ISOLATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF A PROTEIN CORRESPONDING TO MKLK-11 CLONE FROM MALE-MOUSE SUBMANDIBULAR-GLAND

A protein corresponding to the predicted genomic sequence of clone mKl k-11 has been characterized from mouse submandibular gland. This prote in was purified by reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatograph y from the submandibular glands of normal and hypertensive mice. The p rotein was not detected in the submandibular gland of mice selected fo r low blood pressure. It consists of three fragments starting at the r esidues 1, 98, and 141 of the predicted sequence of clone mKlk-11. The cleavage of beta-lactoglobulin (between residues 20 and 21, Tyr-Ser, and 40 and 41, Arg-Val) and a synthetic renin substrate tetradecapepti de (residues 4 and 5, Tyr-Ile) by the protein corresponding to clone m Klk-11 showed both tryptic- and chymotryptic-type cleavages. The possi bility of this protein's involvement in the regulation of local blood flow is raised.