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Purification and Biochemical Characterization of a Novel Fibrinolytic Enzyme from Culture Supernatant of Coprinus comatus

Summary

Scientists discovered and purified a powerful enzyme from the medicinal mushroom Coprinus comatus that can dissolve blood clots and prevent dangerous blood vessel blockages. This enzyme works in two ways: it can directly break down clots and also activate the body’s natural clot-dissolving systems. The enzyme is much smaller and safer than current blood-thinning medications, making it a promising natural alternative for treating heart disease and stroke.

Background

Thromboembolic diseases pose significant health threats with increasing incidence and mortality. Fibrinolytic enzymes can dissolve fibrin clots and prevent thrombosis, but current clinical agents have drawbacks including short half-life, low specificity, high cost, and excessive bleeding risk. Edible mushrooms are rich sources of natural bioactive compounds including fibrinolytic enzymes.

Objective

To purify and characterize a novel fibrinolytic enzyme from liquid fermentation of Coprinus comatus and evaluate its anticoagulant and thrombolytic activities for potential therapeutic development.

Results

The enzyme was purified 241.02-fold with specific activity of 3619 U/mg and 10.02% yield. It showed optimal activity at 42°C and pH 7.6 with molecular weight of 19.5 kDa. The enzyme exhibited dual fibrinolytic effects as both plasmin-like protease and plasminogen activator, dissolved blood clots with >80% dissolution rate in 24 hours, and demonstrated significant anticoagulant properties by prolonging APTT, PT, and TT while reducing fibrinogen and prothrombin activity.

Conclusion

The novel fibrinolytic enzyme from Coprinus comatus demonstrates significant thrombolytic and anticoagulant properties with potential for development as a natural therapeutic agent for prevention and treatment of thrombotic diseases, offering advantages of lower immunogenicity due to its small molecular weight.
  • Published in:Foods,
  • Study Type:Experimental Research,
  • Source: PMC11083162, PMID: 38731663
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