The metabolic interrelationship and physicochemical analysis of C-reactive protein and hepatic catalase.

Although no enzymatic function has been attributed to CRP, a recent study by Hokama et a!. (10) demonstrated the occur rence of common antigenic components in purified prepara tions of CR2 and human liver and erythrocyte catalases. Since antigenic similarities exist between CRP and catalases, the logical contention would be to assess concurrently the relationship of CR2 and liver catalase in animals under experi mentally controlled conditions. The data to be presented, in essence, are the results of such examinations. The data show the interrelationship between CxRP and liver catalase activity in rabbits and mice following administration of a catalase in hibitor (AT) and nonspecific inflammatory agents. Additionally, immunologic, electrophoretic, and tryptic pep tide maps of CR2 and liver catalase are presented to indicate their remarkable similarities.