Feedback Regulation of 3-Deoxy- d - arabino -Heptulosonate 7-Phosphate Synthetase from a Marine Bacterium, Vibrio MB22

Abstract

A marine bacterium, Vibrio MB22, has been studied to determine the pattern of feedback regulation of the first enzyme unique to the biosynthesis of the aromatic amino acids, 3-deoxy- d - arabino -heptulosonate 7-phosphate (DAHP) synthetase. The crude extract was used to study response of the enzyme to various salts as well as possible feedback inhibitors. Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid was found to be inhibitory to enzyme activity, and only CoCl 2 , of the salts tested, allowed full recovery as well as apparent stimulation of the DAHP synthetase activity. The DAHP synthetase activity was inhibited solely by the aromatic amino acids, tyrosine, tryptophan, and phenylalanine, of the possible effectors tested. Further work demonstrated the existence of three isozymes of DAHP synthetase, each primarily inhibited by one of the aromatic amino acids.