Inhibition of phosphofructokinases by copper(II)

The biochemical inhibition by Cu2+ on eight phylogenetically and biochemica lly different phosphofructokinases (PFKs) was investigated. The enzymes scr eened included representatives from thermophilic and mesophilic bacteria, a hyperthermophilic archaeon and a eukaryote. covering all three phosphoryl donor subtypes (ATP, ADP and pyrophosphate). The sensitivities of the enzym es to Cut varied greatly. with the archaeal ADP-PFK being the least and the eukaryote ATP-PFK being the most sensitive. The bacterial ATP- and pyropho sphate-dependent PFKs showed intermediate sensitivity with the exception of the Spirochaeta thermophila enzyme (pyrophosphate-dependent) which was rel atively resistant. (C) 2001 Federation of European Microbiological Societie s. Published by Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.