did not affect the inhibition efficiencies of the malathion by-products, malaoxon and isomalathion.     

Biotransformation kinetics of Pseudomonas putida for cometabolism of phenol and 4-chlorophenol in the presence of sodium glutamate

A kinetic model to describe the degradation of phenol and cometabolictransformation of 4-chlorophenol (4-cp) in the presence of sodium glutamate(SG) has been developed and validated experimentally. The integrated modelaccounts for cell growth, toxicity of 4-cp, cross-inhibitions among the threesubstrates, and the different roles of the specific growth substrate (phenol)and the conventional carbon source (SG) in the cometabolism of 4-cp. In thisternary substrate system, the overall phenol degradation and 4-cp transformation rates are greatly enhanced by the addition of SG since SG is able to attenuate the toxicity of 4-cp and therefore increase the cell growth rate. Model analysis indicates that the maximum specific degradation rate of phenol (0.819 mg (mg.h)^-1) is lowered by SG by up to 46% whereas the specific transformation rate of 4-cp is notdirectly affected by the presence of SG. The competitive inhibition coefficient of 4-cp to phenol degradation (K_i,cp) and that of phenol to 4-cp transformation (K_i,ph) were determined to be 6.49 mg l^-1 and 0.193 mg l^-1, respectively, indicatingthat phenol imposes much larger competitive inhibition to 4-cp transformation than the converse. The model developed can simultaneously predict phenol degradation and 4-cp transformation, and is useful for dealing with cometabolism involving multiple substrates.     

Synthesis and anticholinesterase activities of novel 1,3,4-thiadiazole based compounds

In the present study, new (1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl)benzene-1,3-diol based compounds have been synthesized and their potential anticholinesterases properties have been investigated using the modified of Ellman’s spectrophotometric method. The compounds were obtained by the reaction of hydrazides or thiosemicarbazides with aryl-modified sulfinylbis[(2,4-dihydroxyphenyl)methanethione]s. Their chemical structures were elucidated by IR, ¹H-NMR, ¹³C-NMR and EI-MS spectral data and elemental analyses. Most of the compounds acted as acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) inhibitors in vitro, with IC₅₀ values ranging from >500 to 0.053 μM and from >500 to 0.105 μM, respectively. The most potent compound 9 (IC₅₀ = 0.053 μM) proved to be selective toward AChE, exhibiting selectivity ratios versus BuChE of ca. 950. The kinetic studies showed that it is a mixed-type of AChE inhibitor. Another compound (2) was active against both enzymes with IC₅₀ values in the low nM range. The structure-activity relationships (SARs) of the compounds under consideration were discussed.     

Inactivation of acetylcholinesterase by 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine hydrochloride

The neurotoxicant 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) has been shown to reversibly inhibit the activity of acetylcholinesterase. The inactivation of the enzyme was detected by monitoring the accumulation of yellow color produced from the reaction between thiocholine and dithiobisnitrobenzoate ion. The kinetic parameter, K _m for the substrate (acetylthiocholine), was found to be 0.216 mM and K _i for MPTP inactivation of acetylcholinesterase was found to be 2.14 mM. The inactivation of enzyme by MPTP was found to be dose-dependent. It was found that MPTP is neither a substrate of AChE nor the time-dependent inactivator. The studies of reaction kinetics indicate the inactivation of AChE to be a linear mixed-type inhibition. The dilution assays indicate that MPTP is a reversible inhibitor for AChE. These data suggest that once MPTP enters the basal ganglia of the brain, it can inactivate the acetylcholinesterase enzyme and thereby increase the acetylcholine level in the basal ganglia of brain, leading to potential cell dysfunction. It appears that the nigrostriatal toxicity by MPTP leading to Parkinson's disease-like syndrome may, in part, be mediated via the acetylcholinesterase inactivation.     

On the inhibition of camel retina acetylcholinesterase activity by cycloheximide in vitro

The kinetic parameters of inhibition of camel retinal acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity by cycloheximide (CH) were investigated. For the control system, the Michaelis–Menten constant (K _m)for the hydrolysis of acetylthiocholine iodide was found to be 0.076 mmol/L and the V _max was 0.547 mol/min per mg protein. In contrast, these parameters were decreased in the CH-treated systems. Dixon and Lineweaver–Burk plots, and their secondary replots, indicated that the inhibition was of the linear mixed type, which seems to be a combination of partial competitive and pure noncompetitive inhibition. The values of K_i(slope) and K _I(intercept) were estimated to be 3.50 and 5.68 mmol/L, respectively. K _i was greater than K_i, indicating that CH has a greater binding affinity for the peripheral site than the active site.     

Furanocoumarin Content,Antioxidant Activity,and Inhibitory Potential of Heracleum verticillatum,Heracleum sibiricum,Heracleum angustisectum,and Heracleum ternatum Extracts against Enzymes Involved in Alzheimer's Disease and Type II Diabetes

Hexane extracts of Heracleum verticillatum, H. sibiricum, H. angustisectum, and H. ternatum were studied for their furanocoumarin content antioxidant potential and acetylcholinesterase and α‐amylase inhibitory activities. Quantification of the furanocoumarins was performed by ¹H‐NMR. Pimpinellin was found to be the main component in the roots of all studied species. Bergapten and imperatorin were the major compounds in the fruits of H. sibiricum and H. verticillatum, respectively, while byakangelicol dominated in H. angustisectum and H. ternatum fruits. The leaf and fruit extracts of H. angustisectum demonstrated the highest DPPH radical scavenging activity and TEAC (IC₅₀ 0.58 mg/mL and 1.83 mm , respectively). The root extracts of H. verticillatum and H. angustisectum were found to be the most effective against acetylcholinesterase (IC₅₀ 0.30 and 0.34 mg/mL, respectively). The studied extracts were not active or demonstrated a weak inhibitory effect (%Inh. up to 29.7) towards α‐amylase.     

The effect of copper on frog skin. The role of sulphydryl groups

1. 1. Cu²⁺ at a concentration of 10⁻⁴ M, when applied to the external side of the frog skin produces an increase in the short-circuit current (I_sc).

2. 2. This effect was studied in skins of Rana temporaria adapted to cold (5°C) and room temperature (20°C), skins of Rana pipiens adapted to cold, and the results compared with those obtained previously with Rana ribibunda.

3. 3. The observed effect is less dependent upon the adaptation to cold than upon the functional state of the skin: skins with low short circuit currents have a bigger response to Cu²⁺ than skins with high I_sc.

4. 4. A species difference cannot be ruled out since skins of Rana ribibunda exhibiting high I_sc give good responses to Cu²⁺.

5. 5. 5,5′-dithiobis(2-nitrobenzoic acid), a sulphydryl-oxidizing reagent, produces an effect similar to that of Cu²⁺, and dithiothreitol an SH-reducing agent, reverses the effect of this ion.

6. 6. Cu²⁺ also induces an increase in the unidirectional K⁺ fluxes and unmasks a net outward potassium flux.

7. 7. The outward K⁺ flux induced by Cu²⁺ is sensitive to ouabain.

8. 8. It is concluded that Cu²⁺ increases the permeability of the external barrier of the frog skin to Na⁺ and K⁺, probably by reacting with SH groups.

Ouabain receptor interactions in (Na + K)-ATPase preparations. III. On the stability of the ouabain receptor against physical treatment, hydrolases and SH reagents

The action of ATP and its analogs as well as the effects of alkali ions were studied in their action on the ouabain receptor. One single ouabain receptor with a dissociation constant (K_D) of 13 nM was found in the presence of (Mg²⁺ + P_i) and (Na⁺ + Mg²⁺ + ATP). pH changes below pH 7.4 did not affect the ouabain receptor. Ouabain binding required Mg²⁺, where a curved line in the Scatchard plot appeared. The affinity of the receptor for ouabain was decreased by K⁺ and its congeners, by Na⁺ in the presence of (Mg²⁺ + P_i), and by ATP analogs (ADP-C-P, ATP-OCH₃). Ca²⁺ antagonized the action of K⁺ on ouabain binding. It was concluded that the ouabain receptor exists in a low affinity (R_α) and a high affinity conformational state (R_β). The equilibrium between both states is influenced by ligands of (Na⁺ + K⁺)-ATPase. With 3 mM Mg²⁺ a mixture between both conformational states is assumed to exist (curved line in the Scatchard plot).     

A critical reexamination of the continous spectrophotometric assay for adenosine deaminase

The continuous spectrophotometric assay for adenosine deaminase has been reinvestigated, using both adenosine and 9-β-d-arabinofuranosyladenine as substrates. This assay is based on the reported decrease in absorbance at or near 265 nm between the adenine nucleoside substrate and the hypoxanthine nucleoside product. In the substrate concentration range 1,5 – 8.0 × 10^?4m, the progress of the reaction is associated with an anomalous sigmoidal dependence of absorbance on time, and the overall change in absorbance decreases with increasing substrate concentration. Near 8 × 10^?4m substrate, the deamination proceeds with no change in absorbance, while at higher concentrations, small increases in absorbance are observed. These effects, if ignored, generate initial “rate” data exhibiting an apparent substrate inhibition whieh, however, is completely an artifact induced by the spectral anomalies. Over the entire concentration range 5 × 10^?6–1 × 10^?3m, alternative assay methods (e.g., discontinuous detection of the product, ammonia) yeld normal Michaelis-Menten kineties. The anomalous behavior manifested in the continuous spectrophotometric assay is due to large negative deviations from Beer's law. These deviations are observed for all four of the nucleosides tested, viz., adenosine, 9-β-d-arabinofuranosyladenine, inosine, and 9-β-d-arabinofuranosylhypoxanthine. The departure from Beer's law is detectable anywhere in the concentration range 5 × 10^?6–1 × 10^?3m, but is most marked at concentrations above 1 × 10^?4m. Thus, the continuous spectrophotometric assay for adenosine deaminase should be utilized withextreme caution, and should not be employed at concentrations exceeding 1 × 10^?4m, irrespective of the K_m value for the substrate. Specific recommendations are given for future assays.