Succinyl trialanine p-nitroanilide hydrolytic activity in blood vessels of the rat

Succinyl trialanine p-nitroanilide [Suc-(Ala)3-pNA] hydrolytic activity, an enzymatic activity related to elastase, in vascular wall was detected and partially characterized. Subcellular distribution of this activity closely paralleled that of plasma membrane marker enzymes, 5'-nucleotidase, and phosphodiesterase I, suggesting its association with the vascular muscle plasma membranes. The same distribution of elastolytic activity was observed. …