The role of a tyrosyl residue in the mechanism of action of carboxypeptidase B: luminescence studies.

The luminescence spectra of carboxypeptidase B indicate specific differences between the zinc and apoenzyme due to the state of tyrosyl residues presumably at the active site. These differences disappear when enzyme-substrate or enzyme-inhibitor complexes are formed, suggesting that they may reflect the interaction of a tyrosyl residue in the native enzyme with the catalytically essential zinc atom. An interpretation of the role of that tyrosyl residue in the mechanism of action of carboxypeptidase B is presented.