title: Fibrin(ogen)olytic enzymes in scorpion (Tityus discrepans) venom.
abstract: Several fibrin(ogen)olytic enzymes from Tityus discrepans (Buthidae, Buthoidea) venom (TdV) were partially purified on a Sephadex G-50 column, by affinity and molecular exclusion high-performance chromatography. Fractions SB1-I and SB1-II had fibrinolytic, fibrinogenolytic (Aα-chains degradation) and tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA)-like activities. SB1-III was only fibrinogenolytic (fast degradation of Aα-chains and slower degradation of fibrinogen Bβ-chains). These results showed the presence of α-fibrinogenases in TdV. The fibrino(geno)lytic activity in these fractions was abolished by metalloprotease inhibitors (MPI). Fractions SB3-I and SB3-II contain fibrinogenolytic (Aα-chains degradation) and fibronectinolytic activities. Also fraction SB3-I had a t-PA-like activity. Activities in SB3-I and SB3-II were abolished by serine protease inhibitors (SPI). None of the fractions degraded fibrinogen γ-chains. Fibrinogen degradation by active fractions is associated with an anticoagulant effect supported by a reduced coagulant activity. The overall outcome suggests that metalloproteases and serine proteases in TdV are responsible for fibrin(ogen)olytic activity because MPI and SPI inhibited these activities.
authors.affiliation: Laboratorio de Neurofarmacología Celular, Centro de Biofísica y Bioquímica, Instituto Venezolano de Investigaciones Científicas (IVIC), Apartado 20632, Caracas, 1020-A, Venezuela. Electronic address: jbrazon@ivic.gob.ve.
authors.forename: Josmary
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Brazón
authors.affiliation: Laboratorio de Fisiopatología, Centro de Medicina Experimental, Instituto Venezolano de Investigaciones Científicas (IVIC), Apartado 20632, Caracas, 1020-A, Venezuela.
authors.forename: Belsy
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Guerrero
authors.affiliation: Laboratorio de Neurofarmacología Celular, Centro de Biofísica y Bioquímica, Instituto Venezolano de Investigaciones Científicas (IVIC), Apartado 20632, Caracas, 1020-A, Venezuela.
authors.forename: Gina
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: D'Suze
authors.affiliation: Laboratorio de Neurofarmacología Celular, Centro de Biofísica y Bioquímica, Instituto Venezolano de Investigaciones Científicas (IVIC), Apartado 20632, Caracas, 1020-A, Venezuela.
authors.forename: Carlos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Sevcik
authors.affiliation: Laboratorio de Fisiopatología, Centro de Medicina Experimental, Instituto Venezolano de Investigaciones Científicas (IVIC), Apartado 20632, Caracas, 1020-A, Venezuela.
authors.forename: Carmen L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Arocha-Piñango
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005337:Fibrin / Q000378:metabolism*; D045726:Metalloproteases / Q000378:metabolism; D012604:Scorpion Venoms / Q000201:enzymology*; D012605:Scorpions / Q000201:enzymology*; D057057:Serine Proteases / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D012604:Scorpion Venoms; D005337:Fibrin; D045726:Metalloproteases; D057057:Serine Proteases
keywords: Fibrino(geno)lytic activity; Fibrinogen; Scorpion venom; Tityus discrepans; α-Fibrinogenases