Microgels as supports for α-chymotrypsin

Abstract

α-Chymotrypsin is conjugated to carboxy-bearing microgels with a water-soluble carbodi-imide. The Michaelis–Menten parameters of the conjugated enzyme versus N-benzoyl-L-tyrosine ethyl ester are almost identical with those for the native enzyme except at low pH where coagulation of the microgel occurs. The enzyme covers ca. 9% of the ‘wet’ microgel surface. Control experiments with carboxymethyl-Sephadex as an insoluble analogue of the microgel indicate that the enzyme is deeply bound in the Sephadex particle consistent with altered Michaelis–Menten parameters of this conjugate.