The effects of chlorides on NADP-specific isocitrate dehydrogenase from Halobacterium salinarium were investigated. The enzyme is stabilized by potassium chloride and sodium chloride and this effect is discussed in relation to the Hill (1913) equation. Kinetics of the enzyme were studied within a range of concentrations of potassium chloride and sodium chloride. Apparent Michaelis constants for both substrates were affected by salt concentration, the effect being greater in sodium chloride than in potassium chloride. Minimal apparent Michaelis constants for both substrates were similar to the corresponding constants reported for yeast isocitrate dehydrogenase. Vmax. was maximal in each salt at a concentration of about 1m. The maximum was higher in sodium chloride than in potassium chloride. At salt concentrations above about 2.3m, the apparent Vmax. was lower in sodium chloride than in potassium chloride, and at salt concentrations below 0.75–1.0m, each salt behaved as a linear activator of the enzyme. Within this concentration range salt and NADP+ acted competitively; the activation by salt was overcome at finite concentrations of NADP+. At concentrations above about 1m, potassium chloride was a linear non-competitive inhibitor of the enzyme. Within the range 1.0–2.5m, sodium chloride was also a linear non-competitive inhibitor, but above 2.5m it caused more pronounced inhibition.
