Characterization of Serum Amylase Activity in Normal and Pancreatectomized Dogs

Abstract

Summary Three amylolytic fractions with different mobilities were distinguished in normal dog serum by paper electrophoresis and 2 distinct peaks of activity were demonstrated by Sephadex chroma tography. The amylase activity located in the beta-globulin position yielded optimum pH and Km values for starch-hydrolysis different from those in the gamma-globulin zone. The optimum pH of the beta-globulin zone material also differed from that of material obtained from the albumin zone. These dissimilarities suggest, but do not conclusively prove, that at least the amylolytic activities residing in the beta-and gamma-globulin areas stem from molecu-larly different amylases. Based on reductions in activity following pancreatectomy, it would appear that the saccharogenic and amylolytic activity in the gamma-globulin electrophore-tic zone of dog serum arises in part from the pancreas.