Parameters influencing inactivation-dissociation/reactivation-association phenomena induced by variations of ionic strength of L (+)lactate: cytochrome c oxidoreductase (cytochrome b2) extract of the yeast Hansenula anomala

H-flavocytochrome b2, a tetramer enzyme, is inactivated, at low ionic strength and can be reactivated, increasing the ionic strength of the medium. The inactivation-reactivation process was structurally manifested by a dissociation-association phenomenon between subunits. It was clearly shown that the inactivation-dissociation process appeared independent of enzyme concentration whereas the reactivation-association phenomenon was enzyme concentration dependent. However, proteins protect H-flavocytochrome b2 from inactivation-dissociation, only when electrostatic interactions are possible between the two proteins: Horse heart cytochrome c was a good protector whereas serum albumin had no protector effect.