Bovine gingival collagenase: Demonstration and initial characterization

Abstract

A collagenase active against native collagen was found in culture fluids of bovine gingiva. The enzyme first appeared in the culture fluid after 1–2 days and could be harvested thereafter for at least 30 days. The collagenase attacked collagen fibrils and cleaved collagen in solution, resulting in reaction products 1/4 and 3/4 of the length of the original molecule. The enzyme was inhibited by serum, by EDTA and by cysteine. The molecular weight was estimated by gel filtration to be 63,000 daltons.