Bovine gingival collagenase: demonstration and initial characterization

A collagenase active against native collagen was found in culture fluids of bovine gingiva. The enzyme first appeared in the culture fluid after 1-2 days and could be harvested thereafter for at least 30 days. The collagenase attacked collagen fibrils and cleaved collagen in solution, resulting in reaction products 1/4 and 3/4 of the length of the original molecule. The enzyme was inhibited by serum, by EDTA and by cysteine. The molecular weight was estimated by gel filtration to be 63,000 daltons.