[Influence of various trace elements on tryptic hydrolysis]

The rate of hydrolysis of the synthetic trypsin substrate N alpha-benzoyl-L-arginine-p-nitroanilide was determined from turnover rate curves, when the trace elements zinc, iron, cobalt, and nickel were added in the concentration range from 0.9 . 10(-7) to 0.9 . 10(-3) mol Men+/l. The enzyme substrate ratio was 1:50. An influence on the activity of trypsin, depending on the element used and on its concentration could be determined. Cobalt and iron accelerated the enzyme's capacity of hydrolysis at all concentrations used, whereas addition of higher but not toxic amounts of zinc or nickel resulted in an inhibition.