Proteinase and gelatinolytic properties of a bat feces extract.

It was previously demonstrated that a bat feces extract (BAT) was able to produce a specific IgG in animals, a specific IgE in respiratory atopic humans and a hypersensitivity pneumonitis in guinea pigs. As numerous allergens (such as house-dust mite, cockroaches and pollens) revealed a enzymatic activity measured by different assays we decided to study the proteinase and the gelatinolytic activities of the BAT. Several protease inhibitors such as E-64, TLCK, TPCK, PMSF, leupeptin, o-phenantroline and pepstatin-A were applied to establish the chemical properties of the enzymatic activity. These assays revealed a serine-trypsin-like proteolytic and gelatinolytic activities specially at pH 8,5. On the other hand, two bands of 21 and 40 kDa reacted with the human atopic sera suggesting a possible correlation between allergenicity and proteinase activity. Their role in the etiology of perennial rhinitis and asthma requires further investigations.