Multiple forms of soluble monophenol, dihydroxyphenylalanine: oxygen oxidoreductase (EC 1.14.18.1) from potato tubers (Solanum tuberosum). III. Influence of pH on the molecular weight distribution of enzyme activity in potato juice.

Gel chromatography on Sepharose and on Sephadex was used to separate the soluble phenol oxidase in various potato juices into multiple molecular forms ranging from 36,000 to 800,000 daltons. Adjustment of potato juice from physiological pH (ca. 6) to pH 4.5 or to pH 7.8 resulted in the predominance of low-mol.-wt. (less than 150,000 daltons) or high-mol.-wt. (greater than 150,000 daltons) enzyme forms, respectively. This suggests association phenomena of subunits. In potato juice of physiological pH and in potato juice adjusted to pH 4.5, all enzyme forms exhibited both monophenol and o-diphenol oxidase activities (assayed at pH 6.0). In potato juice adjusted to pH 7.8 considerable loss of monophenol oxidase activity (assayed at pH 6.0) occurred. This suggests that o-diphenol oxidase is more alkali-stable than monophenol oxidase. The significance of these findings for enzyme purifications and for the in vivo action of the enzyme is discussed.