Evidence for the presence of an essential arginine residue in photoreactivating enzyme from Streptomyces griseus.

Butane-2,3-dione inhibits the enzymic activity of Streptomyces griseus photoreactivating enzyme (PRE). Some characteristics of the inhibition, notably the enhancement by borate buffer and the reversibility, indicate that arginine residues are modified. From the kinetics of inhibition it can be concluded that a single essential arginine residue is involved. U.v.-irradiated DNA, the substrate for PRE, protects the enzyme against inactivation by butane-2,3-dione. This suggests that the essential arginine residue is situated in or near the u.v.-irradiated-DNA-binding site. Non-irradiated DNA at higher concentrations also protects against inactivation, indicating that PRE can form non-specific complexes. From the ratio of complex constants obtained from protection experiments with non-irradiated and u.v.-irradiated DNA it appears that PRE preferably binds to dimer sites.