"Collagenase" Activity of Cathepsins.

Abstract

Papain and ficin digest collagen at pH 2.0 - 4.5 at low salt concentration. Collagen undergoes a reversible alteration at low pH which renders it susceptible to digestion by a number of proteolytic enzymes active at acid pH''s. A mechanism for enzymatic breakdown of collagen in areas of suppuration is suggested. No evidence was obtained to support preliminary alteration in collagen as part of the mechanism by which Clostridium histolyticum collagenase preparations degrade collagen.