Abstract:
Hydroxynitrile Lyase (HNL, EC 4.1.2.37) was partially purified from
parenchyma tissue of cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz.) tubers and its
characteristics were observed. Partially purified HNL has a Km for acetone
cyanohydrin of 14.04 mM. The optimum pH of the enzyme activity was 5.5 but the
enzyme was most stable at pH 6.0. The optimum temperature was 40°C. Partially
purified HNL completely lost its activity in the presence of 2 mM phenylmethane
sulfonyl fluoride. The result supported the idea that serine is an important residue for
catalysis of this enzyme. The enzyme was also inhibited by 2-mercaptoethanol
iodoacetic acid and N-ethylmaleimide, suggesting the possible presence of cysteine at
the active site. Addition of or dialysis against EGTA and EDTA of partially purified
HNL caused an activation of the enzyme activity. The enzyme activity was inhibited
in the presence of a metal ion, respectively, calcium, cobalt, magnesium, copper or
zinc. Acetone, alcohols (butanol, 2-methyl-2-butanol, isobutanol, octanol) and
aldehydes (acetaldehyde, butyraldehyde, benzaldehyde, 2-methylbenzaldehyde) were
found to inhibit HNL ac