LOCALIZATION OF LEUCINE AMINOPEPTIDASE IN SERUM AND BODY FLUIDS BY STARCH GEL ELECTROPHORESIS*

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Abstract
The electrophoretic mobility of leucine aminopeptidase (LAP) of normal serum, sera of patients with pancreatic and hepatobiliary disease, bile, pleural fluid and pancreatic extract was determined by starch gel electrophoresis. A single peak of LAP activity was found in normal serum identical with bile and pancreatic extract, migrating with the post-albumin fraction or in the fast gamma-2 and post-albumin areas. Two additional peaks of LAP activity were found in the sera of patients with parenchymal or metastatic liver disease and with common bile duct obstruction. With recovery from liver disease or relief of obstruction, these peaks disappear. The electrophoretic mobility of serum LAP in patients with carcinoma of the pancreas is normal, unless there is common duct obstruction or metastasis to the liver.