INHIBITION OF TRYPSINOGEN ACTIVATION BY LOW CONCENTRATIONS OF UREA

Urea, at concentrations well below those generally associated with the denaturation of proteins and specifically below concentrations known to interfere with tryptic activity, markedly inhibits the activation of trypsinogen by trypsin. The inhibitory effect of urea is directly associated with a retardation of the peptide bond cleavage Lys6-Ile7. While a definite conclusion regarding the mechanism cannot be drawn, the data favor the interpretation that the effect of urea is directed toward the zymogen substrate (trypsinogen) rather than toward the activating enzyme (trypsin). © 1969.