heparinase I

Heparinase I from Flavobacterium heparinum has been used:

• in the digestion of plasma samples
• to study the effect of medium, washing and sonication on the infectivity of Chlamydia pneumonia
• in enzymatic removal of heparan sulfate from the surface of human rhabdomyosarcoma cells

Heparinase I from Flavobacterium heparinum acts by cleaving the α-glycoside linkage at AT III binding site in heparin. This results in small oligosaccharide fragments and heparinase I neutralizes the protein′s action of anticoagulation. Therefore it might replace the use of protamine in reversing heparin induced anticoagulation after coronary artery bypass surgery. Heparinase I possesses a half-life of 15-18 minutes.