Proteolytic enzyme from blood-sucking nematodes and its uses as an anticoagulant as a vaccine and as an antithelminic agent
AssigneeThe Rockefeller University
InventorsAnthony Cerami, Peter Hotez
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Abstract
This invention relates to proteolytic enzymes with elastolytic properties from blood-sucking nematodes (hereinafter called HP enzymes). These enzymes are useful an anti-coagulants and as a means for dissolving fibrin clots. Because of their importance in the mechanism by which blood-sucking nematodes obtain nutrients from the host, HP enzymes would be an effective vaccine for prevention and treatment of these parasites. For the same reason, substances which inhibit HP enzymes would also be effective antithelminic agents.
Claims5
Purified helminthic proteolytic enzymes having molecular weight of about 37,000 daltons as determined by electrophoretic separation and isolated from Ancylostoma caninum hookworm and having optimum activity at a basic pH.
Purified helminthic proteolytic enzymes having molecular weight of about 37,000 daltons as determined by electrophoretic separation and isolated from Ancylostoma caninum hookworm and having optimum activity at a basic pH isolated from Ancylostoma caninum hookworm by the method comprising mechanically mincing a quantity of said hookworms to make a homogenate and thereafter separating said enzymes from said homogenate by means of gel electrophoresis or column chromatography.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.