THE TRYPSIN CATALYZED HYDROLYSIS OFp-NITROPHENYL ACETATE

Abstract

The hydrolysis of p-nitrophenyl acetate (NPA) by trypsin has been investigated in the early stage of the reaction using stopped-flow techniques. The influence of pH on the initial rate suggests competitive inhibition of the active site of the enzyme by hydrogen ions. The dissociation constant of the enzyme obtained from the kinetics of this reaction (pK = 6.9) indicates possible catalysis by an ammo group or an imidazole group of the enzyme. Lysine methyl ester as an analogue of the enzyme catalyzes the hydrolysis of NPA under similar experimental conditions. The results are described in terms of an assumed mechanism and the nature of the catalytic site is discussed.