Structure and function of carboxypeptidase A alpha in supercooled water.

The spectral and enzymatic characteristics of chromophoric derivatives of carboxypeptidase A alpha (EC 3.4.17.1) have been examined at subzero temperatures in supercooled water-in-oil emulsions. Substrate and temperature dependencies of enzyme kinetics indicated the existence of a solution-like enzyme phase that greatly extends the temperature range (greater than 60 degrees C) over which the activity of this enzyme can be measured. The emulsion spectra were virtually identical to those of solutions over a wide range of temperatures. Subzero temperatures (less than -10 degrees C) may induce changes of enzyme conformation but not of geometry at the site of the metal atom, nor do they adversely affect activity at any of the temperatures studied. Both structure and function of carboxypeptidase A alpha can be examined in supercooled water under identical reaction conditions.