Flavin-free cytochrome b2 has been prepared by rapid Sephadex filtration at acid pH. The method, which yields an apo-enzyme with high reconstitution potential and has several advantages over previously used procedures, is described in detail. 2. Flavin-free cytochrome b2 thus prepared is retained by blue-dextran-bound Sepharose. It can be eluted by an increase in ionic strength, by dilute ethylene glycol and specifically by low concentrations of FMN. The holoenzyme is not retarded at all. 3. Both flavin-free and holocytochrome b2 bind Cibacron blue F3GA with appearance of distinct difference spectra. Cibacron blue is an inhibitor for the holoenzyme, it shows mixed type inhibition with respect to lactate. 4. It is concluded that there are two types of binding sites for Cibacron blue F3GA on flavocytochrome b2. Both possess ionic and hydrophobic character; one of them, which is the flavin binding site, is only available in the absence of the cofactor. Taken together these results may mean that the enzyme possesses a local flavin-binding structure similar to the 'dinucleotide fold'.
