Antiplatelet and fibrinogenolytic activities of a purified mucus protein from Eudrilus eugeniae (African night crawler)

Proteins from the earthworm mucus have been revealed for their various biological activities. In this study, a 38-kDa protein, earthworm antiplatelet agent (EAPA) was purified from the earthworm Eudrilus eugeniae (African night crawler) mucus and examined for its antiplatelet and fibrinogenolytic activities. EAPA was found to possess fibrinogenolytic activity on alpha- and beta-chains of fibrinogen. It inhibited ADP-, collagen-, and ristocetin-induced platelet aggregation. This protein also had antiplatelet function on clot retraction, which was evaluated by a Sonoclot Analyser. N-terminal amino acid sequences of EAPA shared 65% identity with lysenin, an earthworm haemolytic protein. EAPA may have potential in the development of therapeutic tools in the treatment of thrombotic diseases.