CHARACTERIZATION OF PROTEOLYTIC ACTIVITY IN CELOMIC FLUID OF LUMBRICUS-TERRESTRIS L (ANNELIDA, LUMBRICIDAE)

Dose-response curves, time course, pH dependence and temperature sensi tivity of proteolytic activity are presented for the coelomic fluid of untreated (CF) and stimulated (CFst) earthworms (L. terrestris). Prot eolytic enzymes were observed in four fractions after HPLC gelfiltrati on and DEAE ion exchange chromatography in CFst. Eight proteases of di fferent electrophoretic mobility were identified after native PAGE and gelatin-agar overlay. The ability of proteolytic fractions to react w ith specific protease substrates Suc-Ala-Ala-Pro-Phe-thiobenzyl-ester (SPT) and N-benzylcarbonyl-ester (BLT) shows their chymotrypsin- and t rypsin-like character. The occurrence of an increased number of protea ses after stimulating the earthworm's coelomic cavity where leukocytes reside is discussed. Copyright (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Inc.