| Abstract
| - To probe the mechanistic origins of convex Eyring plots that have been observed forα-chymotrypsin (α-CT)-catalyzed hydrolysis of specific p-nitroanilide substrates [Case, A., and Stein, R.L. (2003) Biochemistry42, 3335−3348], we determined the temperature-dependence of 15N-kinetic isotopeeffects for the α-CT-catalyzed hydrolysis of N-succinyl-Phe p-nitroanilide (Suc-Phe-pNA). To providean interpretational context for these enzymatic isotope effects, we also determined 15N-KIE for alkalinehydrolysis of p-nitroacetanilide. In 0.002 and 2 N hydroxide (30°C), 15N-KIE values are 1.035 and 0.995(±0.001), respectively, and are consistent with the reported [HO-]-dependent change in rate-limiting stepfrom leaving group departure from an anionic tetrahedral intermediate in dilute base, to hydroxide attackin concentrated base. For the α-CT-catalyzed hydrolysis of Suc-Phe-pNA, 15N-KIE is on kc/Km and thusreflects structural features of transition states for all reaction steps up to and including acylation of theactive site serine. The isotope effect at 35 °C is 1.014 (±0.001) and suggests that in the transition statefor this reaction, departure of leaving group from the tetrahedral intermediate is well advanced. Significantly,15N-KIE does not vary over the temperature range 5−45 °C. This result eliminates one of the competinghypotheses for the convex Eyring plot observed for this reaction, that is, a temperature-dependent changein rate-limiting step within the chemical manifold of acylation, but supports a mechanism in which anisomerization of enzyme conformation is coupled to active site chemistry. We finally suggest that thenear absolute temperature-independence of 15N-KIE may point to a unique transition state for this process.
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