Phenyl-Sepharose Fast Flow Research Articles

Purification and biochemical characterization of a novel ene- reductase from Kazachstania exigua HSC6 for dihydro-β-ionone from β-ionone.

We purified and characterized a novel ene-reductase (KaDBR1) from Kazachstania exigua HSC6 for the synthesis of dihydro-β-ionone from β-ionone. KaDBR1 was purified to homogeneity by ammonium sulfate precipitation and phenyl-Sepharose Fast Flow and Q-Sepharose chromatography. The purified enzyme was characterized by measuring the amount of dihydro-β-ionone from β-ionone with LC-MS analysis method. The molecular mass of KaDBR1 was estimated to be 45kDa by SDS-PAGE. The purified KaDBR1 enzyme had optimal activity at 60°C and pH 6.0. The addition of 5mM Mg2+, Ca2+, Al3+, Na+, and dithiothreitol increased the activity of KaDBR1 by 25%, 18%, 34%, 20%, and 23%, respectively. KaDBR1 favored NADH over NADPH as a cofactor, and its catalytic efficiency (kcat/Km) toward β-ionone using NADH was 8.1-fold greater than when using NADPH. Owing to its unique properties, KaDBR1 is a potential candidate for the enzymatic biotransformation of β-ionone to dihydro-β-ionone in biotechnology applications.

Preparation of Recombinant Formate Dehydrogenase from Thermotolerant Yeast Ogataea parapolymorpha and Crystallization of Its Apo- and Holo- Forms

NAD+-dependent formate dehydrogenase from thermotolerant yeast Ogataea parapolymorpha DL-1 (OpaFDH, EC 1.2.1.2) with the additional N-terminal Gly residue and its double mutant OpaFDH_AD were overexpressed in E. coli cells. The enzyme yield was, respectively, 6000 and 6200 units per liter of the cultivation medium. Purified enzymes were obtained as homogeneous preparations with a yield of 62%. The purification procedure included ultrasonic cell disruption, heat treatment of cell free extracts at 55°C for 15 min, and hydrophobic chromatography on the Phenyl Sepharose Fast Flow. Crystallization experiments with wild-type OpaFDH resulted in the preparation of crystals of the apo-form but not the holo-form. Crystals of the holo-form were prepared in the case of the OpaFDH_AD mutant in the presence of 7 mM NAD+ and 10 mM sodium azide. The size and quality of the crystals are sufficient to collect X-ray diffraction data and determine the enzyme three-dimensional structure.

Expression and purification of recombinant proteins based on human prostate stem cell antigen and heat shock protein-70

The aim of this study was to express and purify recombinant proteins based on human prostate stem cell antigen (PSCA) and heat shock protein-70 (HSP70). The PSCA gene and various structural domains of HSP70 were amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with the respective primers. Then, the PSCA was cloned into the prokaryotic expression vector pET21a(+) with the amino-terminus, carboxyl-terminus and overall length of HSP70, by enzyme digestion to construct the recombinant plasmids pET21-PSCA-HSPN, pET21-PSCA-HSPC and pET21-PSCA-HSP, respectively. After being expressed in Escherichia coli (E. coli) by isopropyl β-D-1-thiogalactopyranoside (IPTG) induction, recombinant fusion proteins were purified. Western blotting was performed to confirm the expression of the recombinant proteins. The results revealed that recombinant plasmids were successfully constructed. The PSCA-HSPC and PSCA-HSP expressed in E. coli existed in soluble form, as confirmed by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). The purity of the recombinant proteins PSCA-HSPC and PSCA-HSP reached >95% following purification with the nickel-nitrilotriacetic acid (Ni-NTA) resin, Phenyl-Sepharose Fast Flow and Superdex 75, which lays a foundation for the development of vaccines for prostate cancer.

Expression, Characterization and Fermentation Optimization of Keratinase from Bacillus licheniformis in Escherichia coli

In order to enhance the production of keratinase in Escherichia coli and study the enzymatic properties, the ker gene(1 140 bp) was cloned from a feather-degrading bacterium of Bacillus licheniformis BBE11-1. After the 1 053 bp fragment of signal peptide-truncated ker gene was inserted into the expression vector pET-22b(+), the recombinant plasmid was transformed into E. coli BL21(DE3). The recombinant keratinase purif ied by hydrophobic interaction chromatography using HiTrap Phenyl-sepharose Fast Flow was a serine protease most active at 50 ℃ and pH 10. The activity of keratinase was enhanced by Mg2+ and K+, and inhibited by Mn2+. The highest keratinase activity was 460.2 U/mL in growth medium containing inducer(0.05 mmol/L IPTG, 150 mmol/L glycine and 60 g/L yeast extract) at 20 ℃. This report focused on the expression and characterization of recombinant keratinase in E. coli. We found that optimizing culture conditions could preferably enhance production of keratinase in E. coli. The results would be helpful in producing keratinase by gene engineering strain. Fig 4, Tab 1, Ref 22

Expression and characterization of extreme alkaline, oxidation-resistant keratinase from Bacillus licheniformis in recombinant Bacillus subtilis WB600 expression system and its application in wool fiber processing

A keratin-degrading bacterium of Bacillus licheniformis BBE11-1 was isolated and its ker gene encoding keratinase with native signal peptide was cloned and expressed in Bacillus subtilis WB600 under the strong P HpaII promoter of the pMA0911 vector. In the 3-L fermenter, the recombinant keratinase was secreted with 323 units/mL when non-induced after 24 h at 37 °C. And then, keratinase was concentrated and purified by hydrophobic interaction chromatography using HiTrap Phenyl-Sepharose Fast Flow. The recombinant keratinase had an optimal temperature and the pH at 40 °C and 10.5, respectively, and was stable at 10-50 °C and pH 7-11.5. We found this enzyme can retained 80 % activity after treated 5 h with 1 M H2O2, it was activated by Mg(2+), Co(2+) and could degraded broad substrates such as degraded feather, bovine serum albumin, casein, gelatin, the keratinase was considered to be a serine protease. Coordinate with Savinase, the keratinase could efficient prevent shrinkage and eliminate fibres of wool, which showed its potential in textile industries and detergent industries.

Modeling the effects of column packing quality and residence time changes on protein monomer/aggregate separation

The packing quality of chromatography columns used for the purification of protein therapeutics is routinely monitored to ensure consistent and reproducible performance. In this work, we used established chromatography models to determine the effect of column packing quality and fluid residence time on the separation of protein therapeutic monomer and aggregate species using a hydrophobic interaction chromatography adsorbent (Phenyl Sepharose Fast Flow). The relationship between the number of theoretical plates, fluid residence time, and column separation performance was quantified using modeling simulations. The simulations showed the separation depended on both the fluid residence time and the number of theoretical plates. However, when the number of theoretical plates was increased to ≥150, the simulations predicted that the separation performance of the column was not significantly improved. The approach described here could be used as a method to quantify acceptable height equivalent of a theoretical plate values for columns, and serve as a tool to understand how column packing quality impacts a given chromatographic separation prior to column scale-up, as well as during the monitoring of column lifetime in the manufacturing of large scale protein therapeutics.

Purification and characterization of a novel carbonyl reductase with high stereo-selectivity

A novel NADPH-dependent carbonyl reductase was separated from Candida parapsilosis CCTCC 203011. The enzyme gave a single band on sodium dodecyl sulfatepolyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), which was purified through ammonium sulfate, Diethylamino Ethanol (DEAE) sepharose Fast flow (FF), phenyl-sepharose FF and blue sepharose FF chromatography from cell-free extract. The molecular mass of the enzyme was about 30 kDa. The optimum pH and temperature for reduction were 4.5°C and 35°C, respectively. The Cu2+ had strong restrictive effect on enzyme activity. In addition, the carbonyl reductase was an enzyme with high substrate specificity and stereo-selectivity, and showed high asymmetric reduction activity towards α-hydroxyacetophenone and ethyl 4-chloro acetoacetate. For the asymmetric reduction of α-hydroxyacetophenone and ethyl 4-chloro acetoacetate, (S)-1-phenyl-1,2-ethanediol and (R)-ethyl4-chloro-3-hydroxybutanoate were produced by the purified enzyme, with the 100% and 94.3% e.e. value, respectively. Therefore, the enzyme could be one of the effective biocatalysts for asymmetric synthesis of chiral alcohols. The amino acid sequences of one peptide from the purified enzyme were analyzed by LC-MASS-MASS, and the carbonyl reductase showed some identity to the hypothetical protein CaO19.10414 reported.

The Skp1 Prolyl Hydroxylase from Dictyostelium Is Related to the Hypoxia-inducible Factor-α Class of Animal Prolyl 4-Hydroxylases

Skp1 is a cytoplasmic and nuclear protein of eukaryotes best known as an adaptor in SCF ubiquitin-protein isopeptide ligases. In Dictyostelium, Skp1 is subject to 4-hydroxylation at Pro(143) and subsequent O-glycosylation by alpha-linked GlcNAc and other sugars. Soluble cytosolic extracts have Skp1 prolyl 4-hydroxylase (P4H) activity, which can be measured based on hydroxylation-dependent transfer of [(3)H]GlcNAc to recombinant Skp1 by recombinant (Skp1-protein)-hydroxyproline alpha-N-acetyl-d-glucosaminyltransferase. The Dictyostelium Skp1 P4H gene (phyA) was predicted using a bioinformatics approach, and the expected enzyme activity was confirmed by expression of phyA cDNA in Escherichia coli. The purified recombinant enzyme (P4H1) was dependent on physiological concentrations of O(2), alpha-ketoglutarate, and ascorbate and was inhibited by CoCl(2), 3,4-dihydroxybenzoate, and 3,4-dihydroxyphenyl acetate, as observed for known animal cytoplasmic P4Hs of the hypoxia-inducible factor-alpha (HIFalpha) class. Overexpression of phyA cDNA in Dictyostelium yielded increased enzyme activity in a soluble cytosolic extract. Disruption of the phyA locus by homologous recombination resulted in loss of detectable activity in extracts and blocked hydroxylation-dependent glycosylation of Skp1 based on molecular weight analysis by SDS-PAGE, demonstrating a requirement for P4H1 in vivo. The sequence and functional similarities of P4H1 to animal HIFalpha-type P4Hs suggest that hydroxylation of Skp1 may, like that of animal HIFalpha, be regulated by availability of O(2), alpha-ketoglutarate, and ascorbate, which might exert novel control over Skp1 glycosylation.

Purification and characterization of a thermostable glucoamylase from Chaetomium thermophilum

Thermostable amylolytic enzymes are currently being investigated to improve industrial processes of starch degradation. A thermostable extracellular glucoamylase (exo-1, 4-alpha-D-glucanohydrolase, E.C.3.2.1.3) from the culture supernatant of a thermophilic fungus Chaetomium thermophilum was purified to sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) homogeneity by using ammonium sulfate fraction, DEAE-Sepharose Fast Flow chromatography, and Phenyl-Sepharose Fast Flow chromatography. SDS-PAGE of the purified enzyme showed a single protein band of molecular weight 64 kDa. The glucoamylase exhibited optimum catalytic activity at pH 4.0 and 65 degrees C. It was thermostable at 50 degrees C and 60 degrees C, and retained 50% activity after 60 min at 65 degrees C. The half-life of the enzyme at 70 degrees C was 20 min. N-terminal amino acid sequencing (15 residues) was AVDSYIERETPIAWN. Different metal ions showed different effects on the glucoamylase activity. Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+, and K+ enhanced the enzyme activity, whereas Fe2+, Ag+, and Hg2+ cause obvious inhibition. These properties make it applicable to other biotechnological purposes.

Chemical characterisation of different separation media based on agarose by static time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry

In this paper, the novel application of time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (TOF-SIMS) for qualitative and semi-quantitative investigation of the surface chemistry of separation media based on beaded agarose is reported. Five different media were studied: DEAE Sepharose™ Fast Flow, Q Sepharose Fast Flow, SP Sepharose Fast Flow, Phenyl Sepharose Fast Flow at ligand densities between 7 and 33% (w/w) and the base matrix Sepharose 6 Fast Flow. The obtained TOF-SIMS spectra reveal significant chemical information regarding the ligands (DEAE, Q, SP and Phenyl) which are covalently attached to the agarose-based matrix Sepharose 6 Fast Flow. For the anion-exchange media (DEAE and Q Sepharose Fast Flow), the positive TOF-SIMS spectra yielded several strong characteristic fragment peaks from the amine ligands. Structural information was obtained, e.g. from the peak at m/ z 173.20, originating from the ion structure [(C 2H 5) 2NCH 2CH 2NH(C 2H 5) 2] +, which shows that the ligand in DEAE Sepharose Fast Flow is composed of both tertiary and quaternary amines. The positive spectrum of Phenyl Sepharose Fast Flow contained major fragments both from the base matrix and the ligand. The cation-exchanger (SP Sepharose Fast Flow) gave rise to a positive spectrum resembling that of the base matrix (Sepharose 6 Fast Flow) but with a different intensity pattern of the matrix fragments. In addition, peaks with low intensity at m/ z 109.94, 125.94 and 139.95 corresponding to Na 2SO 2 +, Na 2SO 3 + and Na 2SO 3CH 2 +, respectively, were observed. The positive TOF-SIMS spectrum of Sepharose 6 Fast Flow contains a large number of fragments in the mass range up to m/ z 200 identified as C x H y O z and C x H y structures. The results clearly show that positive TOF-SIMS spectra of different media based on Sepharose 6 Fast Flow are strongly influenced by the ligand coupled to the matrix. The negative TOF-SIMS spectra contained several ligand-specific, characteristic peaks for the cation-exchanger, having sulphonate as the ion-exchange group. Negative fragments such as S −, SO −, SO 2 −, SO 3 −, C 2H 3SO 3 −, C 3H 5SO 3 − and OC 3H 5SO 3 − were observed. Phenyl Sepharose Fast Flow, which has an uncharged group (Phenyl) coupled to the agarose matrix yielded one ligand-related peak corresponding to the C 6H 5O − fragment. DEAE and Q ligands could only be identified by the appearance of the fragments CN − and CNO − in the negative spectrum. However, a strong peak corresponding to the counter ion (Cl −) was observed. TOF-SIMS analysis can also be used for the investigation of residues from the coupling procedure that bonds the ligands to the matrix. One example is the observation of bromine peaks in the negative spectrum of Q Sepharose Fast Flow. Furthermore, it has also been shown that different ligand concentrations of Phenyl Sepharose Fast Flow can easily be detected by TOF-SIMS analysis. Information regarding the difference between the ligand density on the surface of the beads and in the bulk can also be obtained. However, spectra registered on the outermost surface and on the pore surface (crushed beads) of DEAE Sepharose Fast Flow clearly show that the agarose and the DEAE groups are homogeneously distributed in the beads.

Protein Interactions within the N-end Rule Ubiquitin Ligation Pathway

Rate studies have been employed as a reporter function to probe protein-protein interactions within a biochemically defined reconstituted N-end rule ubiquitin ligation pathway. The concentration dependence for E1-catalyzed HsUbc2b/E2(14kb) transthiolation is hyperbolic and yields K(m) values of 102 +/- 13 nm and 123 +/- 19 nm for high affinity binding to rabbit and human E1/Uba1 orthologs. Competitive inhibition by the inactive substrate and product analogs HsUbc2bC88A (K(i) = 104 +/- 15 nm) and HsUbc2bC88S-ubiquitin oxyester (K(i) = 169 +/- 17 nm), respectively, indicates that the ubiquitin moiety contributes little to E1 binding. Under conditions of rate-limiting E3alpha-catalyzed conjugation to human alpha-lactalbumin, HsUbc2b-ubiquitin thiolester exhibits a K(i) of 54 +/- 18 nm and is competitively inhibited by the substrate analog HsUbc2bC88S-ubiquitin oxyester (K(i) = 66 +/- 29 nm). In contrast, the ligase product analog HsUbc2bC88A exhibits a K(i) of 440 +/- 55 nm with respect to the wild type HsUbc2b-ubiquitin thiolester, demonstrating that ubiquitin binding contributes to the ability of E3alpha to discriminate between substrate and product E2. A survey of E1 and E2 isoform distribution in selected cell lines demonstrates that Ubc2 isoforms are the predominant intracellular ubiquitin carrier protein. Intracellular levels of E1 and Ubc2 are micromolar and approximately equal based on in vitro quantitation by stoichiometric (125)I-ubiquitin thiolester formation. Comparison of intracellular E1 and Ubc2 pools with the corresponding ubiquitin pools reveals that most of the free ubiquitin in cells is present as thiolesters to the components of the conjugation pathways. The present data represent the first comprehensive analysis of protein interactions within a ubiquitin ligation pathway.

The phosphoglucose isomerase from the hyperthermophilic archaeon Pyrococcus furiosus is a unique glycolytic enzyme that belongs to the cupin superfamily.

Pyrococcus furiosus uses a variant of the Embden-Meyerhof pathway during growth on sugars. All but one of the genes that encode the glycolytic enzymes of P. furiosus have previously been identified, either by homology searching of its genome or by reversed genetics. We here report the isolation of the missing link of the pyrococcal glycolysis, the phosphoglucose isomerase (PGI), which was purified to homogeneity from P. furiosus and biochemically characterized. The P. furiosus PGI, a dimer of identical 23.5-kDa subunits, catalyzes the reversible isomerization of glucose 6-phosphate to fructose 6-phosphate, with K(m) values of 1.99 and 0.63 mm, respectively. An optimum pH of 7.0 has been determined in both directions, and at its optimum temperature of 90 degrees C the enzyme has a half-life of 2.4 h. The N-terminal sequence was used for the identification of the pgiA gene in the P. furiosus genome. The pgiA transcription start site has been determined, and a monocistronic messenger was detected in P. furiosus during growth on maltose and pyruvate. The pgiA gene was functionally expressed in Escherichia coli BL21(DE3). The deduced amino acid sequence of this first archaeal PGI revealed that it is not related to its bacterial and eukaryal counterparts. In contrast, this archaeal PGI shares similarity with the cupin superfamily that consists of a variety of proteins that are generally involved in sugar metabolism in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes. As for the P. furiosus PGI, distinct phylogenetic origins have previously been reported for other enzymes from the pyrococcal glycolytic pathway. Apparently, convergent evolution by recruitment of several unique enzymes has resulted in the unique Pyrococcus glycolysis.

Construction and expression of antibody targeted plasminogen activator*

It has been known that antibody-mediated plasminogen activator will be much more specific than its parent molecular. To get a cheaper and more effective medicine for thrombolytic therapy, we used SZ51, a GMP140 specific monoclonal antibody, and a truncated single-chain urokinase to construct a novel targeted plasminogen activator. PCR was used to amplify the region of VL and VH chains from Fab of SZ51, GMP140 specific monoclonal antibody, and scu-PA-32KD(leu144-leu411) from urokinase gene, respectively. Through suitable linker and appropriate restriction sites, these fragments were joined together and inserted into the expression vector, pET-5a, via NdeI site. The recombinant protein was expressed in BL21 (DE3) plyS, a kind of E. coli. It was shown in Western-blotting and ELISA that the protein could interact with the multiple cloned antibody of urokinase. After partial purification: dialysis, Sephadex G-100, dialysis and Phenyl-Sepharose fast flow, the product had a strong fibrinolytic activity through activating plasminogen on fibrin plate. The specific activity was about 47,000 IU/mg, corresponding to 80,000 IU/mg for the part of rscu-PA-32k, and the activity could be inhibited specifically by urokinase specific antibody. Activation of plasminogen by the chimera followed Michaelis-Menten kinetics, and the K(m) was 1.08 uM.

Purification and some properties of an extracellular l-amino acid oxidase from Cellulomonas cellulans AM8 isolated from soil

The soil isolate Cellulomonas cellulans AM8 produces an extracellular l-amino acid oxidase (L-AAO) with broad substrate specificity. The strain produced up to 0.35 unit (U)/ml of the extracellular L-AAO in a simple medium containing glycerol and yeast extract. The enzyme was easily purified up to 30 U/mg protein using Phenyl-Sepharose fast flow. The purified enzyme migrated as single band on sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) with a molecular mass of 55 kDa. On native PAGE the molecular mass was approx. 300 000 kDa, which may be due to aggregation. With the exception of glycine, proline, and threonine, all the amino acids normally constituting proteins were oxidized. The Vmax values from 0.7 to 35.2 U/mg for aspartic acid and lysine, respectively, and the Km values from 0.007 to 7.1 mm for cysteine and valine, respectively, were obtained at 25° C and pH 7.0 in oxygen-saturated solutions. The L-AAO had a pH optimum of 6.5–7.5. It was stable for several months at — 30° C and for some days at 35° C. Ferricyanide served as an electron acceptor with a Vmax of 50 U/mg and Km for 0.3 mm with phenylalanine as the substrate.

Purification and characterization of a calcium-unresponsive, phorbol ester/phospholipid-activated protein kinase from porcine spleen.

A calcium-unresponsive, phorbol ester/phospholipid-activated protein kinase was purified to apparent homogeneity from a Triton X-100 extract of an EGTA/EDTA-preextracted particulate fraction of porcine spleen by chromatography on S-Sepharose Fast Flow, phenyl-Sepharose Fast Flow, protamine-agarose, and Superdex 200. The enzyme had a Mr of 76,000, as estimated by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (p76-kinase). A similar value (78,000) was obtained by gel filtration. The purified p76-kinase proved to be much more stable than the enzyme in crude preparations. Storage in a buffer containing 50 mM mercaptoethanol and 20% glycerol at -20 degrees C for at least 4 months caused less than 20% loss in enzyme activity. The enzyme exhibited a pH optimum of 8.3. The affinity of the novel enzyme for substrates and cofactors differed to some extent from that of conventional alpha, beta, gamma protein kinase C (PKC). p76-kinase did not respond to calcium, had a lower requirement for magnesium, and a higher affinity for histone III-S than PKC. Both the p76-kinase-catalyzed phosphorylation of histone III-S and the autophosphorylation of the enzyme could be activated by the phorbol ester TPA (or diacylglycerol) plus phosphatidyl serine, but not by calcium plus phosphatidyl serine. The stoichiometry of autophosphorylation suggested that fully phosphorylated p76-kinase contained two phosphoserine residues and one phosphothreonine residue. Like PKC, p76-kinase bound TPA with high affinity (KD = 9.6 nM). In the absence of TPA, various unsaturated fatty acids, particularly arachidonic acid, were more potent as activators of the enzyme than phosphatidyl serine. The p76-kinase was recognized by an antiserum raised against a delta PKC-specific peptide, but not by an alpha, beta, gamma PKC-specific antiserum. The previously described p82-kinase of mouse epidermis and spleen exhibiting the same properties as the p76-kinase did also react with the p76-kinase-specific antiserum.

Purification and characterization of ATP sulfurylase from the extremely thermophilic archaebacterial sulfate-reducer, Archaeoglobus fulgidus

ATP sulfurylase (sulfate adenylyltransferase, EC 2.7.7.4) was isolated from the recently described extremely thermophilic sulfate-reducing archaebacterium Archaeglobus fulgidus. The enzyme was purified by ammonium sulfate fractionation and FPLC on Phenyl-Sepharose Fast Flow, Mono-Q and Superose 6. The Mr of ATP sulfurylase was estimated at 150 000 by analytical gel filtration on Superose 6. The enzyme exhibited a strong tendency to form catalytically active trimers. The enzyme preparation gave two bands with molecular weights of 50 000 and 53 000 on analysis of SDS-PAGE, suggesting an α2β structure of the monomer. The pH-optimum for activity was 8.0 and the optimum reaction temperature was 90°C. The apparent Km values for adenylylsulfate and yrophosphate were 0.17 mM and 0.13 mM, respectively. The pI of the archaebacterial ATP sulfurylase was 4.3.

Purification and characterization of ATP sulfurylase from the extremely thermophilic archaebacterial sulfate-reducer, Archaeoglobus fulgidus

ATP sulfurylase (sulfate adenylyltransferase, EC 2.7.7.4) was isolated from the recently described extremely thermophilic sulfate-reducing archaebacterium Archaeglobus fulgidus. The enzyme was purified by ammonium sulfate fractionation and FPLC on Phenyl-Sepharose Fast Flow, Mono-Q and Superose 6. The Mr of ATP sulfurylase was estimated at 150 000 by analytical gel filtration on Superose 6. The enzyme exhibited a strong tendency to form catalytically active trimers. The enzyme preparation gave two bands with molecular weights of 50 000 and 53 000 on analysis of SDS-PAGE, suggesting an α2β structure of the monomer. The pH-optimum for activity was 8.0 and the optimum reaction temperature was 90°C. The apparent Km values for adenylylsulfate and yrophosphate were 0.17 mM and 0.13 mM, respectively. The pI of the archaebacterial ATP sulfurylase was 4.3.