Involvement of tyrosyl residues in the substrate binding of pigeon liver malic enzyme.

The reactions of pigeon liver malic enzyme (L-malate:NADP+ oxidoreductase (oxaloacetate-decarboxylating), EC 1.1.1.40) with tetranitromethane and N-acetylimidazole have been investigated to obtain information about the functional role of tyrosine residues in this enzyme. Incubation of the sulfhydryl-masked enzyme with tetranitromethane or N-acetylimidazole caused a time-dependent loss of all enzymatic activities of this enzyme. The absorption spectra of both the nitrated and acetylated enzyme indicated modification of tyrosine residues. The enzymatic activity of the acetylated enzyme was reversed by hydroxylamine. No amino group modification was observed. Preincubation of the enzyme with dicarboxylate substrate (or inhibitor), nucleotide coenzyme and divalent metal ions protected the enzyme against these reagents. The acetylated enzyme showed different kinetic properties from the native enzyme. The apparent Michaelis constants for malate and oxaloacetate increase by 2-5-fold. The binding between acetylated enzyme and NADPH was not abolished. These results strongly suggest the involvement of tyrosine residues in the dicarboxylic acid binding of malic enzyme.