Micromycetes from the genus Aspergillus as perspective producers of proteases effecting on human haemostasis proteins

Extracellular proteolytic enzymes of micromycetes belonging to Aspergillus genus have the ability to affect haemostasis proteins as activators (starting procoagulant and anticoagulant processes) or direct fibrinolytics (breaking down clots that had already formed). It was first shown that proteases of some strains are capable to affect proteins of human haemostasis proteins, such as protein C (A. ochraceus L-1, A. flavipes A17), factor X (A. ochraceus L-1, A. flavipes A17), prekallikrein (A. terreus 2). Also new producers of fibrinolytic (A. ochraceus L-1, A. oryzae k1, A. versicolor 1, A. ustus 1, A. fumigatus D1, and A. sydowii 1) and fibrinogenolytic (A. ochraceus L-1) enzymes were founded. Thus, aspergilli produce proteases capable to promote proteolysis of haemostasis proteins or, along with hydrolytic activity, to show the ability to activate proenzymes of haemostasis system transforming them into active forms. It also has been shown that proteases from A. ochraceus have properties similar to properties of activating proteases obtained from venom of the South American copperhead and used in protein C diagnostics. Specific activity of Aspergillus proteinases towards the human haemostasis proteins allows us to consider them perspective substitutes of components in corresponding diagnostic kits and therapeutic substances in prevention and cure thromboembolic diseases.