Immunochemical study of beta-glucuronidase inhibitor from porcine sublingual gland. Interaction of beta-glucuronidase inhibitor with alpha2-macroglobulin.

Antiserum to the inhibitor of beta=glucuronidase isolated from porcine sublingual gland was prepared in rabbits. Double immunodiffusion with the inhibitor produced a single precipitin line. However, neutralization of the inhibitor was produced by the antiserum and also by normal serum. Anti-beta-glucuronidase inhibitor isolated from human serum, by fractionation with (NH4)2 SO4 followed by DEAE-cellulose, Sephadex G-200 and Sepharose 4B chromatography, was identified as alpha2-macroglobulin by using ultracentrifuge analysis and immunoelectrophoresis. The mechanism of interaction of beta-glucuronidase inhibitor with alpha2-macroglobulin was also studied.