Dextransucrase as an Enzyme Associating with Alkaline Earth Metal Ions

Abstract

Dextransucrase (EC. 2. 4. 1. 5) of Leuconostoc mesenteroides was purified from the culture filtrate by precipitation with solid ammonium sulfate in the presence of egg white albumin followed by successively treating with columns of DEAE-cellulose and Bio Gel P-150.
The purified enzyme lost the activity upon dialysis against EDTA, and was reactivated by the addition of alkaline arth metal ions. The best reactivation was brought about by calcium ion. The enzyme inactivated by EDTA was unstable and readily denatured irreversity. Several other properties of the purified enzyme were also investigated and discussed.