Studies on the metabolism of unsaturated fatty acids. IV. N-Ethylmaleimide reducing activity in Escherichia coli K-12.

Abstract
An enzyme fraction which catalyzes the reduction of N-ethylmaleimide (NEM) to N-ethylsuccinimide in the presence of NADPH was partially purified from E. coli extracts. The apparent Km for NEM was estimated to be 4 .mu.M. The enzyme showed a rather broad pH optimum between 7-8. The enzyme was 90% inhibited after being heated at 55.degree. C for 15 min and was 94% inhibited by 1 mM p-hydroxymercuribenzoic acid.