Subunit structure of Micrococcus luteus catalase. Dissociation of M. luteus catalase induced by dodecylsulfate, citraconic and 2,3-dimethylmaleic anhydrides and urea.

M. luteus catalase dissociates upon treatment with urea, dodecylsulfate and anhydrides into monomers, the molecular weight of which appears to be 1/4 of that of the native enzyme. The urea-induced dissociation depends upon the incubation time, the urea concentration and the pH of the incubation mixture. Reassociation of the subunits proved to be unsuccessful. Native M. luteus catalase only contains 30% alpha-helix. When fully dissociated in presence of urea, it still retains 15% alpha-helix. Catalase from M. luteus was found to lack cysteine residues.