Inactivation of allantoinase ofPseudomonas aeruginosa in vivo

The total and specific activity of allantoinase decreased in the stationary growth phase whenPseudomonas aeruginosa was cultured in a medium containing allantoin or allantoate as the sole source of carbon, nitrogen and energy. The enzyme was not instableper se. Inactivation was proven to be due to the synthesis of a protein, which exhibited no proteolytic activity toward allantoinase. The synthesis of a specific binding protein is postulated.