Splitting of the cyclic 3′, 5′-adenosine monophosphate in cell-free system ofEscherichia coli

Broken cells ofEscherichia coli contain an enzyme system breaking down cyclic 3′,5′-adenosine monophosphate (Ado-3′,5′-P). The enzyme splitting this nucleotide is located in the supernatant fraction at 20,000 ×g. Some characteristics of the enzyme were studied. In contrast with the animal enzyme theEscherichia coli enzyme is not inhibited by caffeine.