On the formation of a ternary complex between lipase, colipase and micelles of amphipathic compounds.

Pancreatic lipase, colipase and 1-glyceryl octyl ether or lysolecithin micelles were shown to form a ternary complex probably resulting from the fixation of the enzyme to the binary colipase-micelle association already well documented in the case of bile salt micelles. Kinetic assays show that the colipase favours the lipase activity on tributyrin emulsions in presence of 1-glyceryl octyl ether. The UV spectrum of a derivative of lipase in which two 2-hydroxy 5-nitrobenzyl groups are attached to tryptophan, is distinctly modified by addition of 1-glyceryl octyl ether micelles in the presence of colipase.