Assay of trypsin-like protease in rat submandibular saliva and gland.

Trypsin-like protease activity was high in the submandibular gland, low in the pancreas, and absent in the liver, kidney and brain of adult rats. The alpha-sympathomimetic agent, norepinephrine, induced a marked secretion of the enzyme into submandibular saliva and the remaining protease activity within the gland decreased to about 64 per cent of control levels. Six peaks of protease activity, found by isoelectric focusing in intact submandibular glands, were also detected in the saliva of norepinephrine-stimulated rats. Isoprenaline also increased the protease activity in saliva, but far less so than norepinephrine. The parasympathomimetic agent, pilocarpine, had little effect on the secretion of the enzyme into saliva.