The major fibrinolytic proteases of human leukocytes
EF Plow - Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA)-General Subjects, 1980 - Elsevier
EF Plow
Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA)-General Subjects, 1980•ElsevierThe major fibrinolytic enzymes present in leukocyte granules and active at physiological pH
have been identified. The fibrinolytic activity in extracts of leukocyte granules was bound to
fibrinogen-Sepharose and eluted with 8.0 M urea. Two distinct zones of fibrinolytic activity
were detected upon electrophoresis of leukocyte extracts on fibrinogen polyacrylamide gels,
and both were qualitatively recovered in the 8.0 M urea eluate. Quantitatively, greater than
95% of the fibrinolytic activity was recovered in the urea eluate. Two major leukocyte …
have been identified. The fibrinolytic activity in extracts of leukocyte granules was bound to
fibrinogen-Sepharose and eluted with 8.0 M urea. Two distinct zones of fibrinolytic activity
were detected upon electrophoresis of leukocyte extracts on fibrinogen polyacrylamide gels,
and both were qualitatively recovered in the 8.0 M urea eluate. Quantitatively, greater than
95% of the fibrinolytic activity was recovered in the urea eluate. Two major leukocyte …
Abstract
The major fibrinolytic enzymes present in leukocyte granules and active at physiological pH have been identified. The fibrinolytic activity in extracts of leukocyte granules was bound to fibrinogen-Sepharose and eluted with 8.0 M urea. Two distinct zones of fibrinolytic activity were detected upon electrophoresis of leukocyte extracts on fibrinogen polyacrylamide gels, and both were qualitatively recovered in the 8.0 M urea eluate. Quantitatively, greater than 95% of the fibrinolytic activity was recovered in the urea eluate. Two major leukocyte proteases, elastase (EC 3.4.21.11) and cathepsin G (EC 3.4.21.-), were quantitatively recovered in the urea eluate. Both enzymes, when purified separately by affinity chromatography, were shown to: (a) possess fibrinolytic activity; (b) coincide in mobility and generate the two zones of fibrinolytic activity on fibrinogen polyacrylamide gels; and (c) quantitatively reconstitute the fibrinolytic activity of the leukocyte granules when combined at activity levels present in granular extracts. A highly significant correlation (r = 0.98) was found between the fibrinolytic activity and the sum of elastase and cathepsin G activity in leukocytes from five donors. Thus, elastase and cathepsin G are the major enzymes of the leukocyte fibrinolytic pathway, and fibrinogen-Sepharose chromatography may be used to obtain these enzymes.
Elsevier