For a better understanding
on the interaction between polyethyleneimine
(PEI) and proteins, spectroscopic studies including UV–vis
absorption, resonance Rayleigh scattering, fluorescence, and circular
dichroism were conducted to reveal the conformational change of rabbit
muscle lactate dehydrogenase (rmLDH) and related to the bioactivity
of the enzyme. Regardless of the electrostatic repulsion, PEI could
bind on the surface of rmLDH, a basic protein, via hydrogen binding
of the dense amine groups and hydrophobic interaction of methyl groups.
The competitive binding by PEI led to a reduction of the binding efficiency
of rmLDH toward β-nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, the coenzyme,
and sodium pyruvate, the substrate. However, the complex formation
with PEI induced a less ordered conformation and an enhanced surface
hydrophobicity of rmLDH, facilitating the turnover of the enzyme and
generally resulting in an increased activity. PEI of higher molecular
weight was more efficient to induce alteration in the conformation
and catalytic activity of the enzyme.