The linkage of glutamic acid in protein molecules

Abstract

Casein, edestin, ovalbumin, serum albumin, hemoglobin and the capsular substance of Bacillus anthracis were partially digested with trypsin, and the resulting peptide mixture was tested for the presence of gamma -glutamyl peptides by oxidizing it with Na hypobromite, Succinic acid was removed by ether extraction and the succinyl peptides, insoluble in ether, were hydrolyzed by HC1. The amts. of succinic acid obtained by this procedure indicate the presence of a small number of gamma-glutamyl bonds in the proteins examined, and of a much higher number of such bonds in the capsular substance of B. anthracis.