[Proteolytic breakdown of human inter-alpha-trypsin inhibitor by plasmin (author's transl)]

Inter-alpha-trypsin inhibitor was isolated from human plasma and submitted to proteolytic degradation by plasmin. A split product of low molecular weight (18 000 daltons) is obtained by gel filtration or solubilisation in perchloric acid. This fragment reacts with an anti-inter-alpha-trypsin inhibitor immune serum and migrates as beta1 globulins. Its specific activity against trypsin (after absorption of residual plasmin on sepharose lysine) was estimated to be 900 mU1/mg. Thus one molecule of fragment can inhibit one molecule of trypsin. As well with native protein as with its fragment, complexes formed with trypsin can be dissociated by urea or sodium dodecyl sulfate. This fragment is similar to the small molecular weight inhibitors obtained directly by solubilisation in perchloric acid from serum, urine and bronchial secretions.