Elastolysis of kappa-elastin sub-fractions by pancreatic and leukocyte elastases

Biochem Int. 1990;21(1):145-53.

Abstract

Kappa-elastin peptides, obtained from insoluble elastin by organo-alkaline hydrolysis, were fractioned by gel filtration on Biogel agarose. Rates of hydrolysis by pancreatic and leukocyte elastases of the fractions were measured using a conductometric method. Kinetics obey to Michaelis-Menten model for both substrates and enzymes. KM and Vmax values derived from Lineweaver-Burk plots indicate that, if KM remains quite constant, differences were observed in catalytic rates. The kcat values decreased with molecular-weight, the high-molecular-weight kappa-elastin peptides being hydrolyzed 3 to 5 times faster than the low-molecular-weight ones. Apparent differences between potentiometric (pH-Stat) and conductometric results were discussed, in relation with buffer capacity of soluble and insoluble elastins.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Conductometry
  • Elastin / isolation & purification
  • Elastin / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Hydrolysis
  • Kinetics
  • Leukocytes / enzymology*
  • Molecular Weight
  • Pancreas / enzymology*
  • Peptide Fragments / isolation & purification
  • Peptide Fragments / metabolism*
  • Swine

Substances

  • Peptide Fragments
  • Elastin