Solubilization of a mannose-polymerizing enzyme from Phaseolus aureus

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Abstract
A soluble enzyme preparation, which catalyses the polymerization of mannose, was obtained by Triton X-100 extraction of a particulate fraction derived from Phaseolus aureus hypocotyls. The product that resulted when GDP-α-d-mannose was used as a substrate was a β-(1→4)-linked mannan, about three-quarters of which was alkali-insoluble. The mannose-polymerizing enzyme activity was at least as great in the soluble preparation as in the particulate preparation, and the specific activity of the solubilized enzyme was greater by a factor of at least 3.5. Kinetic studies of the soluble enzyme indicate that the apparent Km is 55–62μm, and a disproportionate increase in rate is observed at high concentrations. GDP-α-d-glucose is a strong competitive inhibitor of the mannose-polymerizing reaction, with an apparent Ki of 6.2μm. The soluble enzyme is relatively unstable, losing about two-thirds of its original activity in 5h at 0°C or in 24h at −20°C. A solvent (acetone, butanol, diethyl ether)-extracted particulate preparation, which also exhibits the same enzyme activity, is more stable, retaining full activity for at least 5 days at −20°C. There was no polymerizing-enzyme activity in the soluble enzyme preparation when UDP-d-glucose, UDP-d-galactose, UDP-d-xylose, UDP-l-arabinose or UDP-d-glucuronic acid were used as substrates. However, the soluble enzyme preparation would catalyse the polymerization of glucose, with GDP-d-glucose as substrate.