INTESTINAL NUCLEOTIDASE

Abstract

The necessity of using enzymatic hydrolysis of the nucleic acids for the study of their structure has long been realized and earlier work towards this end led to the discovery of enzymes' capable of splitting nucleic acid to nucleotides, to nucleosides, or to phosphosugars.In recent years2 these enzymes have been the object of eonsiderable attention, particularly those classed as nucleotidases (phosphatases) which bring about the cleavage of phosphoric acid from the molecules.This paper deals with this latter type of enzymes which occur in the intestinal secretions.Nucleotidases are widely distributed in the animal body.However, they are accompanied by other enzymes of which the nucleosidases are the most disturbing inasmuch as such preparations carry the hydrolysis beyond the phase of nucleosides.Fortunately, the intestinal secretion is free of nucleosidases.By virtue of this