Bothrojaracin, a Bothrops jararaca snake venom-derived (pro)thrombin inhibitor, as an anti-thrombotic molecule

Pathophysiol Haemost Thromb. 2005;34(4-5):160-3. doi: 10.1159/000092416.

Abstract

Bothrojaracin (BJC) is a selective and potent thrombin inhibitor (KD = 0.6 nM) which also binds to prothrombin on proexosite I (KD = 175 nM). Incubation of BJC with human or rat plasma produced a band that co-migrates with purified prothrombin-BJC complex. We further analyzed the in vivo anti-thrombotic effect of BJC on a venous thrombosis model in rats that combines stasis and hypercoagulability. The administration of 1 mg/kg (i.v.) doses of BJC decreased thrombus weight by approximately 95%. Evaluation of the in vivo effect of BJC in mice using a pulmonary thromboembolism model induced by thrombin showed that BJC protects 100% of mice from death. Altogether, our data show that BJC is a potent anti-thrombotic agent that could further help the development of new prothrombin-directed drugs.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Crotalid Venoms / therapeutic use*
  • Humans
  • Murinae
  • Snake Venoms / therapeutic use
  • Thrombin / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Venous Thrombosis / drug therapy

Substances

  • Crotalid Venoms
  • Snake Venoms
  • bothrojaracin
  • Thrombin