The cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase inhibitory protein of Dictyostelium discoideum. Purification and characterization.

We have purified the glycoprotein inhibitor of the extracellular cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase of Dictyostelium discoideum to apparent homogeneity. The inhibitor has a molecular weight of 47,000 measured by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The interaction of the inhibitor and the cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase occurs with 1:1 stoichiometry and with a dissociation constant of about 10(-10) M. Periodate oxidation of the inhibitor or of the enzyme destroys concanavalin A binding ability but does not affect the formation of the enzyme-inhibitor complex. Inhibitor is not produced by cells during logarithmic growth but appears in quantity during stationary phase and after transfer from growth medium to phosphate buffer.