?-Chymotrypsin: A Study of the Promotion of the Deacylation Reaction

Abstract

The effect of indole on the rate of deacylation of acetyl. chymotrypsin has been investigated in detail. In particular, the effects of indole concentration and pH on the magnitude of the increase in the deacylation rate constant have been determined. The deacylation of other acyl·chymotrypsins (formyl., propionyl., and N .formylglycyl.) in the presence of indole has been studied, and benzene, acetamide, and N·acetyltryptamine have been tested as modifiers of the deacylation of formylchymotrypsin. The largest rate enhancement observed was about threefold. Several possible mechanisms for the promotion of the deacylation of acyl·chymotrypsins by hydrophobic compounds are discussed in the light of the results obtained.