A uronic acid isomerase in Flavobacterium heparinum

Abstract

The isolation and characterization of a uronic acid isomerase from F. heparinum is described. The enzyme converts glucuronic acid and galacturonic acid to fructuronic acid and tagaturonic acid. The equilibrium point of the reaction is affected by buffers. In the presence of borate, 75% of glucuronic acid is converted to fructuronic acid. In the presence of phosphate, the equilibrium is reached when 31% of glucuronic acid is converted to fructuronic acid. Conversely, fructuronic acid and tagaturonic acid are converted to glucuronic acid and galacturonic acid, respectively. Monosaccharides derived from heparin and chondroitin sulfates do not affect the activity of the isomerase, in contrast to the monosaccharides from hyaluronic acid which have marked inhibitory (or diluting) activity upon the enzyme. The role of this enzyme in the metabolism of mucopolysaccharides is discussed.