Effect of L-Asparaginase from Aspergillus terreus on Ascites Sarcoma in the Rat

IT is well known that L-asparaginase (L-asparagine amidohydrolase, EC 3.5.1.1) is the antitumour agent in guineapig serum1. The same antitumour activity has been demonstrated for the L-asparaginase from Escherichia coli2 and recently for that from Erwinia carotovora3. L-Asparaginase preparations from other bacteria2,4 or yeast5 have no inhibitory action. After screening a number of microorganisms, a strain of Aspergillus terreus which produces an L-asparaginase active against Walker 256 ascites carcinosarcoma6 has now been isolated.