Kapronczay Károly szerk.: Orvostörténeti közlemények 226-229. (Budapest, 1914)
TANULMÁNYOK - Elek Gábor: 2013-ban volt Bauer Ervin halálának 75. évfordulója
222 Comm, de Hist. Artis Med. 226-229 (2014) that enzymes are proteins was questioned (see first half of the 5th row in Table) and the prevailing idea was that enzyme catalysis is a phenomenon arising from physical adsorption on surfaces rather than from specific chemical combination {Keller 1921, 1921a). Enzymes were considered as artefacts arising from the transformation and decomposition of the single homogenous substance present in life. Since generations had been discussions about proteins between colloid chemists and earlier biochemists (Emil Fisher) without clear transition points. After 1930 however many proteins - among them enzymes - were crystallized and in water solution they proved to be homogenous (molecular) with well-defined molecular weight excluding the colloid (suspension) state. The decade lasting dispute - proteins were molecules or colloids - became strained (see László 1986 145-153.). Bauer severely criticized a representative {Martin Fischer) of the biological colloid theory too (see Bauer and Tschukitschewa 1929). His criticism however, did not deal with the most essential point of protein dispute - he never used biochemical ideas but remained at the physiological level. Because of this he was not able to draw the line between colloid chemistry and biochemistry. His critique was directed against the mechanical aspects of the cellular protoplasm as organ-colloid. Sometimes his irresistible logic connected the seemingly most remote experimental facts. By way of illustration he linked up the inactivation of complement with the decrease of the surface tension of the serum (Bauer 1923), According to Bauer both events are the consequences of the reduction of energetic non-equilibrium of vital processes. This example can be read even in TeopeTHuecicaa Bhojioi uh (Theoretical Biology) (Eaytp 2002 201-205.). In our time we know there is really a common factor in the background of two processes but it is the denaturalisation (of proteins). The macromolecules are loosing their secondary and tertiary structures and in this coil state their dipole moments become less. In Bauer’s time, however, not only the details of denaturalisation were unknown, but the effect of denaturising on surface tension was proved experimentally only in the thirties {Loughlin 1933). Although the impact of colloid chemistry concerning the protein structure was nothing, the physical chemistry, on which it had been based, continued to influence the development of the research on the structure of proteins and other macromolecules, on biological oxidations and on the enzyme actions. Theoretical elements of protein structure were elaborated merely in the thirties (Mirsky and Pauling 1936), and that of the enzyme actions in the late forties (Pauling and Delbrück 1940). It can be attributed to this delayed date that Bauer’s interpretation about enzymatic action remained incomplete (see second half of the 5th row in Table). As we know the general outcome of the colloid chemical - biochemical discussion was that colloid chemistry retarded the knowledge of the proteins. The elaboration of the modem concept of biochemistry was beginning. But biochemists on the whole vigorously rejected philosophizing of any sort (see Kohler 1975). Bauer’s German publication is connected with a closed chapter of biology. Its significance is far less than his activity in Russia (see 3omuu and3omma 1993 10-24., 4L). This is the other reason he has been forgotten in the western scientific literature. This might be the second part of the answer to the question raised in my introduction.
