The effect of proteolytic enzymes and hyaluronidase on the intracellular β‐ and γ‐metachromatic granules and the matrix of rat epiphyseal cartilage

The effects of trypsin, chymotrypsin, papain, pronase, cartilage protease and hyaluronidase on the staining of fresh epiphyseal cartilage in 0.01% toluidine blue at pH 4 was studied. Treatment with these enzymes resulted in a loss of the β‐ and γ‐metachromatic granules in the cells, and an intensification of the staining in the matrix of the lower hypertrophic zone. Treatment with collagenase also resulted in a loss of the β‐ and γ‐metachromatic granules, but did not appreciably intensify the staining of the matrix. Carboxypeptidase A, ribonuclease and bovine serum albumin, globulins, and globin had little or no effect.