Enzymatic properties of UFE, a novel marine fibrinolytic enzyme

A novel potent protease, Urechis unicinctus fibrinolytic enzyme (UFE), was firstly discovered.The enzymatic properties of UFE were further investigated.As a low molecular mass protein, UFE appeared to be very stable to heat and pH.When temperature was below 50℃, the remnant enzyme activity remained almost unchanged, but when temperature was raised to 60℃, the remnant enzyme activity began to decrease rapidly.UFE was quite stable in the range of pH value from 3 to 12, especially in slightly alkaline pH value.Mn²⁺, Cu²⁺ and Fe²⁺ ions were activators of UFE, while Fe³⁺ and Ag⁺ ions were inhibitors of UFE.Fe²⁺ ion along with Fe³⁺ ion might regulate UFE activity in vivo.The optimum pH and temperature of UFE were about 8 and 50℃, respectively.Other characteristics of this enzyme were also studied.Systematic research results are significant when UFE is applied for medical and industrial purposes.