Summary
An improved method for the purification of high molecular weight urokinase to homogeneity
from human urine was established. A yield of 32% with a 3,100-fold purification was
obtained by Hyflo Super-Cel treatment, heat treatment at 60° C for 10 hr, serial column
chromatography on DEAE-Sepharose CL-6B and 0-[3-(p-sulfophenylamino)-2-hydroxypropyl]-cellulose
(SFOP-cellulose), and gel filtration on Ultrogel AcA 54. The low molecular weight
form of urokinase was also purified to homogeneity by chromatography on hydroxyl apatite
and gel filtration on Sephadex G-75 after the SFOP-cellulose column step. The high
molecular weight urokinase had only one isoelectric form with a pi of 9.7, whereas
the low molecular weight form had six isoelectric subforms with pi values between
9.4 and 6.4. The absorption coefficients at 280 nm of both urokinase forms were 13.61
and 13.50, respectively. Fibrinolytic and esterolytic activities of the two urokinase
forms were compared in various assay methods.
Keywords
Purification - High and low molecular weight urokinase - Fibrinolysis - Fibrin-tube
method - Fibrin-plate method - Two - stage lysis time method - terolytic activity