The two human trypsinogens: catalytic properties of the corresponding trypsins

The catalytic properties of the two human trypsins obtained from purified trypsinogens have been studied. The catalytic rate constant kcat and the pK of the ionisable residue implicated in the active site have been determined with Bz-Arg-OEt. The hydrolysis of Tos-Arg-OMe by human trypsins does not follow the simple Michaelis-Menten scheme and indicates a difference in the conformational flexibility of the active site-regions of the two enzymes. Both enzyme are readily autolyzed and calcium ion plays a fundamental role in stabilizing trypsin activity. However trypsin 2 self-digests more rapidly than trypsin 1. These results are a prerequisite to the elucidation of the fate of pancreatic enzymes in human digestive tract.