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.