Role of enzymes and inhibitors in leu-enkephalin metabolism in rabbit and human plasma.

The hydrolysis of leucine enkephalin by the proteolytic enzymes present in human and rabbit plasma has been studied by kinetic and chromatographic techniques. Data obtained indicate the existence of noticeable intraspecific differences in the kinetics of leu-enkephalin degradation, and of formation of its hydrolysis by-products. The separation of the enzymes active on the substrate and of the inhibitors active on these enzymes evidences the existence of a species specific distribution of both groups of substances. Yet, the dissimilar kinetics of the substrate hydrolysis and of formation of its hydrolysis by-products appear to arise more from diversities in the competition between the enzymes present in plasma and in the role of inhibitors than from the differences in the enkephalin-degrading enzymes. It is suggested that differences observed may be related to the existence of species specific populations of the information-carrying plasma peptides.