Evolution of stochastic chemical rate theory from the dynamics of molecular reactant and product nuclear modes coupled to a continuous manifold of heat bath oscillators

Inhomogeneous broadening and kinetic carbon monoxide isotope effects in low-temperature carbon monoxide recombination with myoglobin and hemoglobin

We have analyzed the non-exponential kinetics, the temperature variation, and the CO isotope effects of the CO recombination reactions with myoglobin and single-chain hemoglobin. The analysis rests on multiphonon quantum-mechanical chemical-rate theory combined with static inhomogeneous broadening of either the reorganization free energy or the reaction Gibbs free energy. The simplest specific model which can account for all the data contains an inhomogeneous distribution function of width 0.2-0.3 eV, independent of temperature down to the tunnel transition at about 20 K, two discrete nuclear coordinates of low vibrational frequency (60-150 cm-1) representing iron-heme and CO bending motion, the CO stretching motion of frequency about 2000 cm-1, and additional inhomogeneous broadening of the protein and CO bending configuration below the tunnel transition temperature. The model appears somewhat involved but in return provides corresponding insight in the dynamics of this important class of processes.

Conformational dynamics and solvent viscosity effects in carboxypeptidase-A-catalyzed benzoylglycylphenyllactate hydrolysis

We have used a new approach to the dynamics of hydrolytic metalloenzyme catalysis based on investigations of both external solvent viscosity effects and kinetic 2H isotope effects. The former reflects solvent and protein dynamics, and the nuclear reorganization distribution among damped protein motion and intramolecular friction-free nuclear motion. The isotope effect represents proton tunnelling and reorganization in the hydrogen bond network around the active site. We illustrate the approach by new spectrophotometric and pH-titration data for carboxypeptidase-A-catalyzed benzoylglycyl-L-phenyllactate hydrolysis. This substrate exhibits both a significant inverse fractional power law viscosity dependence over wide ranges controlled by glycerol and sucrose, and a kinetic 2H isotope effect of 1.65. The analogous benzoylglycylphenylalanine hydrolysis has a smaller isotope effect (1.3) and no viscosity dependence. Viscosity variation has no effect on the CD spectra in the 180-240-nm range. In terms of stochastic chemical rate theory, the data correspond to an enzyme-peptide substrate complex with a 'tight' structure protected from the solvent. In comparison, the enzyme-ester substrate complex is 'softer', strongly coupled to the solvent, and the rate-determining step is accompanied by proton transfer or by substantial reorganization in the hydrogen bonds near the active site.

Substrate specificity of solvent viscosity effects in carboxypeptidase A catalyzed peptide hydrolysis

We have investigated the viscosity of carboxypeptidase A catalyzed Bz-Gly-Phe hydrolysis at pH 7.5 (Tris) and 0.5 mol.l-1 NaCl over the range 10-100 mp, varied by addition of glycerol or sucrose. In contrast to previous reports of strong viscosity effects on the corresponding Cbz-Ala-Ala-Ala hydrolysis, both the catalytic constant and the Michaelis constant are virtually independent of viscosity over the 10-fold range investigated. Furthermore, the CD spectra of carboxypeptidase A in the high-viscosity media point to no change in the alpha-helix and beta-sheet structure in these media. The data are compatible either with a compacter, more rigid enzyme-substrate structure or with a more prominent role of intramolecular nuclear reorganization compared to protein reorganization for Bz-Gly-Phe than for Cbz-Ala-Ala-Ala. These views can be given a preciser frame in terms of stochastic chemical rate theory.