Comparison of Susceptibility of Oxytocin and Desamino-Oxytocin to Inactivation by Leucine Aminopeptidase and -Chymotrypsin.

Abstract

Summary The susceptibility of oxytocin and desamino-oxytocin to attack by hog kidney leucine aminopeptidase and α-chymotrypsin has been investigated by measurement of their avian depressor activity before and after incubation with the enzymes. On this basis desamino-oxytocin appeared to be resistant to the action of leucine aminopeptidase whereas 50% of the activity of oxytocin was lost after treatment with the enzyme. On the other hand, desamino-oxytocin was found to be completely inactivated by α-chymotrypsin under conditions in which some of the activity of oxytocin still remained.