Influence of pH on the allosteric properties of lactate dehydrogenase activity of Phycomyces blakesleeanus.

1. Lactate dehydrogenase from mycelium of Phycomyces blakesleeanus showed positive homotropic interactions with NADH at all pH values studied (pH 5.0-7.7). The calculated values for the first and last intrinsic association constants remained unaltered with pH, in contrast with the Hill coefficient value, which varied significantly, reaching its maximum values at pH 6.0 and 7.7. This suggests the hypothesis that pH regulates these homotropic effects by changes in the value of the intermediate intrinsic association constants. 2. From pH 7.2 to 7.7 lactate dehydrogenase exhibited, likewise, positive homotropic interactions with pyruvate. There were practically no changes in the first and last intrinsic association constants and in Hill coefficient values with pH. At pH values below 7.2 (pH 5.0-6.8) the enzyme showed high substrate inhibition, which was highly dependent on pH, NADH concentration and temperature. By way of substrate inhibition pH regulates, primarily, lactate dehydrogenase activity towards pyruvate, since the homotropic effects appear not to be dependent on pH. 3. Fructose 1,6-bisphosphate is a true allosteric effector of lactate dehydrogenase of Phycomyces blakesleeanus. it decreases positive co-operativity with NADH, and on the other hand pyruvate co-operativity turns into mixed co-operativity. In addition, the effector decreases the inhibitory effect caused by pyruvate.