Abstract
IF a suitable amount of monoethyl-hydrogen peroxide is added to an active preparation of liver catalase at pH 7, the enzyme spectrum disappears instantly, and two new absorption bands in the green range of the spectrum appear. In the course of a few minutes, at room temperature, the new absorption bands decrease in intensity, and simultaneously the original enzyme spectrum reappears. When the change is complete, the cycle may be repeated by the addition of fresh substrate. The time required for the reaction cycle at 4° is four times that required at 24°. The reappearance of the enzyme spectrum is accompanied by the disappearance of the titratable peroxide oxygen from the system. No gas is evolved in this reaction. Acetaldehyde and ethyl alcohol are among the most probable reaction products.
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STERN, K. Spectroscopy of an Enzyme Reaction. Nature 136, 335 (1935). https://doi.org/10.1038/136335a0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/136335a0
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