Activation of bronchial mucin proteolysis by 4-aminophenylmercuric acetate and disulphide bond reducing agents.

High molecular weight bronchial glycoproteins, as nearly native as possible, were treated with either 2-mercaptoethanol or 4-aminophenylmercuric acetate (APMA): analytical electrophoresis revealed that a decrease in molecular weight of glycoproteins coincided with the disappearance of some proteins associated with high molecular weight bronchial glycoproteins. These modifications were not observed if high molecular weight bronchial glycoproteins were incubated with paramethylsulphonyl fluoride and EDTA, two synthetic protease-inhibitors, prior to 2-mercaptoethanol or APMA action. These data suggest that protease-antiprotease complexes are associated with bronchial mucins and that reducing agents or APMA activate proteases.