Pleiotropic effects of a vibrio extracellular protease on the activation of contact system

Many proteases secreted by pathogenic bacteria can affect seriously on hemostatic system. We have reported that an extracellular zinc metalloprotease (named vEP-45) from Vibrio vulnificus ATCC29307 activates prothrombin to active thrombin, leading the formation of fibrin clot. In this study, the effects of vEP-45 on the intrinsic pathway of coagulation and the kallikrein/kinin system were examined. The protease could activate proteolytically clotting factor zymogens, including FXII, FXI, FX, and prothrombin, to their functional enzymes in vitro and plasma milieu. In addition, it could cleave plasma prekallikrein (PPK) to form an active kallikrein as well as actively digest high-molecular weight kininogen (HK), probably producing bradykinin. In fact, vEP-45 could induce a vascular permeability in a dose-dependent manner in vivo. Taken together, the results demonstrate that vEP-45 can activate plasma contact system by cleaving key zymogen molecules, participating in the intrinsic pathway of coagulation and the kallikrein/kinin system.