Clot dissolvers are enzymes capable of dissolving blood clots that form during heart attacks and strokes. Despite their initial promise as therapeutic agents for these diseases, first generation drugs have shown modest benefits. Our laboratory previously engineered the DNA encoding [of] a second-generation drug comprised of the B-chain of urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA) (a clot dissolver) coupled to factor XI (a targeting component). The purpose of this MQP was to produce this drug in mammalian cells, and to determine if it was active. Using a spectrozyme assay, we show that the catalytic domain of uPA retains activity for its substrate, and is inhibited by known uPA inhibitors.

• This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its website without editorial or peer review.

Creator

• Seigars, Carrie Lynn

Publisher

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Identifier

• 99D081M

Advisor

• Adams, David S.

Year

• 1999

Date created

• 1999-01-01

Resource type

• Major Qualifying Project

Major

• Biology & Biotechnology

Rights statement

• In Copyright