Cysteine synthase from Escherichia coli is a bienzyme complex comprised of serine acetyltransferase (SAT) and O-acetylserine sulfhydrylase A. The site of interaction of a SAT molecule was investigated by gel chromatography and surface plasmon technique using various mutant-type SATs, to better understand the mechanism involved in complex formation. The C-terminus of SAT, Ile 273, along with Glu 268 and Asp 271, was found to be essential for complex formation. The effects of O-acetyl-L-serine and sulfide on the affinity for the complex formation were also studied using a surface plasmon technique. (c) 2006 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.