125I-glucagon-degrading activity in acid-saline extracts of rat salivary gland.

The antibody-binding ability of the glucagon-like substance in rat submaxillary gland acid saline extract was examined by affinity chromatography, and the biological activity studied using the isolated liver perfusion method. We found that the glucagon-like substances in acid saline extract could not be bound to anti-glucagon antibody and that the gel-filtration peak on ultrogel AcA 54 could increase neither glucose nor cyclic AMP output from isolated perfused rat liver. Furthermore, the radioactivity peak of 125I-glucagon on Bio Gel P-6 column chromatography moved from its original position and eluted in later fractions after incubation with an acid saline extract of the submaxillary gland. In consequence, there was 125I-glucagon degrading activity in the submaxillary gland, but no glucagon-related peptide. Therefore, it is suggested that the glucagon-like substance, which has been reported in acid saline extract of the rat salivary gland, may be an artifact due to tracer degrading activity.