Entrapment of Non-proteolytic Enzymes inside Human α₂-Macroglobulin Molecule

Abstract

The entrapment of non-proteolytic enzymes inside human plasma α₂-macroglobulin (α₂M) was attempted using Serratia superoxide dismutase (SOD) and horseradish peroxidase (HRP). HRP was easily entrapped within α₂M in the presence of Serratia protease (TSP), but SOD was not under the same conditions. SOD was enclosed in α₂M molecule by conjugation with TSP. The antigenicities of these enzymes were completely masked with α₂M, but both enzyme-α₂M complexes had the enzyme activities.