Rapid-Quench and Isotope-Trapping Studies on Fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase

Rapid-quench kinetic measurements yielded presteady-state rate data for rabbit liver fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase (FBPase) (a tetramer of four identical subunits) that are triphasic: the rapid release of P (complete within 5 ms), followed by a second reaction phase liberating additional Pi that completes the initial turnover of two or four subunits of the enzyme (requiring 100-150 ms), and a steady-state rate whose magnitude depends on the [α-Fru-1,6-P2]/[FBPase] ratio. With Mg2+ in the presence of excess -fructose 1,6-bisphosphate (a-Fru-l,6-P2) all four subunits turn over in the pre steady state; with Mn2+ only two of the four are active. Thus the expression of half-site reactivity is a consequence of the nature of the metal ion and not a subunit asymmetry. In the presence of limiting a-anomer concentrations only two of the four subunits now remain active with Mg2+ as well as with Mn2+ in the pre steady state. However, so that the amount of Pi released can be accounted for, a β → α anomerization or direct β utilization is required at the active site of one subunit. Such behavior is consistent with the two-state conformational hysteresis displayed by the enzyme and altered affinities manifested within these states for α and β substrate analogues. Under these limiting conditions the subsequent steady-state rate is limited by the β→α solution anomerization. These data in combination with pulse-chase experiments permit evaluation of the internal equilibrium, which in the case of Mg2+ is unequivocally higher in favor of product complexes and represents a departure from balanced internal substrate-product complexes.