Abstract
Urokinase, a plasminogen activator, was conjugated with dextran by the cyanogen bromide activation-coupling method. The resulting water-soluble conjugate was purified by gel permeation chromatography on Sephadex G-200. The maximal activity was obtained when the ratio of urokinase/dextran was 1/20 for the coupling. The final preparation showed 5 CTA units/mg conjugate, 300 CTA units/mg protein, 8.4 % activity retention, and 47 % protein retention. The urokinase-dextran conjugate had good thermal, pH and storage stabilities. In addition, it showed greater resistance to the inhibitory effect of human plasma than native urokinase. Also in vitro biological half-life of urokinase increased 40 times by this conjugation. In view of activity, excellent stability and increased half-life, the conjugate can be a potential fibrinolytic agent in an injectable form.
