Peptidase activity in bovine growth hormone preparations

Abstract

Peptidase activity was detected in bovine growth hormone preparations supplied by the Endocrinology Study Section, National Institutes of Health. Two distinct protein peaks were obtained upon gel nitration of bovine growth hormone; peptidase activity was associated with the first peak. Peptidase activity was detected by using ¹⁴C-acetyl bovine serum albumin or ¹⁴C-carbamyl bovine growth hormone as substrate. The hydrolysis of peptide bonds was ascertained by following changes in the elution profile of the radioactivity during gel nitration. Very low levels of peptidase activity which could not be detected by casein digestion were observed by this method.