Purification and partial characterization of proteinase activity in eggs of Dicrocoelium dendriticum

Abstract

A preliminary purification has been carried out by continuous elution electrophoresis of a 49.5 kDa protease of crude extracts fromDicrocoelium dendriticumeggs. The enzyme showed a high capacity to degrade the collagen derivative azocoll at acidic pH. Although it is necessary to carry out further experiments to confirm any physiological role, this protease could be implicated in penetration mechanisms.