DSPA-ALPHA - PROPERTIES OF THE PLASMINOGEN ACTIVATORS OF THE VAMPIRE BAT DESMODUS-ROTUNDUS

The saliva of the vampire bat Desmodus rotundus contains a family of p otent plasminogen activators, which were named DSPAs after their origi nal source (Desmodus salivary plasminogen activators), The DSPAs share a high structural homology with t-PA, Four different variants of DSPA have been discovered, called DSPA alpha(1), alpha(2), beta and gamma, out of which, for its unique thrombolytic properties, DSPA alpha(1) h as been selected for further development, It has a high potential to d evelop into a third generation thrombolytic drug. DSPA alpha(1) is a p rotein with high thrombolytic potency and efficacy, Unlike all other p lasminogen activators currently in use, it is almost completely fibrin specific, Furthermore, its prolonged half-life seems to warrant singl e bolus administration, Above all, recanalization with DSPA alpha(1) s eems to occur more rapidly and more completely and, unlike with other plasminogen activators, is sustained over prolonged time periods, Desp ite being a non human protein its antigenicity is low and only repeate d administrations of the substance in short time intervals may non con sistently produce low titers of nan neutralizing antibodies, The favor able thrombolytic profile of DSPA alpha(1) warrants studying in future thrombolytic trials.