OBSERVATIONS ON THE ACTION OF MUCOLYTIC ENZYMES ON SALIVARY MUCOID

¹ Department of Biochemistry, University of Sydney, and Institute of Dental Research, United Dental Hospital, Sydney, Australia

The mode of action of salivary mucinase has been studied and the liberation of carbohydrate and reducing sugar shown.

The enzyme preparation showed -amylase and hyaluronidase activity; trypsin and lysozyme were not detected. Trypsin decreased the viscosity of salivary mucoid, and hyaluronidase liberated reducing sugar from mucinaseor trypsin-depolymerized mucoid.

It is suggested that the decrease in viscosity of salivary mucoid is due to the action of a proteolytic enzyme and that subsequently a hyaluronidase-like enzyme liberates the components of the mucopolysaccharide. Other enzymes are probably required before complete depolymerization occurs.