Effect of Proteinase from Aspergillus fumigatus on Blood Plasma Proteins

Extracellular proteinase of the opportunistic Aspergillus fumigatus D-1 strain (molecular weight ~33 kDa, pI 4.6) was isolated. It was shown that proteinase hydrolyzes casein, fibrin, fibrinogen, albumin, and hemoglobin to varying degrees. However, proteolytic activity with respect to globular proteins of blood plasma was comparable to fibrinolytic activity. Proteinase did not coagulate human fibrinogen and bovine fibrinogen; it also did not coagulate human and rabbit blood plasma without dilution and when diluted twice. The plasminogen-activating activity of A. fumigatus D-1 extracellular proteinase was found, which may indicate its ability to indirect fibrinolysis.