Canine thyroid fucokinase.

A radiometric assay was developed for fucokinase (ATP:6-deoxy-L-galactose 1-phosphotransferase, EC 2.7.1.52) based on the conversion of L-[14C]fucose to L-[14C]fucose 1-phosphate which is trapped and counted on ion exchange paper. This assay was used to detect the presence of a fucokinase in canine thyroid tissue which was subsequently purified 2754-fold over the crude tissue extracts. The product of the fucokinase was identified as the beta-anomer. The pH versus activity curve for the enzyme appears biphasic with optima at pH 6.5 and pH 8.25. The enzyme was shown to be highly specific for L-fucose with a Km of 2.6 - 10(-5) M at pH 8.25. It was shown to be absolutely specific for ATP as a phosphate donor with a Km of 6.3 - 10(-4) M at pH 8.25. The enzyme requires a divalent cation. Mg2+ is slightly more effective than Mn2+ in meeting this need. The molecular weight of the enzyme has been determined to be 494 000 +/- 12 400.