Existence of prokallikrein in the kidney. Its biochemical properties compared to three active glandular kallikreins from the kidney, serum, and urine of the rat.

Prokallikrein in the kidney was partially purified with immunoaffinity and DEAE Sephadex A-50 column chromatographies, and its biochemical properties were studied in comparison to three active glandular kallikreins purified from kidney, serum, and urine of the rat. The properties of the enzyme obtained by trypsin activation of prokallikrein were identical with those of active glandular kallikreins from the kidney, serum, and urine of the rat. Apparent molecular weights of prokallikrein, trypsin-activated kallikrein, active renal kallikrein, and glandular kallikrein in rat serum were 38,000 and of active urinary kallikrein, 37,000. Prokallikrein fraction was activated only by trypsin, but not by acidification, pepsin, and rat urinary esterase A treatments. Renal kallikrein, purified in the presence of soybean trypsin inhibitor (SBTI), contained 85% prokallikrein, but the enzymic fraction, purified in the absence of SBTI, contained 23% prokallikrein. Prokallikrein contents of urinary kallikrein and glandular kallikrein in rat serum were 16% and 20% respectively. These results suggest that prokallikrein is produced in the kidney and activated easily by a trypsin-like enzyme. Since rat serum contains active glandular kallikrein, kallikrein in the kidney may be secreted not only into the urine, but also into the blood.