[The attack of different proteases on isolated zonular fibers (author's transl)].

Some proteases, i.e. trypsin, alpha-chymotrypsin, thermolysin, proteinase K, alpha-amylase, collagenase, and papain were investigated on their effect on isolated zonular fibers. All these enzymes but collagenase were zonulolytic active. An attack on the ground substance of the fibers by substances solving glycosaminoglycans and proteoglycans (hyaluronidase, EDTA, guanidinium chloride, H2O2) showed an increased effect of the enzymes used. These results suggest that the interfibrillar matrix has a protective function on the zonular fibers.