Nattokinase: Structure, applications and sources

• Published in: Biocatalysis and agricultural biotechnology 2023-01, Vol.47, p.102564, Article 102564
• Main Authors: Jamali, Navid, Vahedi, Farzaneh, Soltani Fard, Elahe, Taheri-Anganeh, Mortaza, Taghvimi, Sina, Khatami, Seyyed Hossein, Ghasemi, Hassan, Movahedpour, Ahmad
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biotechnology; Enzyme; Nattokinase; Recombinant protein
• ISSN: 1878-8181; 1878-8181
• DOI: 10.1016/j.bcab.2022.102564

Nattokinase (NK) as a serine protease enzyme has a strong fibrinolytic activity that is found in bacteria. In comparison to other fibrinolytic enzymes (plasmin, urokinase, and t-PA), NK has the advantages of a long lifespan, low cost, and no side effects. As a food supplement, it could be utilized as a substance to treat cardiovascular disease. As a result, NK has high commercial value and therapeutic applications. The current study provides a brief description of the properties of this important enzyme. Also, some of the most notable applications of NK are discussed. Eventually, different microbial, plant and animal sources of this enzyme are summarized in the last part. •Nattokinase (NK) which is called subtilisin NAT is a valuable fibrinolytic enzyme derived from Natto (a traditional Japanese food derived from soybean fermentation).•NK has substantial capability for treatment of hypertension, Alzheimer's disease, and proliferative vitreoretinal disorders.•Eventually, we focused on screening of producing strains and genetic engineering processes for recombinant NK production.