Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry

, Volume 23, Issue 3, pp 185–192 | Cite as

Interaction of α2-macroglobulin with L-asparaginase

  • Eugenia Soru
Article
Received:

Summary

Obvious protection of the catalytic activity of Esch. coli L-asparaginase by α2-macroglobulin (α2M) was observed under conditions otherwise propitious to the dissociation of the tetrameric molecule into inactive subunits, i.e. very diluted enzyme solutions or the presence of either SDS or urea. The degree of protection depended on enzyme and α2M concentrations respectively, and on the preincubation time of the α2M-enzyme mixture prior to substrate addition. The formation of a catalytically active complex between α2M and L-asparaginase was confirmed by gel filtration on a Sephadex-G column and by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The fact that the migration distance of the active complex corresponded to the migration of α2M and the absence in that case of a migration band corresponding to the intact molecule suggest that complexing of the enzyme with α2M prevented its dissociation into subunits and thus its inactivation. Addition of α2M to the already dissociated enzyme molecule did not restore its catalytic activity.

Alpha2-macroglobulin was shown to have an inhibiting effect on the proteolytic activity of almost all proteases and no effect on their esterolytic activity. Furthermore, it prevents the inhibition of esterolytic activity by some natural compounds1–5. The effect of α2M on other types of catalytic activity has not been investigated enough to afford a generalization of the possible role of this macroglobulin in the control of enzyme activity in the body.

This paper reports the results of an in vitro study of the effect of α2M on the catalytic activity of an important amidase, i.e. L-asparaginase (L-asparagine amidohydrolase 3.5.1.1), which in recent years has been used in the treatment of acute lymphocytic leukemia in children6,7.

Keywords

Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia Catalytic Activity Proteolytic Activity Lymphocytic Leukemia Active Complex 
These keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.

Abbreviations

α2M

α2-macroglobulin

E

enzyme

SDS

sodium dodecylsulfate

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Copyright information

© Dr. W Junk b.v. Publishers 1979

Authors and Affiliations

  • Eugenia Soru
    • 1
  1. 1.Biochemical and Immunochemical Department of the L Cantacuzino InstituteBucharestRomania

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