Mammalian collagenase: Direct demonstration in homogenates of involuting rat uterus

Abstract

Summary Homogenates of involuting rat uterus contain an enzyme capable of digesting native collagen fibers at pH 7.5 and 37°. Collagenase activity and the uterine collagen are both found in the pellet when the homogenates are centrifuged at 6,000 g . Incubation of this pellet at 37° in the presence of calcium leads to the release of soluble degradation products of collagen. It is suggested that the collagenase is firmly bound to its substrate collagen fibers, since it cannot be readily extracted from the pellet.