Monovalent Metal Ions Play an Essential Role in Catalysis and Intersubunit Communication in the Tryptophan Synthase Bienzyme Complex

This investigation shows that the alpha 2 beta 2 tryptophan synthase bienzyme complex from Salmonella typhimurium is subject to monovalent metal ion activation. The effects of the monovalent metal ions Na+ and K+ were investigated using rapid scanning stopped-flow (RSSF), single-wavelength stopped-flow (SWSF), and steady-state techniques. RSSF measurements of individual steps in the reaction of L-serine and indole to give L-trytophan (the...