Activation of latent human granulocyte gelatinase by rat mast cell protease.

Rat peritoneal mast cell extract contains an activator of latent human granulocyte gelatinase. The activator has been partially purified and characterized. It shows a similarity to rat mast cell chymase in several properties including its molecular weight, substrate specificity and sensitivity to inhibitors. The activation of latent gelatinase with rat mast cell protease is dependent on protease concentration, incubation time and is mediated through the catalytic site of the activator. The significance of mast cell protease in the regulation of collagenolytic enzymes is discussed.