β-Tyrosinase was purified and crystallized from cells of Escherichia intermedia A-21 grown in a medium supplemented with 0.2% L-tyrosine. Molecular weight of its subunit, Km value and absorption spectra were determined. Crystallization methods were also studied to eliminate any unnecessary procedures. The results obtained were as follows:
1. The purification procedure inc lulled ammonium sulfate fractionation, dialysis against potassium phosphate buffer, pH 6.0 and pH 7.0, and DEAE-Sephadex column chromatography. In the column chromatography, 11 ㎎ of protein was applied per ㎖ of DEAE-Sephadex for efficiency.
2. Steps of protamine sulfate treatment and Sephadex G-150 gel filtration could be eliminated for this enzyme from the known procedures.
3. The purified enzyme was dissolved in 0.01M potassium phosphate buffer containing 2-mercaptoethanol, with a concentration of 20㎎/㎖. Crystalline enzyme, which appears as hexagonal rods, was obtained by adding solid fine powdered ammonium sulfate to the enzyme solution.
4. Absorption maxima of the enzyme appeared at 340 and 430㎚ when associated with pyridoxal phosphate.
5. Km value of the enzyme for L-tyrosine was 2.31×10^(-4)M and the molecular weight of its subunit was determined by SDS-polyacrylamide electrophoresis to be approximately 50,000.
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