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Activation of Enzymes by Chelating Agents

Abstract

LYSINE and glyoxaline-4-5-dicarboxylic acid1 and histidine2 have been shown to activate preparations of Keilin horse-heart succinoxidase in unfavourable environments. A property common to these compounds is their ability to chelate heavy metals. We have accordingly tested the effect of other well-known chelating agents upon this system in bicarbonate buffer, which has been shown by Bonner2 to depress its activity. In Table 1 are shown typical results.

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References

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ALTMANN, S., CROOK, E. Activation of Enzymes by Chelating Agents. Nature 171, 76–77 (1953). https://doi.org/10.1038/171076b0

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