Metabolism of proteins and glycoproteins in tumour bearing mice treated with Aeromonas L-asparaginase.

L-asparaginase, isolated in our laboratory, from Aeromonas had been found to be antileukaemic. In the present study, changes in the levels of proteins and glycoproteins in leukaemic mice and under treatment with Aeromonas L-asparaginase have been compared. Levels of protein bound hexose, fucose and sialic acid which were increased during leukaemia attained normal levels when treated with L-asparaginase. The increased blood urea level declined significantly during enzyme therapy. Effects of L-asparaginase are compared with 'Leunase', a commercially available drug used in the treatment of leukaemia.