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Application of pulse radiolysis to the study of proteins: chymotrypsin and trypsin

Journal Article · · Biophys. J.; (United States)
The one-electron reduction of chymotrypsin, trypsin, and their zymogens have been studied by pulse radiolysis. The optical spectra of the transient products from the two active enzymes display a pH-dependent band at 360 nm, associated with the histidine-electron adduct. The yield of the histidyl radical as a function of pH is consistent with a pK/suba/ < 4.5, which suggests that the radical is located at the enzyme active site. The histidines of the proenzymes chymotrypsinogen and trypsinogen are unreactive towards the hydrated electon. We conclude that formation of the histidine-electron adduct at the serine protease active site is sensitive to the physical alterations which accompany protease activation.
Research Organization:
Ohio State Univ., Columbus
OSTI ID:
5761493
Journal Information:
Biophys. J.; (United States), Journal Name: Biophys. J.; (United States) Vol. 24:1; ISSN BIOJA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English