The purification of bovine cathepsin B1 and its mode of action on bovine collagens

1. Cathepsin B1 was isolated from bovine spleen by autolysis, (NH(4))(2)SO(4) fractionation and chromatography on Amberlite IRC-50. Two isoenzyme forms were purified to homogeneity by chromatography on CM-cellulose and DEAE-Sephadex. 2. A collagenolytic cathepsin was separated from cathepsin B1 during purification. The remaining collagenolytic activity of the purified cathepsin-B1 isoenzymes was no greater than 0.3 unit/unit of cathepsin B1 compared with about 5.0 unit/unit of cathepsin B1 in the autolysed spleen extracts. 3. The cathepsin B1 isoenzymes lowered the viscosity of gelatin at 37 degrees C. Optimum activity was at pH4-5. 4. At 28 degrees C the interchain cross-links in native tropocollagen were cleaved most effectively at pH4-5. Insoluble tendon collagen was digested at pH3.5 and 28 degrees C to yield mainly alpha-chain components, with the loss of a short N-terminal sequence. 5. Electron-microscope studies of collagen fibrils showed that cathepsin B1 caused longitudinal splitting and dissociation of the protofilaments. The effect was not general but occurred at selected sites. 6. The isoenzymes of cathepsin B1 cleaved the telopeptide region of calf skin tropocollagen between the lysine-derived cross-link and the triple helix. The CB1 peptide fragments obtained from enzyme-degraded alpha1 chains were hydrolysed at Gly(12)-Ile(13) and Ser(14)-Val(15). The residual alpha2 CB1 peptides were hydrolysed at Ala(8)-Asp(9) and Asp(9)-Phe(10).     

Bovine spleen cathepsin B1 and collagenolytic cathepsin. A comparative study of the properties of the two enzymes in the degradation of native collagen.

Bovine spleen cathepsin B1 and collagenolytic cathepsin were separated by chromatography on Amberlite IRC-50 and collagenolytic cathepsin was partially purified by chromatography on DEAE-Sephadex (A-50). 2. Collagenolytic cathepsin degraded insoluble tendon collagen maximally at pH 3.5 and 28 degrees C; mainly alpha-chain components were released into solution. At 28 degrees C the telopeptides in soluble skin collagen were also cleaved to yield alpha-chain components. Collagenolytic cathepsin was thus similar to cathepsin B1 in its action against native collagen, but mixtures of these two enzymes exhibited a synergistic effect. 3. The addition of thiol-blocking compounds produced similar inhibition of collagenolytic cathepsin and cathepsin B1. The enzyme responded similarly to all other compounds tested except to 6-aminohexanoic acid, when collagenolytic cathepsin was slightly activated and cathepsin B1 was almost unaffected. 4. Leupeptin, which is a structural analogue of arginine-containing synthetic substrates, inhibited collagenolytic cathepsin as effectively as cathepsin B1. Collagenolytic cathepsin was shown to retain a low residual activity against alpha-N-benzoyl-DL-arginine p-nitroanilide during purification which was equivalent to 0.2% of the activity of cathepsin B1. 5. Cathepsin B1 and collagenolytic cathepsin could not be separated by affinity chromatography on organomercurial-Sepharose 4B. The two enzymes could be resolved on DEAE-Sephadex (A-50) and by isoelectric focusing in an Ampholine pH gradient. The pI of the major cathepsin B1 isoenzyme was 4.9 and the pI of collagenolytic cathepsin was 6.4. 6. From chromatography on Sephadex G-75 (superfine grade) the molecular weights were calculated to be 26000 for cathepsin B1 and 20000 for collagenolytic cathepsin. The difference in molecular weight was confirmed by sodium dodecyl sulphate/polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis.     

Cathepsin D of rat spleen. Affinity purification and properties of two types of cathepsin D.

Two types of cathepsin D were purified from rat spleen by a rapid procedure involving an acid precipitation of tissue extract, affinity chromatography with pepstatin--Sepharose 4B and concanavalin-A--Sepharose 4B, and chromatography on Sephadex G-100 and DEAE-Sephacel. The purified major enzyme (85% of the cathepsin D activity after DEAE-Sephacel chromatography), termed cathepsin D-I, represented about a 1000-fold purification over the homogenate and about a 20% recovery. The purified minor enzyme (15%), termed cathepsin D-II, represented about a 900-fold purification and about a 3% recovery. Both enzymes showed four (pI: 4.2, 4.9, 6.1 and 6.5) and three (pI: 4.6, 5.6 and 5.8) multiple forms after isoelectric focusing, respectively. The purified enzymes appeared homogeneous on electrophoresis in polyacrylamide gel and had a molecular weight of about 44000. In sodium dodecylsulfate/polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis both enzymes showed a single protein band corresponding to a molecular weight of 44000. The enzymes had similar amino acid compositions except for serine, proline and methionine. Cathepsin D-I contained 6.6% carbohydrate, consisting of mannose, glucose, galactose, fucose and glucosamine in a ratio of 8:2:1:1:5 with a trace of sialic acid. The properties of purified enzymes were also compared.     

A probable mechanism of inactivation by urea of goat spleen cathepsin B. Unfolding and refolding studies.

Equilibrium and kinetic studies of the unfolding-refolding of goat spleen cathepsin B induced by urea are reported. Tryptophan fluorescence and enzyme activity were monitored. The activity of cathepsin B is lost reversibly at 1.2 M-urea. The enzyme unfolds in two main stages, having a stable intermediate (Y) between its native (N) and fully denatured (D) states. Enzyme activity and kinetic studies of these transitions indicate the existence of at least two intermediate forms (X1 and X2) between the N and Y states. The overall denaturation and renaturation scheme is thus suggested to be N in equilibrium with X1----X2 in equilibrium with Y in equilibrium with D. The multiplicity of the intermediate and fractional regaining of the activity up to a urea concentration of 2 M indicates the presence of multidomain structure in cathepsin B.     

Interrelationship of active and latent secreted human cathepsin B precursors.

Two high-Mr forms of cathepsin B have been described previously, both of which are stable at alkaline pH, in contrast with the lysosomal proteinase. One form is latent and activated by pepsin treatment; the other form is active as measured with synthetic substrates. In the present study it was shown that the two forms are indistinguishable on the basis of molecular size as determined by gel-filtration chromatography or sodium dodecyl sulphate/polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis followed by immunoblotting. Both forms lose their alkali-stability upon exposure to Hg2+, and after Hg2+ treatment the latent form becomes immuneprecipitable by an antiserum that reacts only with denatured cathepsin B. Lysosomal cathepsin B is bound by the plasma proteinase inhibitor alpha 2-macroglobulin, a process that requires proteolytic cleavage of the inhibitor. In contrast, the stable active form of cathepsin B is not bound by this inhibitor unless this enzyme is first destabilized by Hg2+ treatment. These results indicate that cathepsin B exists in three different states of activity, completely latent, partially active and fully proteolytically active. To exhibit true endopeptidase activity it seems that the enzyme must be in an alkali-unstable form.     

Entamoeba histolytica: purification of cathepsin B

A cytotoxic cysteine proteinase with a molecular weight of 16,000 was isolated from axenically grown trophozoites of Entamoeba histolytica. The enzyme was purified from frozen-thawed strain HM-1 by ion-exchange chromatography on DEAE-cellulose, organomercurial agarose affinity chromatography, and size-exclusion chromatography. The purified enzyme had proteinase activity that could be demonstrated on azocasein (pH 5), hemoglobin (pH 5), or carbobenzoxy-L-arginyl--L-arginyl-7-amino-4-trifluoromethylcoumarin++ + (Z-arg-arg-AFC), a substrate specific for cathepsin B. Enzyme activity was stable to high pH, but not to 40 C for 1 hr or 56 C for 0.5 hr. As typical of cysteine proteinases, inhibition of activity on Z-arg-arg-AFC by p-chloromercuribenzoate or mercury was reversed by free sulfhydryl groups. Both the proteinase and cytotoxic activities of the purified amoebal cathepsin B were inhibited by leupeptin and serum and activated by free sulfhydryl groups, supporting the hypothesis that both activities are characteristics of amoebal cathepsin B. Virulent strains of E. histolytica (HM-1 and Rahman) had significantly more cathepsin B activity per milligram protein than less virulent strains (HK-9, Laredo, and Huff). The correlation between higher levels of cathepsin B activity in strains with greater virulence could indicate a role for amoebal cathepsin B in the pathogenesis of amoebiasis.     

Isorenin, pseudorenin, cathepsin D and renin. A comparative enzymatic study of angiotensin-forming enzymes

1. Renin was purified 30 000-fold from rat kidneys by chromatography on DEAE-cellulose and SP-Sephadex, and by affinity chromatography on pepstatinyl-Sepharose. 2. The enzymatic properties of isorenin from rat brain, pseudorenin from hog spleen, cathepsin D from bovine spleen, and renin from rat kidneys were compared: Isorenin, pseudorenin and cathepsin D generate angiotensin from tetradecapeptide renin substrate with pH optima around 4.9, renin at 6.0. With sheep angiotensinogen as substrate, isorenin, pseudorenin and cathepsin D have similar pH profiles (pH optima at 3.9 and 5.5), in contrast to renin (pH optimum at 6.8). 3. The angiotensin-formation from tetradecapeptide by isorenin, pseudorenin and cathepsin D was inhibited by albumin, alpha-and beta-globulins. These 3 enzymes have acid protease activity at pH 3.2 with hemoglobin as the substrate. Renin is not inhibited by proteins and has no acid protease activity. 4. Renin generates angiotensin I from various angiotensinogens at least 100 000 times faster than isorenin, pseudorenin or cathepsin D, and 3000 000 times faster than isorenin when compared at pH 7.2 with rat angiotensinogen as substrate. 5. The 3 'non-renin' enzymes exhibit a high sensitivity to inhibition by pepstatin (Ki less than 5.10(-10) M), in contrast to renin (Ki approximately 6-10(-7) M), at pH 5.5. 6. It is concluded from the data that isorenin from rat brain and pseudorenin from hog spleen are closely related to, or identical with cathepsin D.     

Separation and properties of three forms of cathepsin H-like cysteine proteinase from rat spleen

Three forms of cathepsin H-like cysteine proteinase were purified from rat spleen by a method involving acid treatment and chromatography on pepstatin-Sepharose, Sephadex G-75, DEAE-Sephacel, CM-Toyopearl, and concanavalin A-Sepharose. The final preparations of these forms all migrated as single protein bands on polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis with and without sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS). The molecular weights of the three forms were estimated to be 28,000 (form I), 26,000 (form II), and 22,000 (form III). The optimal pH was 6.5 for forms I and III and was 7.0 for form II with L-leucine 2-naphthylamide (Leu-NA) or with alpha-N-benzoyl-DL-arginine 2-naphthylamide (BANA). All of the forms consisted of two major species having isoelectric points of 7.1 and 6.5 on isoelectric focusing gels. They were all stable when incubated at pH values between 5.0 and 9.0 for 1 h at 22 degrees C. They were strongly inhibited by iodoacetic acid and E-64, but not by metal ions or pepstatin. Form III was not affected by leupeptin, chymostatin, antipain or elastatinal, which gave essentially complete inhibition of cathepsin B purified from rat spleen. Forms I and II were slightly inhibited by these compounds at the same concentrations. The properties of these forms were compared with those of the known enzymes cathepsin H and BANA-hydrolase.     

Competitive RT-PCR for studying gene expression in micro biopsies

Characterization of cathepsin B from buffalo kidney and goat spleen showed the presence of isozymes in case of the goat spleen (GSCB-I and GSCB-II) whereas cathepsin B from buffalo kidney exhibited only one form (BKCB). The molecular weights determined by SDS-PAGE for GSCB-I, GSCB-II, and BKCB were 25.7, 26.6 and 25.5 kDa respectively. The kinetic parameters (K_m and V_max) of GSCB-I showed close similarities with BKCB against -N-benzoyl-DL-arginine-2-napthylamide whereas GSCB-II was closer to the buffalo enzyme with regards to its activity against Z-Arg-Arg-MCA and Z-Phe-Arg-MCA. All the three enzymes had similar sensitivities towards urea, antipain and leupeptin. However, clear differences were observed in the inhibition patterns of the enzyme with iodoacetic acid and iodoacetamide. Differences in the kinetic, immunogenic and some catalytic properties of GSCB-I and II, which had similarities with regard to most of their physico-chemical properties, were considered to be due to the existenceof two isozyme forms in goat spleen cathepsin B preparations. Absence of such a multiplicity in forms of the enzyme from buffalo kidney was accordingly attributed to the absence of cathepsin B isozymes in this species. These observations taken together therefore, indicate a probable species/tissue dependence of cathepsin B.     

Purification and characterization of a low molecular weight cysteine proteinase inhibitor from bovine muscle

A low-Mr tight binding proteinase inhibitor was purified from bovine muscle by alkaline denaturation of cysteine proteinases, gel filtration on Sephadex G-75 and affinity chromatography on carboxymethyl-papain-Sepharose. Chromatofocusing separated three isoforms which are similar in their Mr of about 14 000, their stability with heating at 80 degrees C and their inhibitory activity towards cathepsin H, cathepsin B and papain. The equilibrium constants (Ki) were determined for these three cysteine proteinases but for cathepsin H, association (kass) and dissociation (kdiss) rate constants were also evaluated. Ki values of 56 nM and 8.4 nM were found for cathepsin B and cathepsin H, respectively. For papain, Ki was in the range of 0.1-1 nM. The kinetic features of enzyme-inhibitor binding suggest a possible role for this low-Mr protein inhibitor in controlling 'in vivo' cathepsin H proteolytic activity. With regard to cathepsin B, such a physiological role was less evident.     

Purification and immunological properties of cathepsin B in carpCyprinus carpio

Cathepsin B was purified from the crude extract of carp (Cyprinus carpio) hepato-pancreas by the method involving ammonium sulfate fractionation and five sequential chromatographies monitored the activity with Z-Arg-Arg-MCA as a substrate, and the specific activity increased about 11,400 fold with a 2% recovery. Although the homogeneity of the purified cathepsin B was established on Native-PAGE, it migrated as two bands of 29,000 and 25,000 molecular weights by the single and heavy chains on SDS-PAGE, respectively. The monospecific antibody against the homogeneous cathepsin B was purified by the affinity chromatography on cathepsin B-Sepharose 4B, and did not immunologically react with rat cathepsin B, carp cathepsins H and L but only with carp cathepsin B by immunoelectrophoretic blot analysis. As the result of the tissue and liver distributions of cathepsin B, the remarkable immunological reactivities in the extracts of spleen, kidney and hepato-pancreas in carp and those of pacific cod, yellow fin tuna, skip jack tuna and common mackerel in pisces were detected with the anti-carp hepato-pancreas cathepsin B at molecular weight of nearby 29,000 or 25,000.     

Preparation of cathepsins B and H by covalent chromatography and characterization of their catalytic sites by reaction with a thiol-specific two-protonic-state reactivity probe. Kinetic study of cathepsins B and H extending into alkaline media and a rapid spectroscopic titration of cathepsin H at pH 3-4.

A procedure for the isolation of cathepsin B (EC 3.4.22.1) and of cathepsin H from bovine spleen involving covalent chromatography by thiol-disulphide interchange and ion-exchange chromatography was devised. The stabilities of both cathepsins in alkaline media are markedly temperature-dependent, and reliable kinetic data can be obtained at pH values up to 8 by working at 25 degrees C with a continuous spectrophotometric assay. Both enzyme preparations contain only one type of thiol group as judged by reactivity characteristics towards 2,2'-dipyridyl disulphide at pH values up to 8; in each case this thiol group is essential for catalytic activity. Cathepsin H was characterized by kinetic analysis of the reactions of its thiol group with 2,2'-dipyridyl disulphide in the pH range approx. 2-8 and the analogous study on cathepsin B [Willenbrock & Brocklehurst (1984) Biochem. J. 222, 805-814] was extended to include reaction at pH values up to approx. 8. Cathepsin H, like the other cysteine proteinases, was shown to contain an interactive catalytic-site system in which the nucleophilic character of the sulphur atom is maintained in acidic media. The considerable differences in catalytic site characteristics detected by this two-protonic-state reactivity probe between cathepsin B, cathepsin H, papain (EC 3.4.22.2) and actinidin (EC 3.4.22.14) are discussed. Reaction with 2,2'-dipyridyl disulphide in acidic media, which is known to provide a rapid spectrophotometric active centre titration for many cysteine proteinases, is applicable to cathepsin H. This is useful because other active-centre titrations have proved unsuitable in view of the relatively low reactivity of the thiol group in cathepsin H.     

A comparison of four cathepsins (B, L, N and S) with collagenolytic activity from rabbit spleen.

We have separated four cathepsins (B, L, N and S) from rabbit spleen. They are all collagen-degrading cysteine proteinases, with Mr values of 25,250, 23,500, 34,000 and 30,000 for cathepsin B, L, N and S respectively. Cathepsins B, N and S have isoelectric points of 5.4, 6.2 and 6.8 respectively, whereas cathepsin L exhibited multiple charge forms in the range 5.0-5.7. A comparison of their specific activity against a variety of protein and synthetic substrates shows many differences. These differences can be visually illustrated through isoelectric focusing and detection of enzymic activity with protein and synthetic-substrate overlays. By using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay based on the binding to chicken cystatin and detection with polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies to native cathepsins B and L, no cross-reactivity of the four native enzymes was observed. Studies on the co-operative or synergistic effect in degrading collagen indicated that, of the different combinations tested, only the combination of cathepsin B and N exhibited enhanced collagenolysis.     

Degradation of myofibrillar proteins by cathepsins B and D

1. The procedure of Barrett [(1973) Biochem. J.131, 809-822] for isolating cathepsins B and D from human liver was modified for use with rat liver and skeletal muscle. The purified enzymes appeared to be similar to those reported in other species. 2. Sephadex G-75 chromatography of concentrated muscle extract resolved two peaks of cathepsin B inhibitory activity, corresponding to molecular weights of 12500 and 62000. 3. The degradation of purified myofibrillar proteins by cathepsins B and D was clearly demonstrated by sodium dodecyl sulphate/polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis. After incubation with enzyme, the polypeptide bands representing the substrates decreased in intensity and lower molecular weight products appeared. 4. Cathepsins B and D, purified from either rat liver or skeletal muscle, were shown to degrade myosin, purified from either rabbit or rat muscle. Soluble denatured myosin was degraded more extensively than insoluble native myosin. Degradation by cathepsin B was inhibited by lack of reducing agent, or by myoglobin, iodoacetic acid and leupeptin, but not by pepstatin. The same potential modifiers were applied to cathepsin D, and only pepstatin produced inhibition. 5. Rat liver cathepsin B had a pH optimum of 5.2 on native rabbit myosin. The pH optimum of cathepsin D was 4.0, with a shoulder of activity about 1pH unit above the optimum. 6. Rat liver cathepsins B and D were demonstrated to degrade rabbit F-actin at pH5.0, and were inhibited by leupeptin and pepstain, respectively. 7. The degradation of myosin and actin by cathepsin D was more extensive than that by cathepsin B.     

Bovine cathepsins S and L: isolation and amino acid sequences.

The purification procedure of cathepsin S includes acid activation of spleen homogenate, incubation at 37 degrees C, precipitation with (NH4)2SO4 in H2O/tert-butanol medium, gel chromatography, chromatofocusing, covalent chromatography and cation chromatography of FPLC system. Cathepsin S has a M(r) of about 24,000 Da with pI of 6.5 and 6.8. The mixture of both forms gave a single sequence. Cathepsin L was purified from bovine kidney by acid treatment and incubation of 37 degrees C, precipitation by (NH4)2SO4, two ion exchange chromatographies on CM-Sephadex, gel chromatography and ion exchange chromatography on FPLC system. Cathepsin L exists in multiple forms with pI 5.3-5.7 and M(r) of about 29,000 Da. N-terminal amino acid sequence confirms that cathepsin L and cathepsin S are different enzymes.     

Purification and properties of different isoforms of bovine cathepsin B

A rapid purification procedure is described for cathepsin B from bovine liver. After preparation of crude lysosomal extracts, the method only involves DEAE Zeta-Prep-Disk chromatography, gel filtration, and fast protein liquid chromatography on Mono-S column. Two active peaks (P1 and P2) of cathepsin B were distinguished. Both presented uncleaved (relative mass (Mr) 30,000) and cleaved (Mr 25,000 + Mr 5000) chains, but different isoforms as revealed by isoelectrofocusing. These two different populations of cathepsin B isoforms nevertheless exhibited similar enzymatic properties. Km and kcat were 114 microM and 52 s-1, and 125 microM and 75 s-1, for hydrolysis of Z-Arg-Arg-NMec by P1 and P2, respectively. Both were rapidly inhibited by low concentrations of E-64 or leupeptin, but were unaffected by cathepsin-L-specific inhibitor Z-Phe-Phe-CHN2.     

Chromophoric and fluorophoric peptide substrates cleaved through the dipeptidyl carboxypeptidase activity of cathepsin B

The action of bovine spleen cathepsin B as a dipeptidyl carboxypeptidase on newly synthesized substrates of the type peptidyl-X-p-nitrophenylalanyl (Phe(NO2))-Y (X,Y = amino acid residue) or 5-dimethylaminonaphthalene-1-sulfonyl (Dns)-peptidyl-X-Phe(NO2)-Y was investigated. The kinetic parameters of hydrolysis of the X-Phe(NO2) bond were determined by difference spectrophotometry (delta epsilon 310 = 1600 M-1 cm-1) or by spectrofluorometry by following the five- to eightfold increase of Dns-group fluorescence with excitation at 350 nm and emission at 535 nm. The substrates were moderately sensitive to cathepsin B; kcat varied from 0.7 to 4 s-1 at pH 5 and 25 degrees C; Km varied from 6 to 240 microM. The very acidic optima of pH 4-5 are characteristic for dipeptidyl carboxypeptidase activity of cathepsin B. Bovine spleen cathepsins S and H had little and no activity, respectively, when assayed with Pro-Glu-Ala-Phe(NO2)-Gly. These peptides should be a valuable tool for routine assays and for mechanistic studies on cathepsin B.     

The nature of the collagenolytic cathepsin of rat liver and its distribution in other rat tissues

1. An enzyme present in rat liver extracts degraded insoluble collagen maximally at pH3.5. Collagenolytic activity was more abundant in kidney, spleen and bone marrow and was also present in decreasing concentrations in ileum, lung, heart, skin and muscle. 2. The crude collagenolytic cathepsin was activated by cysteine and dithiothreitol, but not by 2-mercaptoethanol. Iodoacetamide, p-chloromercuribenzoate and 7-amino-1-chloro-3-l-tosylamidoheptan-2-one hydrochloride inhibited the enzyme. Zn(2+), Fe(3+) and Hg(2+) ions were strongly inhibitory, but Ca(2+), Co(2+), Mg(2+) and Fe(2+) ions had little or no effect. EDTA was an activator of the enzyme. Inhibitors of cathepsin B were found to enhance collagenolysis, but phenylpyruvic acid, a cathepsin D inhibitor, inhibited the enzyme. Di-isopropyl phosphorofluoridate had no effect. 3. Collagenolysis at pH3.5 and 28 degrees C was restricted to cleavage of the telopeptide region in insoluble collagen, and the material that was solubilized consisted mostly of alpha-chains. 4. The collagenolytic cathepsin was separated from cathepsins B2 and D by fractionation on Sephadex G-100 and a partial separation from cathepsin B1 was obtained by chromatography on DEAE-Sephadex. 5. The function of the collagenolytic cathepsin in the catabolism of collagen is discussed in relation to the action of the other lysosomal proteinases and the neutral collagenase.     

Neutral proteinases of human spleen. Purification and criteria for homogeneity of elastase and cathepsin G.

1. Human spleen was found to contain proteinases active against azo-casein at neutral and alkaline pH values. 2. The activity was stimulated by high ionic strength and some detergents. 3. Optimal extraction of the proteinases from the tissue was achieved with 1.0M-NaCl containing 0.1% Brij 35 and 0.1% trisodium EDTA. 4. The proteinases were efficiently adsorbed to insoluble material in the absence of salt in the initial stages of purification. 5. Two distinct proteinases were separated by chromatography on DEAE-cellulose, an elastase and a chymotrypsin-like enzyme designated cathepsin G. 6. Both enzymes were highly purified by further column chromatography. 7. The molecular weights of the enzymes were estimated by gel chromatography and sodium dodecyl sulphate-gel electrophoresis. 8. It was shown by isoelectric focusing and gel electrophoresis that both enzymes are cationic proteins that occur in multiple forms.     

Species variations amongst lysosomal cysteine proteinases

Properties of cathepsin L from rat liver lysosomes were compared with those of a similar enzyme, cathepsin S from beef spleen. Major characteristics of cathepsin L are the high activity against Z-Phe-Arg-methylcoumarylamide and sensitivity to the fast reacting irreversible inhibitor Z-Phe-Phe-diazomethane. In contrast, cathepsin S hydrolyzes Z-Phe-Arg-methylcoumarylamide only slowly and Z-Phe-Phe-diazomethane cannot be regarded as a potent inhibitor of this enzyme. The differences in the substrate specificity of cathepsin L from rat liver and cathepsin S from beef spleen are discussed in comparison with the substrate specificity of cathepsin B from rat and human liver and beef spleen.