The activation of latent pig synovial collagenase.

Latent pig synovial collagenase (EC 3.4.24.7) can be activated by a variety of different treatments to give an active enzyme form of lower molecular weight which rapidly degrades collagen. Trypsin and plasmin effectively activated the latent collagenase whilst elastase and cathepsin G degraded most of the latent enzyme before it was activated. A number of mercurials were compared and maximum activation was achieved using 4-aminophenylmercuric acetate and phenylmercuric chloride. The latent collagenase bound to a mercurial-Sepharose column and was eluted in the active form with NaCl. The latent collagenase also activated spontaneously and the conditions which encouraged and prevented this activation were studied. High NaCl concentration, diisopropylphosphofluoridate, soybean trypsin inhibitor, low Zn2+ concentration and high and low pH all prevented the spontaneous activation of latent pig synovial collagenase.