Relationship between two kinds of hatching enzymes in the hatching liquid of the medaka, Oryzias latipes.

The relationship between the hatching enzymes I and II of the medaka, Oryzias latipes, was studied by examining their behavior on gel filtration column chromatography and their responsiveness to added reagents including certain inhibitors. Enzyme I, of higher molecular weight, could be converted to the lower molecular weight enzyme II during purification. The results support the conclusion that enzyme I is a complex form of enzyme II combined with another substance.