Abstract: A phosphatase that hydrolyses phosphate monoesters has been isolated from wheat thylakoid membranes. Biochemical properties and inhibition kinetics of the phosphatase were investigated using several ions, organic solvents, and inhibitors. Wheat (Triticum aestivum L. cv. PH82-2-2) thylakoid membrane phosphatase activity was activated by Mg2+, Ca2+, and Fe2+ and was inhibited by Mn2+ and Cu2+. For example, enzyme activity was activated 34.81% by 2 mmol/L Mg2+, but was inhibited 22.3% and 8.5% by 2 and 1 mmol/L Cu2+, respectively. Methanol, ethanol and glycol were all able to activate enzyme activity. Enzyme activity was activated 58.5%, 48.2%, and 8.7% by 40% ethanol, methanol and glycol, respectively. From these results, it can be seen that the degree of activation of the phosphatase was greatest for ethanol and the type of activation was uncompetitive. Moreover, the activity of the thylakoid membrane phosphatase was inhibited by molybdate, vanadate, phosphate, and fluoride and the type of inhibition produced by these elements was uncompetitive, non-competitive, competitive and mixed, respectively.(Author for correspondence.Tel: 0538 824 2656 8430; E-mail: xyunwang@sdau.edu.cn)

Key words: activation, inhibition, phosphatase, thylakoid membrane, wheat.