[Proteolytic activity of the vitreous body]

It was found that the human and bovine vitreous contains a proteolytic enzyme(s) which demonstrates characteristic features of cathepsin D. It acts in acidic pH with various activity, dependent on the condition of the eye and actively digests native and denatured protein substrates. It demonstrates a high susceptibility to the inhibitory action of pepstatin. The role of this enzyme in physiology and pathology of the eye is discussed.