title: Functional characterization of fibrinolytic metalloproteinases (colombienases) isolated from Bothrops colombiensis venom.
abstract: Researchers trying to improve the safety and efficacy of fibrinolytic therapy have been isolating fibrinolytic enzymes from snake venoms. Two fibrinolytic enzymes, colombienases 1 and 2, with significant activity have been isolated from the venom of Bothrops colombiensis.
  
  
  METHODS
  The colombienases were characterized for various biological activities which include hemorrhagic, fibrinogenolytic, proteolytic, hemolytic, edematogenic and cytotoxic.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Colombienases directly acted on fibrin by degrading fibrinogen Aα and Bβ chains without activating the fibrinolytic system (plasminogen/plasmin), additionally colombienase-2 degraded fibrinogen γ chains as well as the fibronectin molecule. Laminin and type IV collagen were colombienases resistant. Gelatin-zymogram activity was present in B. colombiensis venom (BcV) bands between 64 and 148 kDa. All activities were abolished by metalloproteinases inhibitors. Both enzymes lacked hemorrhagic, hemolytic, cytotoxic, plasminogen activator and coagulant activities.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Both colombienases had direct fibrino(geno)lytic activity without other toxic side effects including in vivo hemorrhaging, which could be promising in terms of therapeutic potential as thrombolytic agents.
authors: Laboratorio de Inmunoquímica y Ultraestructura, Instituto Anatómico de la Universidad Central de Venezuela, Caracas, Venezuela.
authors: María E
authors: ME
authors: Girón
authors: Belsy
authors: B
authors: Guerrero
authors: Ana María
authors: AM
authors: Salazar
authors: Elda E
authors: EE
authors: Sánchez
authors: Marco
authors: M
authors: Alvarez
authors: Alexis
authors: A
authors: Rodríguez-Acosta
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017837:Bothrops; D002642:Chick Embryo; D024141:Collagen Type IV / Q000378:metabolism; D003435:Crotalid Venoms / Q000201:enzymology*; D004591:Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; D005337:Fibrin / Q000378:metabolism; D005340:Fibrinogen / Q000378:metabolism; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005353:Fibronectins / Q000378:metabolism; D007797:Laminin / Q000378:metabolism; D007928:Lethal Dose 50; D008297:Male; D045726:Metalloproteases / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051379:Mice; D010958:Plasminogen / Q000378:metabolism; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D024141:Collagen Type IV; D003435:Crotalid Venoms; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents; D005353:Fibronectins; D007797:Laminin; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors; C464794:fibrinogen Aalpha; C027539:fibrinopeptides gamma; D005337:Fibrin; D005340:Fibrinogen; D010958:Plasminogen; D045726:Metalloproteases
keywords: Bothrops colombiensis; Colombienases; Fibrinolytic; Hanging drop cardiac myoblast; Metalloproteinases