The α-amylase of the beetle Callosobruchus chinensis properties

Abstract
C. chinensis larval amylase is activated by Ca2+ and inhibited by Cl− and EDTA (Ki 6.7×10−3m). GSH and 2-mercaptoethanol activate, presumably at different sites, as 2-mercaptoethanol interferes with Ca2+ activation, whereas GSH enhances it. The inhibition by iodoacetic acid and N-ethylmaleimide (Ki 1.55×10−2m) suggest that free thiol groups are essential for activity. The pH optimum of 5.2–5.4 is moved to 5.6–5.8 by Ca2+ and 2-mercaptoethanol. The activation energy is 7270 cal/mol, and is not affected by Ca2+ and 2-mercaptoethanol. Km for soluble starch is 2.3mg/ml.