Studies on enzyme action. XXII.--Lipase (IV)-The correlation of synthetic and hydrolytic activity

In the previous communication on this subject, in which the behaviour of Lipase towards ethereal salts generally was discussed, it has been argued that the enzyme is specially fitted to determine the hydrolysis of the insoluble, oily, glyceric salts of the higher fatty acids but is not suited to act in aqueous solution : we expressed the opinion that interaction must be supposed to take place at between surfaces separated only by a thin film of water at most-in other words, that water in excess is inimical to the occurrence of change. The results we advanced, in conjunction with those deduced from the study of other enzymes, notably urease, also led us to conclude that it is impossible to apply the laws of mass action directly to the interpretation of the causes effected by Lipase. Previously we have directed our attention only to the hydrolytic activity of the enzyme : numerous observation are on record which prove that, whether of animal or vegetable origin, it can act reversibly but no comparative study of the two processes has been made hitherto in the case of facts.