Abstract
Hydrolysis of the more complex protein molecule into simpler forms carried on with the aid of proteolytic enzymes ordinarily requires considerable time even at body temperature. Some time ago it was observed that the addition of a very small amount of solid pepsin to fibrin jelly causes an almost immediate solution of the fibrin at room temperature. The jelly was produced by treating 20 gm. of washed fibrin with 250 cc. of .04% hydrochloric acid. If the jelly is stirred or shaken after the addition of the pepsin, 5 minutes usually suffices to put the fibrin into solution. An observation on this point is recorded in literature but no definite data is given as to condition of the experiment, the speed of the solution or the nature of the end products.
Recently the nature of the soluble protein products has been studied. Dr. Hektoen determined by means of an anti-fibrinogen serum that the soluble protein, resulting from this treatment, was immunologically different from fibrinogen. This result definitely eliminated the idea that this reaction might be a reversal of the one which causes conversion of fibrinogen into fibrin. A further study on the soluble products resulting from this treatment revealed the fact that they are largely proteose in character and that the larger percentage of the compounds falls between the limits of 50 to 100 saturation with ammonium sulpliate. We have then, here, a definite demonstration of extremely rapid proteolysis at room temperature.
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