Recombinant GST–GLUL protein is enzymatically active. A: Recombinant GST–GLUL protein was incubated without Mn2+ or with 0.5 mM Mn2+ for 1 hr at room temperature. Next, GLUL activity was detected by a spectrometry assay described in Materials and Methods. Values are the mean ±SE from six independent analyses. The asterisk indicates a significant difference between the two groups, P <0.01. B: Recombinant GST–GLUL protein was incubated in the presence of 0.5 mM manganese and different concentrations of NiSO4 (0, 50, 100, 200, 400, and 800 μM) for 1 hr at room temperature. Next, GLUL activity was measured using the spectrometry assay. Values are the mean ± SE from 6 independent assays. [Color figure can be viewed in the online issue, which is available at wileyonlinelibrary.com]