DIFFERENCE IN IMMUNOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF 2 STREPTOKINASES

Abstract

The immunological properties of streptokinase produced by Streptococcus haemolyticus. Group A, Type 29, strain Coggins (SK-A-29) and commercially available streptokinase Kabikinase of Group C origin (SK-C-K) have been studied using rabbit antisera prepare? to both enzymes (ASK-A-29, ASK-C-K). Both antisera were neutralized by both SK-ases. ASK-A-29 was neutralized at the same ratio by both enzymes, whereas 4 to 5-fold difference in neutralizing capacity of ASK-C-K was found between SK-C-K and SK-A-29. This difference was confirmed by quantitative precipitin tests. The electro-phoretic mobility in agar was found to be almost identical for both enzymes. A reaction of partial identity developed between SK-C-K and SK-A-29 in Ouchterlony plates when antiserum ASK-C-K was applied. Antiserum ASK-C-K absorbed by SK-A-29 developed a precipitin line against SK-C-K. Sephadex Gel filtration failed to indicate a significant difference between molecular weights of the 2 enzymes. It is suggested that SK-A-29 lacks some determinant group present in SK-C-K and differs from 2 known variants of SK-ases of Group A origin.