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Microbial fibrinolytic enzymes: an overview of source, production, properties, and thrombolytic activity in vivo

Yong Peng1, Xiaojuan Yang, Yizheng Zhang

  • 1College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu, PR China.

Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology
|October 8, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Microbial fibrinolytic enzymes from Bacillus species show promise for treating thrombosis. These enzymes, found in fermented foods, offer a safer and more affordable alternative to conventional thrombolytic agents.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Microbiology
  • Cardiovascular Medicine

Background:

  • Fibrin accumulation in blood vessels causes thrombosis, a precursor to cardiovascular diseases like myocardial infarction.
  • Conventional thrombolytic agents are expensive and have adverse side effects, necessitating alternative therapies.
  • Microbial fibrinolytic enzymes, particularly from the genus Bacillus found in fermented foods, are emerging as promising candidates.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore microbial fibrinolytic enzymes as alternatives to traditional thrombolytic agents.
  • To investigate the potential of Bacillus-derived fibrinolytic enzymes for therapeutic applications.
  • To assess the feasibility of using these enzymes as functional food additives or drugs.

Main Methods:

  • Discovery and isolation of fibrinolytic enzymes from various microorganisms, with a focus on the genus Bacillus.
  • Characterization of the physiochemical properties of the identified fibrinolytic enzymes.
  • In vivo evaluation of the thrombolytic effectiveness of these microbial enzymes.

Main Results:

  • Fibrinolytic enzymes were successfully identified from microbial sources, notably within the Bacillus genus.
  • The physiochemical properties of these enzymes were elucidated.
  • Demonstrated in vivo efficacy of microbial fibrinolytic enzymes in thrombolysis.

Conclusions:

  • Microbial fibrinolytic enzymes, especially from food-grade sources like Bacillus, represent a viable alternative to current thrombolytic therapies.
  • These enzymes possess the potential for development into functional food additives and therapeutic drugs for thrombosis prevention and treatment.
  • Further research into these enzymes could lead to novel strategies for managing cardiovascular diseases.

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