Streptokinase--a clinically useful thrombolytic agent.

A failure of hemostasis and consequent formation of blood clots in the circulatory system can produce severe outcomes such as stroke and myocardial infraction. Pathological development of blood clots requires clinical intervention with fibrinolytic agents such as urokinase, tissue plasminogen activator and streptokinase. This review deals with streptokinase as a clinically important and cost-effective plasminogen activator. The aspects discussed include: the mode of action; the structure and structure-function relationships; the structural modifications for improving functionality; recombinant streptokinase; microbial production; and recovery of this protein from crude broths.