Thermal denaturation of erythrocyte carbonic anhydrase.

An experimental study on the thermal behaviour of erythrocyte carbonic anhydrase was carried out with the main aim to estimate the thermodynamic parameters that control the stability of the enzyme. The effects of thermal denaturation on the catalytic properties of the enzyme were also investigated. Below 60 degrees C the enzyme was found to be very stable, whereas between 60 and 65 degrees C a drastic decrease in the biological activity was observed. From the obtained results some considerations were made about the stabilization of the active form of the protein.