A novel fibrinolytic enzyme from Cordyceps militaris, a Chinese traditional medicinal mushroom

作者:Cui Li; Dong Ming Sheng*; Chen Xiao Hong; Jiang Mei; Lv Xin; Yan Guijun
来源:WORLD JOURNAL OF MICROBIOLOGY & BIOTECHNOLOGY, 2008, 24(4): 483-489.
DOI:10.1007/s11274-007-9497-1

摘要

A novel fibrinolytic enzyme from Cordyceps militaris was purified and partially characterized for the first time, which was designated C militaris fibrinolytic enzyme (CMase). This extracellular enzyme from C. militaris was isolated by ammonium sulphate fraction, and purified to electrophoretic homogeneity using gel filtration chromatography. The apparent molecular mass of the purified enzyme was estimated to be 27.3 kDa by SDS-PAGE. The optimum pH and temperature for the enzyme activity were pH 6.0 and 25 degrees C, respectively. In the presence of metal ions such as Mg2+ and Fe2+ ions the activity of the enzyme increased, whereas EDTA and Cu2+ ion inhibited the enzyme activity. Interestingly the N-terminal amino acid sequences of the enzyme is extremely similar to those of the trypsin proteinases from insects, and has no significant homology with those of the fibrinolytic enzyme from other medicinal mushroom. In conclusion, C militaris produces a strong fibrinolytic enzyme CMase and may be considered as a new source for thrombolytic agents.