Clinical Chemistry 1989-01-01

Streptokinase binds to lactate dehydrogenase subunit-M, which shares an epitope with plasminogen.

S J Podlasek, R A McPherson

Index: Clin. Chem. 35(1) , 69-73, (1989)

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Abstract

The bacterial thrombolytic agent streptokinase binds to human, porcine, and chicken lactate dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.27; LD) isoenzyme subunit M, but not to the H or C subunits. There is amino acid sequence homology between LD and the streptokinase binding site on plasminogen to account for this interaction that results in the formation of high-molecular-mass complexes in serum that contain LD activity. Binding of highly immunogenic streptokinase with LD may lead to induction of anti-LD autoantibodies, known to occur in some patients after therapeutic administration of streptokinase for treatment of acute myocardial infarction. This interaction may also be a general mechanism for inducing autoimmunity against other proteins that share the streptokinase binding epitope.