JBC, Vol. 250, Issue 19, 7579-7585, Oct, 1975
Modification of bovine alpha-lactalbumin with N-bromosuccinimide and 2-hydroxy-5-nitrobenzylbromide
J. E. Bell, F. J. Castellino, I. P. Trayer and R. L. Hill
Reaction of alpha-lactalbumin at pH 7 in aqueous solution with either
2-hydroxy-5-nitrobenzylbromide or N-bromosuccinimide yields derivatives in
which only 2 of the 4 tryptophan residues are modified. All 4 residues of
tryptophan are modified under the similar conditions in 8 M urea.
Structural analysis of the modified derivatives revealed that tryptophans
26 and 118 are the sole reactive residues and that tryptophan 118 reacts
more rapidly than tryptophan 26. The fluorescence of alpha-lactalbumin
modified to varying extents with N-bromosuccinimide indicates that
tryptophan 118 is exposed to solvent whereas tryptophan 26 is in a more
hydrophobic environment. The chemical reactivities and fluorescence
properties of tryptophans 26 and 118 are consistent with the proposed
conformations of alpha-lactalbumin based on its similarity with egg white
lysozyme. The kinetic properties of both derivatives of alpha-lactalbumin
containing up to 2 modified residues indicate that each derivative has
decreased affinity for the galactosyltransferase but that at saturating
concentrations, Km and Vmax for lactose synthesis are unchanged from those
of native alpha-lactalbumin.