FIBRINOLYTIC AND ANTICOAGULATIVE ACTIVITIES FROM THE EARTHWORM EISENIA-FOETIDA

Biologically active glycolipoprotein complex (G-90) isolated from whol e earthworm tissue extract shows anticoagulative and fibrinolytic acti vities. We isolated two tyrosine like serine peptidases with molecular masses of 34 kDa (P I) and 23 kDa (P II), respectively. P I peptidase is autocatalytically degraded to P II. Both peptidases exhibit fibrin olytic and anticoagulative activities. The activity of P I is much hig her. P I in concentration of 10(5) ng ml(-1) of plasma shortened the p hysiological time of fibrin clot lysis by 54% and completely inhibited blood clotting at a concentration of 10(3) ng ml(-1) of venous blood. (C) 1998 Published by Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.