Reactivation of the EDTA-treated arginase from rat and calf liver.

1. The anionic calf liver arginase, like the cationic rat liver enzyme, is inactivated by EDTA-treatment. The activity is fully restored by Mn2+. A smaller effect is observed with Cd2+, Ni2+ and Co2+. 2. The EDTA-inactivated calf liver arginase, unlike the rat liver enzyme, does not dissociate into subunits, and its mol.wt. (120 000) is unchanged. 3. The reactivation of rat liver arginase subunits (mol.wt. 30 000) by Ni2+ is accompanied, similarly as in the case of Mn2+, by reassociation to the form of mol.wt. 120 000, i.e. the same as for the native enzyme. 4. It is suggested that Mn2+ in arginase is bound at the active site and at the site responsible for maintenance of the oligomeric structure. In calf liver enzyme this binding site is inaccessible to the chelating agent.