Vol 50, No 3 (2012)
Original paper
Published online: 2012-10-08
Effect of heavy metal cations on the activity of cathepsin D (in vitro study)
DOI: 10.5603/FHC.2012.0059
Folia Histochem Cytobiol 2012;50(3):432-435.
Abstract
We studied the effect of heavy metal cations: Fe 2+, Cu2+, Zn2+, Cd2+, Hg2+, Pb2+ on the activity of
cathepsin D in human aorta homogenate and blood serum. The concentration of cations was 1 mmol/l. Hemoglobin
was the cathepsin D substrate. The activity of cathepsin D was determined at pH 3.5. Only Hg2+ cations
inhibit the activity of cathepsin D. Cations Hg2+ damage lysosomes and release cathepsin D from these organelles.
cathepsin D in human aorta homogenate and blood serum. The concentration of cations was 1 mmol/l. Hemoglobin
was the cathepsin D substrate. The activity of cathepsin D was determined at pH 3.5. Only Hg2+ cations
inhibit the activity of cathepsin D. Cations Hg2+ damage lysosomes and release cathepsin D from these organelles.
