[Chromatographic method of determining the activity of the collagenase-like enzyme of the adenohypophysis and several findings concerning the specificity of its action].

A chromatographic method is developed for quantitative estimation of the collagenase-like enzyme (CLE) activity in extract of adenohypophysis and in preparations obtained during various steps of the enzyme isolation. The enzymatic hydrolysis of Cbz-Gly-Pro-Ala-Gly-Pro-Gly-OCH3 in presence of 2-mercaptoethanol at pH 8.0 was used as a pattern. The products formed were separated by chromatography on the paper; then they were stained with ninhydrin and converted into cupric complexes during extraction with ethanol; the optic density was measured at 510 nm. The optimal conditions for the enzymatic reaction were established. The method enabled to estimate the CLE activity in presence of prolyl carboxypeptidase. The specific effect of the CLE purified preparation on various synthetic peptides is discussed.