A proteinase associated with cortices of rainbow trout eggs and involved in fertilization-induced depolymerization of polysialoglycoproteins.

A novel proteinase that acts on polysialoglycoprotein (PSGP) was found in the cortex fraction of the unfertilized eggs of rainbow trout. This enzyme (designated PSGPase) is responsible for specific depolymerization of cortical vesicular 200- to 9-kDa PSGP in vivo upon fertilization. We have succeeded in measuring the enzyme activity in an in vitro system by using 3H-labeled PSGP as the substrate. In the in vitro system PSGPase is active only at concentrations of NaCl below 40 mM and at low temperature (optimum temperature, about 16 degrees C), which are the conditions most suitable for egg activation.