Summary
A protease extract from Antarctic krill (E. superba) intended as a new enzymatic debrider for necrotic ulcers has been characterized by sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gradient gel electrophoresis and fast protein liquid chromatography. The predominant enzymes in the preparation represent trypsin-like activity associated with three serine proteinases. In addition two carboxypeptidases A and B are present as cooperative enzymes for a more complete breakdown of complex proteinaceous substrates. Biological studies on a well-defined substrate (fibrin) originating from leg ulcers, demonstrated more effective degradation by krill enzymes than bovine trypsin, a common component in marketed enzymatic debriders. These findings support previously in vitro/in vivo studies in an animal model (rat) using excised rat skin as “necrotic” tissue.
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Abbreviations
- TAME:
-
p-toluene-sulfonyl-l-arginine methyl ester; hipp-l-phe hippuryl-l-phenylalanine; hipp-l-arg, hippuryl-l-arginine
- Cpase:
-
carboxypeptidase
- SDS:
-
sodium dodecyl sulphate
References
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Anheller, J.E., Hellgren, L., Karlstam, B. et al. Biochemical and biological profile of a new enzyme preparation from antarctic krill (E. superba) suitable for debridement of ulcerative lesions. Arch Dermatol Res 281, 105–110 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00426587
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00426587