JBC, Vol. 250, Issue 7, 2678-2680, Apr, 1975
Solvent-temperature perturbations of ionizable groups as a tool for the investigation of the active site of enzymes
P. Maurel and P. Douzou
Co-solvent and temperature effects on the pK of histidine (imidazolium)
residue 46 of trypsin, as well as of weak electrolytes (buffers), which
have been reported in two preceding papers, can be satisfactorily explained
in terms of enthalpy-entropy compensation patterns. Such patterns have been
generated for various mixed solvents between 20 degrees and minus 20
degrees and minus 50 degrees. Under these conditions compensation
temperature, T-c, is strongly dependent on the nature of the ionizable
group studied: 240 plus or minus 10 K for neutral acids and 310 plus or
minus 5 K for cationic acids. This work focuses on the possibilities
offered and on the problems raised by the use of this methodology as a tool
in the investigation of the active site of enzymes. Furthermore, it is
shown in the case of histidine residue 46 of trypsin that the co-solvent
effect vanishes at the compensation temperature, a result of great
practical significance if applicable to any ionizable group at the active
site of enzymes.