Allostery of 3-deoxy-D-arabino-heptulosonate 7-phosphate synthetase in Clostridium: another conserved generic characteristic.

Enzymological studies were done to characterize the allosteric control of 3-deoxy-d-arabino-heptulosonate 7-phosphate (DAHP) synthetase in three species of Clostridium. Allosteric control was identified as feedback inhibition by phenylalanine and was qualitatively similar for the DAHP synthetases of C. butyricum, C. acetobutylicum, and C. tetanomorphum. Quantitative differences in the enzymology and kinetics of allosteric control distinguished C. tetanomorphum from C. butyricum and C. acetobutylicum. Crude extracts contained apparent proteolytic activity which could be fractionated from DAHP synthetase. The proteolytic activity was more labile than DAHP synthetase in extracts and was progressively inactivated by serial freeze-thaw treatments. Protease activity was at least partially inhibited by phenylmethylsulfonyl-fluoride. The method of comparative allostery of DAHP synthetase distinguishes the genera Bacillus and Clostridium, each having a strongly conserved pattern of regulation for DAHP synthetase. The data reinforce previous conclusions that allosteric control patterns governing the activity of DAHP synthetase are stable, reliable generic characteristics.