Collagenase: localization in polymorphonuclear leukocyte granules in the rabbit.

Polymorphonuclear leukocyte granules were submitted to zonal fractionation through a discontinuous sucrose gradient. Azurophilic and specific granules were enzymatically characterized by peroxidase and alkaline phosphatase activity, respectively. The enzymes formed modal distributions like those reported by others. Collagenase activity was consistently associated with the specific granules containing alkaline phosphatase.