Phosphoryl-enzyme Intermediate Research Articles

Brain Contains a Functional Glucose-6-Phosphatase Complex Capable of Endogenous Glucose Production

Glucose is absolutely essential for the survival and function of the brain. In our current understanding, there is no endogenous glucose production in the brain, and it is totally dependent upon blood glucose. This glucose is generated between meals by the hydrolysis of glucose-6-phosphate (Glc-6-P) in the liver and the kidney. Recently, we reported a ubiquitously expressed Glc-6-P hydrolase, glucose-6-phosphatase-beta (Glc-6-Pase-beta), that can couple with the Glc-6-P transporter to hydrolyze Glc-6-P to glucose in the terminal stages of glycogenolysis and gluconeogenesis. Here we show that astrocytes, the main reservoir of brain glycogen, express both the Glc-6-Pase-beta and Glc-6-P transporter activities and that these activities can couple to form an active Glc-6-Pase complex, suggesting that astrocytes may provide an endogenous source of brain glucose.

Protein tyrosine phosphatases: X-ray crystallographic observation of cysteinyl-phosphate reaction intermediate

The chapter considers some of the theoretical and practical parameters for optimizing the accumulation of the phosphoryl-enzyme intermediate in solution because this is a prerequisite for trapping the phosphoryl enzyme in the crystalline state. An enzyme-catalyzed reaction is a multistep event, with each step governed by discrete kinetic rate constants. The formation of phosphoryl-enzyme intermediates is a necessary component of numerous enzymatic reactions that involve phosphoryl-transfer processes. These include, for example, the dephosphorylation of phosphoamino acids by the members of the protein tyrosine phosphatase (PTP) superfamily. The opposing activities of the protein phosphatases and protein kinases regulate the overall level of intracellular protein phosphorylation, an essential process of the signal transduction pathways triggered by hormones, mitogens, and oncogenes that regulate growth, differentiation, and proliferation. The PTPs are a large and diverse family of enzymes that comprise tyrosine-specific transmembrane receptor-like PTPs and soluble cytosolic proteins, as well as the subfamily of dual-specificity phosphatases (DSPs). The DSPs are related in terms of structure and catalytic mechanism to the tyrosine-specific phosphatases but differ in their substrate selectivity, being capable of dephosphorylating all three phosphoamino acids.

Monitoring the GAP catalyzed H-Ras GTPase reaction at atomic resolution in real time.

The molecular reaction mechanism of the GTPase-activating protein (GAP)-catalyzed GTP hydrolysis by Ras was investigated by time resolved Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) difference spectroscopy using caged GTP (P(3)-1-(2-nitro)phenylethyl guanosine 5'-O-triphosphate) as photolabile trigger. This approach provides the complete GTPase reaction pathway with time resolution of milliseconds at the atomic level. Up to now, one structural model of the GAP x Ras x GDP x AlF(x) transition state analog is known, which represents a "snap shot" along the reaction-pathway. As now revealed, binding of GAP to Ras x GTP shifts negative charge from the gamma to beta phosphate. Such a shift was already identified by FTIR in GTP because of Ras binding and is now shown to be enhanced by GAP binding. Because the charge distribution of the GAP x Ras x GTP complex thus resembles a more dissociative-like transition state and is more like that in GDP, the activation free energy is reduced. An intermediate is observed on the reaction pathway that appears when the bond between beta and gamma phosphate is cleaved. In the intermediate, the released P(i) is strongly bound to the protein and surprisingly shows bands typical of those seen for phosphorylated enzyme intermediates. All these results provide a mechanistic picture that is different from the intrinsic GTPase reaction of Ras. FTIR analysis reveals the release of P(i) from the protein complex as the rate-limiting step for the GAP-catalyzed reaction. The approach presented allows the study not only of single proteins but of protein-protein interactions without intrinsic chromophores, in the non-crystalline state, in real time at the atomic level.

Expression of a prokaryotic P-type ATPase in E. coli Plasma Membranes and Purification by Ni2+-affinity chromatography.

In order to characterize the P-type ATPase from Synechocystis 6803 [Geisler (1993) et al. J. Mol. Biol. 234, 1284] and to facilitate its purification, we expressed an N-terminal 6xHis-tagged version of the ATPase in an ATPase deficient E. coli strain. The expressed ATPase was immunodetected as a dominant band of about 97 kDa localized to the E. coli plasma membranes representing about 20-25% of the membrane protein. The purification of the Synecho-cystis 6xHis-ATPase by single-step Ni-affinity chromatography under native and denaturating conditions is described. ATPase activity and the formation of phosphointermediates verify the full function of the enzyme: the ATPase is inhibited by vanadate (IC50= 119 μM) and the formation of phosphorylated enzyme intermediates shown by acidic PAGE depends on calcium, indicating that the Synechocystis P-ATPase functions as a calcium pump.

Transmembrane Topology of Glucose-6-Phosphatase

Deficiency of microsomal glucose-6-phosphatase (G6Pase), the key enzyme in glucose homeostasis, causes glycogen storage disease type 1a, an autosomal recessive disorder. Characterization of the transmembrane topology of G6Pase should facilitate the identification of amino acid residues contributing to the active site and broaden our understanding of the effects of mutations that cause glycogen storage disease type 1a. Using N- and C-terminal tagged G6Pase, we show that in intact microsomes, the N terminus is resistant to protease digestion, whereas the C terminus is sensitive to such treatment. Our results demonstrate that G6Pase possesses an odd number of transmembrane helices, with its N and C termini facing the endoplasmic reticulum lumen and the cytoplasm, respectively. During catalysis, a phosphoryl-enzyme intermediate is formed, and the phosphoryl acceptor in G6Pase is a His residue. Sequence alignment suggests that mammalian G6Pases, lipid phosphatases, acid phosphatases, and a vanadium-containing chloroperoxidase (whose tertiary structure is known) share a conserved phosphatase motif. Active-site alignment of the vanadium-containing chloroperoxidase and G6Pases predicts that Arg-83, His-119, and His-176 in G6Pase contribute to the active site and that His-176 is the residue that covalently binds the phosphoryl moiety during catalysis. This alignment also predicts that Arg-83, His-119, and His-176 reside on the same side of the endoplasmic reticulum membrane, which is supported by the recently predicted nine-transmembrane helical model for G6Pase. We have previously shown that Arg-83 is involved in positioning the phosphate during catalysis and that His-119 is essential for G6Pase activity. Here we demonstrate that substitution of His-176 with structurally similar or dissimilar amino acids inactivates the enzyme, suggesting that His-176 could be the phosphoryl acceptor in G6Pase during catalysis.

Identification of essential glutamates in the acetate kinase from Methanosarcina thermophila.

Acetate kinase catalyzes the reversible phosphorylation of acetate (CH3COO- + ATP<-->CH3CO2PO3(2-) + ADP). A mechanism which involves a covalent phosphoryl-enzyme intermediate has been proposed, and chemical modification studies of the enzyme from Escherichia coli indicate an unspecified glutamate residue is phosphorylated (J. A. Todhunter and D. L. Purich, Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 60:273-280, 1974). Alignment of the amino acid sequences for the acetate kinases from E. coli (Bacteria domain), Methanosarcina thermophila (Archaea domain), and four other phylogenetically divergent microbes revealed high identity which included five glutamates. These glutamates were replaced in the M. thermophila enzyme to determine if any are essential for catalysis. The histidine-tagged altered enzymes were produced in E. coli and purified to electrophoretic homogeneity by metal affinity chromatography. Replacements of E384 resulted in either undetectable or extremely low kinase activity, suggesting E384 is essential for catalysis which supports the proposed mechanism. Replacement of E385 influenced the Km values for acetate and ATP with only moderate decreases in k(cat), which suggests that this residue is involved in substrate binding but not catalysis. The unaltered acetate kinase was not inactivated by N-ethylmaleimide; however, replacement of E385 with cysteine conferred sensitivity to N-ethylmaleimide which was prevented by preincubation with acetate, acetyl phosphate, ATP, or ADP, suggesting that E385 is located near the active site. Replacement of E97 decreased the Km value for acetate but not ATP, suggesting this residue is involved in binding acetate. Replacement of either E32 or E334 had no significant effects on the kinetic constants, which indicates that neither residue is essential for catalysis or significantly influences the binding of acetate or ATP.

Expression and characterization of a Synechocystis PCC 6803 P-type ATPase in E. coli plasma membranes

In a previous paper, we published the sequence of a P-type ATPase gene from Synechocystis 6803 [Geisler et al. (1993) J. Mol. Biol. 234, 1284] which showed significant homologies to eukaryotic calcium ATPases. To investigate the specificity and activities of this plasma membrane-bound enzyme, we expressed the slightly modified gene in an ATPase deficient E. coli strain. The expressed ATPase showed an apparent molecular mass of about 97 kDa and is localized in the E. coli plasma membranes. The introduced 6xHis tag at the N-terminus allowed the purification of the Synechocystis 6xHis-ATPase by single-step affinity chromatography using a Ni 2+-nitrilotriacetic acid resin. The ATPase activity of the enzyme is inhibited by vanadate (IC 50=119 μM), N-ethylmaleimide, N, N-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide, and inhibitors of eukaryotic sarco(endo)plasmic reticulum Ca 2+-ATPases; however, it is stimulated by thapsigargin. Formation of phosphorylated enzyme intermediates depends on calcium ions indicating that the Synechocystis P-ATPase acts as a calcium pump equivalent to eukaryotic sarco(endo)plasmic reticulum Ca 2+-ATPases.

Crystal Structure of the Catalytic Subunit of Human Protein Phosphatase 1 and its Complex with Tungstate

Protein phosphatase 1 (PP1) is a serine/threonine protein phosphatase that is essential in regulating diverse cellular processes. Here we report the crystal structure of the catalytic subunit of human PP1 γ1and its complex with tungstate at 2.5 Å resolution. The anomalous scattering from tungstate was used in a multiple wavelength anomalous dispersion experiment to derive crystallographic phase information. The protein adopts a single domain with a novel fold, distinct from that of the protein tyrosine phosphatases. A di-nuclear ion centre consisting of Mn 2+and Fe 2+is situated at the catalytic site that binds the phosphate moiety of the substrate. Proton-induced X-ray emission spectroscopy was used to identify the nature of the ions bound to the enzyme. The structural data indicate that dephosphorylation is catalysed in a single step by a metal-activated water molecule. This contrasts with other phosphatases, including protein tyrosine phosphatases, acid and alkaline phosphatases which form phosphoryl-enzyme intermediates. The structure of PP1 provides insight into the molecular mechanism for substrate recognition, enzyme regulation and inhibition of this enzyme by toxins and tumour promoters and a basis for understanding the expanding family of related phosphatases which include PP2A and PP2B (calcineurin).

Energetics of pyruvate phosphate dikinase catalysis.

The present study was carried out to determine the energetics of Clostridium symbiosum pyruvate phosphate dikinase (PPDK) catalyzed interconversion of adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP), orthophosphate (Pi), and pyruvate (pyr) with adenosine 5'-monophosphate (AMP), inorganic pyrophosphate, and phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP) [E.ATP <==> E-PP.AMP <==> E-PP.AMP.Pi <==> E-P.AMP.PPi <==> E-P.pyr <==> E.PEP where E-PP and E-P represent the pyrophosphoryl and phosphoryl enzyme intermediates]. Thermodynamic techniques were used along with steady-state and pre-steady-state kinetic techniques to determine the rate constants for the substrate/product binding and release steps and the rate constants for the forward and reverse chemical steps. These values were used along with estimates of the cellular concentrations of the substrates and products to construct the free energy profile for the enzymatic reaction under physiological conditions. The energy profile obtained with the Mg2+/NH4(+)-activated enzyme revealed well-balanced transition states and well-balanced internal ground state energies (i.e., within 1 kcal/mol of each other). Examination of the energetics of the reaction steps leading from ATP to phosphohistidine formation in E-P suggested the use of intrinsic binding energy in the synthesis of a high energy P-N linkage. Comparison of the energy profiles of the Mg2+/NH4(+)-vs Co2+/NH4(+)-activated enzymes revealed cofactor selectivity at each of the phosphosphoryl transfer steps.

Assay of covalent intermediate of 5′-nucleotide phosphodiesterase

We report a new procedure for isolating a covalent phosphoryl enzyme (diester) intermediate of bovine intestinal 5′-nucleotide phosphodiesterase. The convenience of the procedure makes it possible to determine effects of reaction conditions on the yield of covalent intermediate. Under optimum conditions, using [ methyl- 3H]deoxythymidine 5′-triphosphate as substrate, more than 50% of the enzyme is recovered as thymidylyl enzyme, a 10-fold increase in yield over the previous procedure ( M. Landt and L. G. Butler, 1978, Biochemistry 17, 4130–4135). Yields of thymidylyl enzyme were maximal at pH 4, whereas optimum catalytic activity is observed at pH > 9.

Mechanisms of Ca2+ release from sarcoplasmic reticulum of skeletal muscle.

Since the discovery of the ATP-dependent Ca2+ transport by SR a little over two decades ago, remarkable progress has been made in understanding the kinetic mechanism of Ca2+ transport and ATP hydrolysis and the role of phosphorylated enzyme intermediates in the energetics of active ion transport. Significant information has accumulated on the structure and composition of the SR membrane, on the primary amino acid sequence of the Ca2+-pump protein, and on the adaptive changes in the Ca2+-transport function during embryonic development and muscle activity. The discovery of the charge movement as a step in EC coupling and the use of novel optical probes for analyzing potential and calcium transients in living muscle changed the enigma of EC coupling into a well-defined problem that is clearly open to rational solutions. Studies on the structure, composition, and function of the isolated components of the T-SR system have just begun. The effectiveness of this approach will depend on successful maintenance of the functionally intact structure of the T-SR junction during the disruption of the muscle, which is required for the isolation of pure membrane elements. Reconstitution of a functionally competent junctional complex from isolated components is the ultimate aim of these studies, but the path toward that goal is so difficult that much of the mechanism of EC coupling may be solved by electrophysiologists, before reconstitution is achieved. The avalanche of information on Ca2+ releases induced by various agents under diverse and sometimes ill-defined conditions led to formulation of a series of hypothetical mechanisms. Of these, Ca2+-induced Ca2+ release promises to be an important element of the physiological Ca2+-release process, but few of the other proposed mechanisms can be eliminated from consideration at this stage. The impressive progress of the last few years has left several fundamental problems largely unsolved. Among these are the physical mode of translocation of Ca2+ across the membrane and the molecular mechanism of the coupling of Ca2+ transport to ATP hydrolysis; the regulation of the concentration of the Ca2+-pump protein and calcium in the SR of fast and slow skeletal, cardiac, and smooth muscles; the gating mechanisms that regulate the graded release of calcium from the SR and the composition and biochemical characterization of the triad; the role of SR membrane potential in the regulation of Ca2+ fluxes in vivo; the permeability of SR membranes in living muscle; the functional significance of protein-protein interactions in the SR with respect to Ca2+ transport and permeability control.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Evidence that catalysis by yeast inorganic pyrophosphatase proceeds by direct phosphoryl transfer to water and not via a phosphoryl enzyme intermediate

In this work, we show that adenosine 5'-O-(3-thiotriphosphate) (ATP gamma S) is a substrate for yeast inorganic pyrophosphatase (PPase) (EC 3.6.1.1) and further, using chirally labeled [gamma-17O,18O]ATP gamma S, that enzyme-catalyzed hydrolysis to produce chiral inorganic thio[17O,18O]phosphate proceeds with inversion of configuration. Both the synthesis of chiral ATP gamma S and the determination of inorganic thiophosphate configuration were carried out as described by Webb [Webb, M. R. (1982) Methods Enzymol. 87, 301-316]. We also show in a single turnover experiment performed in H2(18)O that 1 mol each of 18O16O3P and 16O4P is produced per mol of inorganic pyrophosphate hydrolyzed, a strong indication that oxygen uptake to form inorganic phosphate on PPase catalysis of inorganic pyrophosphate hydrolysis comes directly from H2O. These two results provide strong evidence for the conclusion that PPase catalyzes inorganic pyrophosphate hydrolysis via a single-step direct phosphoryl transfer to water and does not involve formation of a phosphorylated enzyme intermediate.

31P NMR chemical shifts of phosphate covalently bound to proteins.

31P nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy for characterizing the nature of covalently bound phosphate in proteins is relatively unexploited by the biochemist. 31P NMR chemical shifts of phosphate covalently bound to naturally occurring phosphoproteins, phosphorylated enzyme intermediates and chemically phosphorylated proteins have been compiled in this review. The chemical shifts (31P NMR) of selected reference compounds are reported to assist in the assignment of 31P resonances of phosphate covalently attached to proteins. 31P NMR chemical shifts of phosphate and phospho compounds non-covalently bound to selected proteins as well as the pH dependence of 31P NMR resonance have also been compiled.

A hypothesis for the role of dithiol-disulfide interchange in solute transport and energy-transducing processes.

We have recently shown that the physical mechanism for delta approximately mu H+-driven changes in the Km for three different transport systems is an oxidation-reduction reaction involving a dithiol-disulfide interconversion [Robillard, G.T. and Konings, W.N. (1981) Biochemistry, 20, 5025-5032; Konings, W.N. and Robillard, G.T. (1982) Proc. Natl Acad. Sci. USA, in the press]. Based on the similarities between the data from these three systems and published data from other systems, we now propose that dithiol-disulfide interchange may play a general role in membrane-related processes such as transport, energy transduction and hormone-receptor interactions. We propose that the affinities of the substrate-binding sites are regulated by a dithiol and a disulfide situated at different depths in the membrane. In addition we propose that the oxidation states of these two redox centers are coupled by dithiol-disulfide interchange such that, when one is oxidized, the other is reduced. Since a transmembrane electrical potential, delta psi, or a pH gradient, delta pH, can alter the redox state, it can change the affinity of the substrate-binding sites. The delta approximately mu H+-induced changes in affinity are sufficient to drive active transport (symport or antiport) and energy-transducing processes. A similar mechanism can be applied to transport systems driven by phosphorylated enzyme intermediates instead of delta approximately mu H+. Changes of the redox potential in a given compartment during metabolism could also control the affinity of ligand binding even in the absence of a delta approximately mu H+. The ligand-binding affinities of facilitated diffusion transport systems and receptor proteins may be regulated in this manner.

Nucleoside phosphotransferase from barley. Characterization and evidence for ping pong kinetics involving phosphoryl enzyme.

A nucleoside phosphotransferase has been purified to homogeneity from barley seedlings. Its Mr is about 50,000 and it consists of two subunits of equal size. A tightly bound metal ion required for activity can be replaced by Mg, Ba, or Co ions, but not by divalent Cu, Ca, Cd, or Hg. The enzyme is capable of catalyzing the transfer of phosphate from nucleoside monophosphates to the 5'-hydroxyl of any other nucleoside, but shows a decided preference for purine deoxynucleoside phosphate acceptors. A short lived phosphoryl enzyme intermediate has been trapped by rapid denaturation in presence of [32P]AMP. The steady state kinetics of this enzyme is found to be fully consistent with a branched ping pong pathway involving a compulsory phosphoryl enzyme intermediate from which phosphate may be transferred to nucleoside or to water. With appropriately chosen substrates, parallel line reciprocal plots were obtained, provided that both products of the branched pathway were taken into account in the rate measurements. Conversely, when only transphosphorylation was measured, converging reciprocal plots were obtained. Accordingly, assays were devised for the measurement of three velocity components: transphosphorylation, hydrolysis, and the sum of both reactions. Competitive inhibition of the transferase reaction by higher concentrations of either substrate is attributed to deadend interactions. Instead of being inhibited by the formation of a putative E-P.AMP complex, however, the phosphatase reaction is accelerated almost 2-fold.

Transient and steady-state kinetic studies of sodium-potassium adenosine triphosphatase using .beta.-(2-Furyl)acryloyl phosphate as chromophoric substrate assay

A convenient and highly specific continuous spectrophotometric assay for sodium-potassium adenosine triphosphate activity utilizing the rapidly hydrolyzed and high-affinity chromophoric substrate beta-(2-furyl)acryloyl phosphate (FAP) is described. The Na/K-ATPase-catalyzed hydrolysis of FAP is faster than that for ATP under all ionic conditions. The rate is neither inhibited nor activated by Na+; it is dependent on [K+] and on [Mg2+]. The hydrolysis of FAP to furylacrylate is accompanied by a large shift in the UV absorbance maximum. The spectrum of FAP, but not furylacrylate, is sensitive to noncovalent ligation with Mg2+, a happenstance which permits the identification of Mg2+FAP, and consequently allows for a probe of the role of Mg2+ in the catalysis. Mg2+ binding to the active site is essential for catalysis. MgFAP is more tightly bound to the site than is FAP2-, but the complex is not obligatory for catalysis. The formation of a phosphoryl-enzyme intermediate is not evident in the reaction of FAP with the enzyme. Transient kinetic experiments, utilizing an excess of MgFAP, demonstrate a unique steady-state rate-limiting production of furylacrylate. These results indicate that the pathway demonstrated with ATP is not appropriate to the FAPase mechanism. The results suggest that acyl phosphates are good "phosphatase" substrates either because they are analogues of the phosphatase-specific phosphoryl-enzyme or because they react exclusively with the isomerized "E2" form of the enzyme.

Stereochemical course of the reaction catalyzed by 5'-nucleotide phosphodiesterase from snake venom

The hydrolysis reaction of ATP alpha S by snake venom phosphodiesterase is highly specific for the B diastereomer and proceeds with 88% retention of configuration at phosphorus. Since this enzyme also catalyzes the hydrolysis of the S enantimoer of O-p-nitrophenyl phenylphosphonothioate, the absolute configuration at A alpha of ATP alpha S (B) is assigned as the R configuration provided the two substrates are processed identically. A mechanism for the hydrolysis reactions catalzyed by the venom phosphodiesterase involving at least a single covalent phosphoryl-enzyme intermediate is in accord with this result.

Isolation of τ-phosphohistidine from a phosphoryl-enzyme intermediate of human prostatic acid phosphatase

The carbethoxylation of prostatic acid phosphatase (orthophosphoricmonoester phosphohydrolase (acid optimum), EC 3.1.3.2) was accompanied by modification of histidine residues and the inactivation of the enzyme. These findings are consistent with photoinactivation experiments described earlier (Rybarska, J. and Ostrowski, W. (1974) Acta Biochim. Polon. 21, 377–390). Prostatic acid phosphatase was phosphorylated at alkaline pH using p-nitrophenyl [ 32P]phosphate as substrate. Phosphoryl enzyme is stable solutions and undergoes dephosphorylation at acidic pH. After hydrolysis of phosphoryl enzyme in strong alkaline solution, a single phosphoryl amino acid was isolated from hydrolyzate and identified as the τ-phosphohistidine.

Phosphoglycerate mutase from wheat germ: studies with oxygen-18-labeled substrate, investigations of the phosphatase and phosphoryl transfer activities, and evidence for a phosphoryl-enzyme intermediate

From studies using unlabeled phospho-D-glycerate in solutions enriched in H2(18)O, and from experiments involving [18O]phospho-D-glycerate, it is shown that the intramolecular isomerization of 2- and 3-phospho-D-glycerate that is catalyzed by the phosphoglycerate mutase from wheat germ does not involve an intermediate 2,3-cyclic phosphate. It is also shown that phosphoglycerate mutase catalyzes the hydrolysis of the substrate analogues 2-phosphoglycolate, 2-phospho-D-lactate, 3-phosphohydroxypropionate, phosphoenolpyruvate, and phosphohydroxypyruvate. The substrates 3- and 2-phospho-D-glycerate are not hydrolyzed, nor are 2,3-bisphospho-D-glycerate, 2-phospho-L-lactate, 3-phospho-L-glycerate, or sn-glycerol 3-phosphate. Although no exchange of D-[14C]glycerate into phospho-D-glycerate can be detected, the enzyme catalyzes the transfer of the phosphoryl group from "unnatural" donors such as 2-phosphoglycolate, to the "natural" acceptor, D-glycerate. It is concluded that the intramolecular phosphoryl transfer catalyzed by the wheat germ phosphoglycerate mutase follows a pathway involving a phosphoryl-enzyme intermediate.

Kinetic competence of a phosphoryl enzyme intermediate in the glucose-1,6-p2 synthase-catalyzed reaction. Purification, properties, and kinetic studies.

Glucose-1,6-P2 synthase of beef brain which catalyzes the formation of glucose-1,6-P2 and glycerate-3-P from glycerate-1,3-P2 and glucose-1-P has been purified 700-fold with an overall recovery of 19%. The purification procedure involves an ammonium sulfate fractionation of the crude extract, DE52 and hydroxylapatite column chromatography and isoelectric focusing. The isolated enzyme appears to be homogeneous by sodium dodecyl sulfate gel electrophoresis. Its molecular weight is estimated to be about 70,000 by gel filtration on Sephadex G-200 which agrees with the value obtained by sodium dodecyl sulfate gel electrophoresis. A phosphoryl enzyme intermediate in the catalytic reaction is indicated by the following evidence: glycerate-1,3-P2[1-32P] labels the enzyme. The label is removed by acceptor substrates such as glucose-1-P. Using a rapid quenching device at 23 degrees and pH 8.0, the first order rate constant for phosphorylation of the enzyme is 20 s-1, compared with an overall rate with the best acceptor, glucose-1-P, of 19 s-1. Dephosphorylation by glucose-1-P is at 37 s-1. Mg2+ is required for both phosphoryl transfers and the overall reaction. In the complete reaction the fraction of enzyme that is phosphorylated depends on the concentrations of glycerate-1,3-P2 and the concentration and nature of the acceptor in a way that could be predicted from the steady state parameters, the Km values, and the kinetic constants observed for the single turnover. Reciprocal plots of initial rates as a function of both substrate concentrations are families of parallel lines. The 32P-labeled phosphoryl enzyme intermediate was found to be acid-stable and somewhat alkaline-labile. Phosphoserine was identified from the partial acid hydrolysate of a protease digest of [32P] phosphoryl enzyme by two-dimensional thin layer chromatography.