Fibrinolytic and anticoagulative activities from the earthworm Eisenia foetida

Biologically active glycolipoprotein complex (G-90) isolated from whole earthworm tissue extract shows anticoagulative and fibrinolytic activities. 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 fibrinolytic and anticoagulative activities. The activity of P I is much higher. P I in concentration of 10(5) ng ml(-1) of plasma shortened the physiological 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.