The active site of L-asparaginase: dimethylsulfoxide effect of 5-diazo-4-oxo-L-norvaline interactions.

The asparagine analog, 5-diazo-4-oxo-L-norvaline is a substrate and an irreversible inhibitor of L-asparaginase. Covalent attachment occurs at an increased rate at concentrations of dimethylsulfoxide which reduce the catalytic decomposition of diazo-oxo-norvaline. In 55% dimethylsulfoxide asparaginase is inactivated by diazo-oxo-norvaline (0.05 M) with a t 1/2 of twelve seconds. In aqueous buffer the rate of diazo-oxo-norvaline decomposition is increased three-fold in the presence of the nucleophile hydroxylamine; this nucleophile also protects the enzyme against inactivation by diazo-oxo-norvaline in the presence of dimethylsulfoxide.