1. Isolation, purification and functional characterization of fibrinolytic Protease from an Earthworm Eisenia foetida

Abstract

Thrombosis (development of clots in blood vessels) may cause vascular blockade culminating into serious consequences broadly known as cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). CVDs are causing more than 31% of total deaths globally. ‘Thrombolysis’ is the term used for dissolution of such blood clots. Numerous protein molecules called thrombolytics mediate the process of thrombolysis. Such thrombolytics are not only expensive but also cause non-specific fibrinolysis as the main side-effect, instigating excessive internal bleeding (haemorrhage) and substantial blood loss ultimately leading to death. On the other hand, lumbrokinase (LK), an earthworm-derived fibrinolytic agent being very specific, dissolves fibrin itself or convert plasminogen to plasmin by inducing endogenous tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) to degrade fibrin clots without any ill-effects. In present study we describe the isolation of a fibrinolytic protease namely Lumbrokinase from indigenous earthworm Eisenia foetida. Protein precipitation was carried out by using various concentrations of (NH₄)₂SO₄, desalted and concentrated by dialysis and purified by gel filtration chromatography. Furthermore, its kinetic characterization and in vitro estimation of caseinolytic activity was carried out. Characterization of earthworm-derived fibrinolytic enzyme reveals that it can serve as an ideal therapeutic molecule for oral delivery in CVD patients.

Keywords: Fibrinolysis; Lumbrokinase; Earthworm; Purification; Enzyme activity

http://dx.doi.org/10.19045/bspab.2018.700110