Irreversible inactivation of hypoxanthine phosphoribosyltransferase by periodate oxidized nucleotides.

Hypoxanthine phosphoribosyltransferase (EC 2.4.2.8) from rat brain or human erytherocytes can be irreversibly inactivated by incubation with periodate-oxidized analogues of the enzyme products GMP or IMP. This inhibition is specific and directed against the product binding site of the enzyme. Inactivation is not produced by periodate-oxidized AMP or other aldehydes, for example periodate-oxidized glycerol. The inactivation is concomitant with the binding of the inhibitor to the enzyme protein. The bound inhibitor cannot be removed from the protein by dialysis, Sephadex chromatography or polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis. Adenine phosphoribosyltransferase (EC 2.4.2.7), on the other hand, is not influenced by any of the inhibitors mentioned above.