Abstract

A specific alanine racemase, which is a key enzyme in the biosynthesis of the undecapeptide cyclosporin A, was purified to electrophoretic homogeneity from the fungus Tolypocladium niveum. This is the first enzyme of this kind isolated from a eucaryotic organism. The enzyme catalyzes the reversible racemization of alanine and requires pyridoxal phosphate as the exclusive cofactor. Km values for L- and D-alanine were found to be 38 and 2 mM, respectively. Maximal reaction velocity was observed at 42 degrees C and pH 8.8 for the L to D direction. Molecular mass determinations of the denatured enzyme by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis gave a value of 37 kDa, whereas gel filtration calibration studies yielded a value between 120 and 150 kDa, indicating an oligomeric native structure.

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