Multiple molecular forms of avian aldolases. I. Crystallization and physical properties of chicken (Gallus domesticus) breast muscle aldolase

Abstract

Aldolase (fructose 1,6-diphosphate-D-glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate lyase, EC 4.1.2.13) was purified and crystallized from chicken (Gallus domesticus) breast muscle.The crystalline enzyme is homogeneous according to the following criteria: purification to a constant specific activity, electrophoresis on cellulose acetate strips, absence of five other glycolytic enzyme activities, and immunodiffusion in agar.The sedimentation coefficient, diffusion constant, and molecular weight of the chicken enzyme are the same as for rabbit muscle aldolase. The ultraviolet spectra of the two proteins are the same. Electrophoretic comparison between the rabbit and chicken enzymes revealed a slightly different rate of migration.Antibodies directed against the pure chicken enzyme were prepared, and the reaction with pure chicken and rabbit aldolase was followed using the precipitin and double diffusion tests. A very pronounced reaction was observed between anti-serum and the chicken enzyme; the rabbit enzyme, in contrast, did not cross-react with the anti-serum.