HEMORPHIN PEPTIDES ARE RELEASED FROM HEMOGLOBIN BY CATHEPSIN-D RADIOIMMUNOASSAY AGAINST THE C-PART OF V-V-HEMORPHIN-7 - AN ALTERNATIVE ASSAY FOR THE CATHEPSIN-D ACTIVITY

In order to investigate the putative physiological role of the in vivo release of hemorphins from hemoglobin in tissues, an immunological ap proach was developed. Specific and sensitive antiserum were raised aga inst the-C-part of the V-V-hemorphin-7. The antisera recognized to the same extent the two related hemorphins V-V-hemorphin-7 and L-V-V-hemo rphin-7. The validity of our immunological approach was analyzed by st udying the in vitro release of hemorphin from hemoglobin by cathepsin D and compared to the pepsin hydrolysis. These two enzymes led to the release of these same products suggesting that cathepsin D acted as an accurate pepsin-like enzyme. Moreover, considering the poor sensitivi ty of the available methods of detection for the in vitro Cathepsin D activity, our specific and sensitive V-V-hemorphin-7 radioimmunoassay seems to be a useful alternative assay for this enzymatic activity. (C ) 1997 Elsevier Science Inc.