Photoactivation of Nitrile Hydratase in Corynebacterium sp. N-774

Abstract

Irradiation of cells or extracts of Corynebacterium sp. N-774 with light increased nitrile hydratase activity. The effective wavelength was about 370 nm, i.e., the near-ultraviolet region. When stored at 0 °C in the dark, the enzyme activity of cells gradually decreased, and most of the lost activity could be restored by irradiation with light.