HISTOCHEMISTRY OF MYELIN. III. PERIPHERAL NERVE CATHEPSIN

Abstract

Some of the properties of peripheral nerve cathepsin were investigated by histochemical and biochemical means. This cathepsin appears to be a constituent of the myelin sheath but its presence in the axon as well cannot be excluded. The enzyme is thermostable, sulphydryl-dependant and resistant to chloroform, methanol and acetone. It is mainly associated with the lipid and proteoplipid fractions of the nerve and this distribution supports the view that the enzyme is a constituent of the myclin sheath itself.