Human saliva kallikrein. Biological properties of saliva kallikrein isolated by use of affinity chromatography.

Kallikrein purified from whole human saliva was studied for its influence on leucocyte migration and kinin generating capacity. The kallikrein had a leucotactic effect on neutrophil leucocytes in the presence of 2% serum albumin. This leucotactic effect could be inhibited by Trasylol. The study showed that kallikrein liberated kinin from the precursor kininogen in dog plasma. Maximal release of kinin was achieved after 4 min of incubation. The kinin generating capacity of the enzyme was studied at different concentrations of kininogen. A maximum kinin release at 11.2 mug bradykinin per mg enzyme per minute was found.