Mechanistic studies of glutamine synthetase from Escherichia coli: kinetic evidence for two reaction intermediates in biosynthetic reaction.

Fast reaction techniques were used to study the kinetics of protein fluorescence intensity changes that are associated with the reactions of unadenylylated Escherichia coli glutamine synthetase [L-glutamate: ammonia ligase (ADP-forming), EC 6.3.1.2] with its substrates. It was established that the synthesis of glutamine occurs by a stepwise mechanism. During the catalytic process two fluorometrically distinct intermediates were observed. Both forward and reverse rate constants which lead to the formation and consumption of these intermediates were evaluated. The catalytic rate constant, kc, which was calculated from these rate constants agrees well with the values of kc which were determined by direct measurement of the overall biosynthetic activities by means of stopped-flow technique or the steady-state assay method.