The effects of activating peptides and proteins on the activity of reconstituted cholesterol desmolase systems.

The kinetics of cleavage of both cholesterol and cholesterol sulfate by reconstituted cholesterol side-chain cleavage systems are profoundly modified by non-ionic detergents and phospholipids. The Km value for adrenodoxin is changed depending on whether cholesterol or cholesterol sulfate is used as the substrate and by the presence of detergents and phospholipids in the assay mixture. The activity of the enzyme system is also affected by reducing agents such as dithiothreitol. All these factors must be considered when the effects of protein and peptide activators of the cholesterol side-chain cleavage system are interpreted.