Earthworm fibrinolytic enzyme

Jing Zhao*, Shu Ping Qi, Jane Wu, Li Li, Rong Qiao He

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

10 Scopus citations

Abstract

A group of fibrinolytic enzymes, secreted by the alimentary tract of earthworm such as Lumbricus rubellus and Eisenia fetida, are called earthworm fibrinolytic enzymes (EFEs). They are in characteristics of alkaline trypsin-, chymotrypsin- and elastinase-like serine proteases. These enzymes, having relatively broad substrate specificity, degrade fibrinogen and fibrin directly, and also activate plasminogen (PLg). Their activities can be measured based on the amidolytic activity for several chromogenic substrates, fibrin plate and light scattering of the fibrin turbidity. EFEs have been made as an orally administered fibrinolytic agent. Their current clinical utilizations and some potential new applications will be discussed.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)825-847
Number of pages23
JournalStudies in Natural Products Chemistry
Volume30
Issue numberC
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 1 2005

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Drug Discovery
  • Organic Chemistry

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Earthworm fibrinolytic enzyme'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this