JBC, Vol. 250, Issue 16, 6337-6343, Aug, 1975
On the interaction of alpha-lactalbumin and galactosyltransferase during lactose synthesis
J. T. Powell and K. Brew
The regulatory effect of alpha-lactalbumin in the lactose synthase system
has been ascribed to its reversible association with a complex of
galactosyltransferase with Mn2+ and UDP-galactose, prior to the binding of
monosaccharides; the resulting complex has a higher affinity for various
monosaccharides. Two steps in the postulated catalytic cycle have been
investigated; UDP-galactose binding to enzyme-Mn2+ by equilibrium dialysis
and alpha-lactalbumin binding to enzyme-Mn2+-UDP-galactose by sedimentation
velocity and kinetics. There is a single binding site for UDP-galactose on
the enzyme-Mn2+ complex, and the dissociation constant for UDP-galactose
from enzyme-Mn2+-UDP-galactose was found to be 72 muM at 37 degrees. The
formation of a complex between galactosyltransferase and alpha-lactalbumin
in the presence of Mn2+ and UDP-galactose was observed as an increase in
sedimentation coefficient of enzyme activity So20,w from 3.25 +/- 0.03 in
the absence of alpha-lactalbumin to 4.22 +/- 0.03 at saturating
concentrations of alpha-lactalbumin, a value closely similar to that of a
cross-linked 1:1 complex of the proteins under the same conditions (4.35
+/- 0.03). No interaction was observed in the absence of substrates or with
UDP-galactose and EDTA. From the ultracentrifuge data and steady state
kinetics, dissociation constants for alpha-lactalbumin from the
enzyme-Mn2+-UDP-galactose-alpha-lactalbumin complex were determined at
several temperatures and salt concentrations. These showed good internal
agreement. The free energy change delta G degrees for the association of
the two proteins is calculated, and the results are discussed in relation
to the nature of the interaction.