A zinc-dependent peptidase in prostatic organelles present in seminal plasma

The electrophoretic seminal plasma protein pattern changes obviously within a few hours if the plasma is not frozen after the ejaculation. Mainly cathodal proteins disappear. Addition of serine protease inhibitors has no apparent affect, but o-phenanthroline markedly retards the conversions seen on electrophoresis. The subcellular organelles in seminal plasma are shown to contain a zinc ion dependent peptidase with optimal activity at pH 7.8. Estimations of enzyme activity may be performed using the elastase substrates n-tert butyloxycarbonyl-L-alanine-paranitrophenylester (Boc(Ala)) and succinyl(alanine)3-paranitroanilide (Suc(Ala)3pNA). The enzyme is inactivated by addition of o-phenanthroline and is completely reactivated by the addition of zinc ions.