Implication of protein aromatic amino acids in concanavalin A-carbohydrate interactions. A radiolytic study.

Abstract

Pulse radiolysis and 60Co gamma-radiolysis have been used to study the effects of ionizing radiation on the glycogen-precipitating activity of the protein concanavalin A. Both eaq- and OH. react extremely rapidly with the protein and contribute to the observed loss of concanavalin A activity. Evidence is also presented that (Br)2-. and (SCN)2-. react with with tyrosine and tryptophan residues in concanavalin A, which is also accompanied by loss of glycogen precipitation activity.