The gene encoding phosphoglucose isomerase was cloned from Thermococcus litoralis, and functionally expressed in Escherichia coli. The purified enzyme, a homodimer of 21.5 kDa subunits, was biochemically characterized. The inhibition constants for four competitive inhibitors were determined. The enzyme contained 1.25 mol Fe and 0.24 mol Zn per dimer. The activity was enhanced by the addition of Fe2+, but inhibited by Zn2+ and EDTA. Enzymes with mutations in conserved histidine and glutamate residues in their cupin motifs contained no metals, and showed large decreases in k cat. The circular dichroism spectra of the mutant enzymes and the wild type enzyme were essentially the same but with slight differences.
