Reversible Inhibition of Carboxypeptidase A. III. Inhibition of Specific Esterase Activity by Substituted Benzoate and Related Anions

The reversible inhibition of the hydrolysis of O-hippuryl-L-3-phenyllactic acid by bovine carboxypeptidase A, has been studied for a series of para-substituted benzoate ions (p-XC6H4-CO2−) at pH 7.5, 25°, ionic strength 0.2. For X = H, F, CN, NH2, CH3 competitive inhibition occurs, whereas non-competitive inhibition occurs for X = CF3, NO2, Cl, Br, (CH3)2N, CH3O, (CH3)2CH, (CH3)3C. For X = C2H5 mixed inhibition is observed and this can be separated into individual competitive and noncompetitive components. Uncompetitive inhibition occurs with X = I. The distinction between competitive and noncompetitive inhibition appears to depend on the size of X rather than on its chemical properties. The p-tolylacetate and 3-(p-tolyl)propanoate ions display partially competitive inhibition consistent with the formation of E.I2 species. The inhibition by the 3-(p-iodophenyl)propanoate ion is complex and depends on the binding of at least two inhibitor ions per enzyme molecule.