Detection of caseinolytic and fibrinolytic activities of BHK-21 cell strains

Abstract

A method employing casein and casein-fibrin clot overlays was used to detect extracellular caseinolytic and fibrinolytic activity of cloned populations of BHK-21/N cells. Extracellular caseinolytic activity was detected in a large proportion of the cells of most sublines. Plasminogen activator activity was found in the majority of all cloned cells tested and in supernatant fluids from growing cells. Two sublines, however, had decreased caseinolytic activity as compared to other clonal isolates. BHK-21/C13 cells were also tested for caseinolytic and fibrinolytic activity. Only a small proportion of the cell population produced plasminogen activator. Plasminogen activator activity was not detected in supernatant fluids from growing cells and the hydrolysis of casein did not occur in casein overlays.