[Interactions between various transition elements in their effect on pepsin activity].

Kinetic experiments were made with pepsin in the presence of Cu2+ ions and additional Fe2+, Ni2+ or Zn3+ ions as sulphates. As a parameter of the pepsin activity the turnover-rate curves were determined with haemoglobin as a substrate. An important activation of the pepsin was obtained by Cu2+ additions of 5-10(-4) mole/1. When Cu2+ and Fe2+ ions were added to the reaction mixture at the same time, an additive effect of both metal cations was observed. A competitive effect of both metal cations was found in the combination of Cu2+/Ni2+ ions. Zn2+ addition did not influence the activation of pepsin caused by Cu2+ ions.