The distribution and some properties of collagenolytic cathepsin in the bovine eye.

In vitro degradation of insoluble vitreous collagen by the action of collagenolytic cathepsin was studied biochemically. Among bovine ocular tissues, the uvea and the retina showed relatively high collagenolytic activity. The ciliary body revealed the highest specific activities of both cathepsin B and collagenolytic cathepsin. Leupeptin and p-chloromercuribenzoate inhibited both cathepsin B and collagenolytic cathepsin in the ciliary body lysosomes. Pepstatin inhibited cathepsin D, but did not affect cathepsin B and collagenolytic cathepsin. It is suggested that distribution and properties of collagenolytic cathepsin are similar to those of cathepsin B in the bovine eye.