An enzyme in pigeon droppings, of possible relevance to pigeon breeder's disease

Abstract

Pigeon droppings are known to constitute a highly potent source of antigens involved in the interstitial pulmonary disease known as `pigeon breeder's lung'. Among the heterogeneous mixture of components in extracts of the droppings, a powerful enzyme was encountered which exhibits hydrolytic activity on proteins and synthetic ester substrates. Some characteristics of the enzyme in crude extracts have been established. Preliminary results indicate that human blood serum contains no inhibitors for the enzyme.