Action of degradative enzymes on the light fraction of bovine septa protein polysaccharide

Abstract

Fragments from enzymic degradation of protein-polysaccharide light fraction (PPL) were analysed. The time-course of action of some proteolytic enzymes and of hyaluronidase on PPL has been followed by viscometric techniques. It is suggested that papain acts to produce single polysaccharide chains, whereas other proteolytic enzymes tried give evidence of twin-chain residues. The molecular weight of the fragments derived from complete enzyme action on PPL supports this postulate. A structure of the PPL complex is suggested.