Degradation of Aα and Bβ chains from bovine fibrinogen by serine proteases of the Amazonian scorpion Brotheas amazonicus

Background Proteolytic enzymes within venoms from different scorpion species belong to serine and metalloproteases class, and some isoforms of these enzymes show proteolytic activity over Aa and Bb subunits of fibrinogen [1-3]. Brotheas amazonicus is a non-lethal amazonian scorpion, belonging to a different group from Tityus genus, and there are scarce studies about its venom in literature [4]. Enzymes acting over fibrinogen can lead to the creation of more efficient antithrombotic drugs, and the low lethality of B. amazonicus venom is a potencial factor for developing a better drug.