Essential amino acids involving in the active site ofthe cytidn~e deruninase from Bncillus subtilis ED 213 were determined by chemical modification studies. Tllc purified cytidine deruninase tiom Booillus subtilis ED 213 required the reduced form of Fe(lI)ion. since the enzyme was inhibited 43% by 1 mnM o-phenanthroline. Whereas the enzyme activity was activated up to 28% by 1 1 ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid. The cytidine deaninase activily was completely inhibited by 1 mM N-bromosuccinimide, chloramine-T, and p-chloromercuribenzoic acid (p-CMB), respectively. The enzyme activity was inhibited 36% by 1 mM pyridoxal-S-phosphale, and 31% by 1 mM l-ethy~-3-(3-dirneIhj~laminoprop}~~)c~bodiiamide and glycine inethyl ester. The enzyme activity was strongly inhibited 68% by 1 mu$M ho$-CMB and this inhibition of the enzyme activity with 1 mu$M ho$-CMB was completely reactivated by 5 mM cysleine as a reducing agent. We speculaled that tyrosine, methionine, cysteuie and/or serine residues are located ui or near ihe active site of the cytidine deruniuase from Bncilus subrilis ED 213 and indirectly related to lysine and/or glycine.