STUDIES OF ENZYMES AS POSSIBLE FACTORS IN 

 THE DEVELOPMENT OF EDEMA 



2. The influence of proteases on the swelling of fibrin, coUagen 

 and elastin particles in alkalin and acid media 



GROVER TRACY and WILLIAM J. GIES 



(Laboratory of Biological Chemistry of Columbia University, at the College 

 of Physicians and Surgeons, New York) 



INTRODUCTION 



Six years ago Berg and Gies completed a prelimlnary series of 

 experiments on "the effects of ions on catalysis, with particular 

 reference to peptolysis and tryptolysis."^ The follovving remarks 

 appear in their "summary of main conclusions " (page 545) :^ 



In general harmony with the observed digestive disparities, there 

 were marked inequahties of the swelHng effects on fibrin in every 

 equivalent series of acid or basic Solutions. Bloating influences on 

 fibrin were due primarily to the acid or base, but were more pronounced 

 in the presence of ensyme. Elastin did not swell perceptibly in either 

 the acid or basic Solutions employed, but did so in the latter when 

 trypsin ztjas present. 



The parts played by the various ions and molecules in peptolysis, 

 or tryptolysis, or in the swelling of the Proteins, have not been con- 

 sidered experimentally in any special way. Whether the ions or mole- 

 cules or both affect the proteins, the enzymes, the water, or all col- 

 lectively, in the swelling and hydrolytic processes, will be considered at 

 a more favorable opportunity. 



The "more favorable opportunity" for extended consideration 

 of the " swelling and hydrolytic processes " has not arisen, although 



^Berg and Gies: Journal of Biological Chemistry, 1906-7, ii, p. 48g. 



* References to the experimental observations on which the above conclu- 

 sions are based appear on pages 508, 509, 522, 523 and 541. Under the head of 

 " swelling effects on fibrin," Berg and Gies wrote (page 523) : " We intend to 

 repeat the experiments under various conditions and to discuss the significance 

 of the results after more data have been accumulated." 



467 



