The enzymes forming isopentenyl pyrophosphate from 5-phosphomevalonate (mevalonate 5-phosphate) in the latex of Hevea brasiliensis

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Abstract
1. Phosphomevalonate kinase and 5-pyrophosphomevalonate decarboxylase have been purified from the freeze-dried latex serum of the commercial rubber tree Hevea brasiliensis. 2. The phosphomevalonate kinase was acid- and heat-labile and required the presence of a thiol to maintain activity. 3. The 5-pyrophosphomevalonate decarboxylase was relatively acid-stable and more heat-stable than the phosphokinase. 4. Maximum activity of the phosphokinase was achieved at pH 7.2 with 0.2mm-5-phosphomevalonate (Km 0.042mm), 2.0mm-ATP (Km 0.19mm) and 8mm-Mg2+at 40°C. The apparent activation energy was 14.8kcal/mol. 5. Maximum activity of 5-pyrophosphomevalonate decarboxylase was achieved at pH5.5–6.5 with 0.1mm-5-pyrophosphomevalonate (Km 0.004mm), 1.5mm-ATP (Km 0.12mm) and 2mm-Mg2+. The apparent activation energy was 13.7kcal/mol. The enzyme was somewhat sensitive to inhibition by its products, isopentenyl pyrophosphate and ADP.