Immunochemical Studies and Assay of Catalase

Determinations of the level of an enzyme in biological material have been based for the most part on activity measurements.In quantitative work these have been referred to the activity of the purified enzyme.Since many factors may affect enzymatic catalysis in crude systems, a more direct method of estimation is needed.The quantitative immunochemical approach immediately suggests itself with respect to enzymes that are available in a high degree of purity.In a preliminary approach to this general problem crystalline catalase was utilized.Some of the reactions of this enzyme with rabbit antiserum have indicated the feasibility of this type of enzyme assay and thrown further light on the question of enzyme inhibition by antibody and the solubility of the antigen-antibody complex.EXPERIMENTAL