On the existence of a complex of glycolytic enzymes

Abstract

It has been suggested in the literature that the glycolytic enzymes are organized into a multi-enzymic complex. We have evaluated this hypothesis for the phosphotriose-glycerate phosphate group of glycolytic enzymes of muscle using sucrose density gradient centrifugation, gel filtration, and ultrafiltration. Attempts were made to avoid dilution and changes in pH. The ratio of activities of the phosphotriose-glycerate phosphate group of enzymes was similar to that found in several other tissues that has led to their designation as a constant proportion group of enzymes. However, no evidence was obtained that they exist as a multi-enzymic complex in chicken breast muscle. As the pH of the press juice is raised to 7.0 and the temperature to 25°C, association occurs between some components in the muscle press juice as evidenced by a blocking of the pores of an ultrafiltration membrane. This association, however, does not involve the enzymes of the phosphotriose-glycerate phosphate group.