Genetic Diversity and Biochemical Activities of Indigenous Fibrinolytic Enzyme-Producing Strains for Novel Therapeutic Applications in Thrombosis Management

Abstract

Thrombosis, as one of the most significant cardiovascular disorders, causes millions of deaths annually worldwide, and the development of novel therapeutic strategies based on fibrinolytic enzymes has special importance. Recent studies have demonstrated that indigenous microbial strains, particularly soil-dwelling and fermented food bacteria, possess a high capacity for producing fibrinolytic enzymes, which can serve as safer and more cost-effective alternatives to synthetic drugs such as streptokinase and urokinase. The aim of this study was to investigate the genetic diversity and biochemical activities of selected indigenous strains from biological resources in Iran and to analyze their potential for application in thrombosis management. The study methods included the isolation of indigenous strains from soil and fermented food sources, extraction of genomic DNA, and determination of genetic patterns using molecular markers (ITS, 16S rRNA, and RAPD-PCR). In addition, fibrinolytic activity of the strains was evaluated using collagenase and zymography assays. The data revealed considerable genetic diversity among the strains, with some exhibiting enzymatic activities comparable to or even higher than reference strains. Biochemical results indicated significant differences in enzyme production levels and enzyme stability under various pH and temperature conditions. Some strains were able to maintain stable activity at neutral pH and at a temperature of 37 °C, which is of great clinical importance. Comparison of biochemical data with genetic information showed that specific genetic clusters were directly associated with the highest fibrinolytic capacities. This study demonstrates that indigenous strains possess remarkable genetic diversity and biochemical potential for the development of anti-thrombosis bioproducts. The utilization of these strains can pave the way for the production of novel biopharmaceuticals with lower cost, higher efficacy, and fewer side effects. In the future, the advancement of clinical studies and drug formulations based on these strains could play a crucial role in improving thrombosis management and reducing the economic and social burden of cardiovascular diseases.