The earthworm fibrinolytic enzyme-3 (EFE-3, GenBank accession No: AY438622), from the earthworm Eisenia foetida, is a component of earthworm fibrinolytic enzymes. In this study, cDNA encoding the EFE-3 was cloned by RT-PCR. The cDNA contained an open reading frame of 741 nucleotides, which encoded a deduced protein of 247 amino acid residues, including signal sequences. EFE-3 showed a high degr...

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 protease (HIV-1 PR) is an essential enzyme for the replication cycle of HIV. HIV-1 PR inhibitors have been extensively investigated as anti-AIDS drugs. In the presence of HIV-1 protease inhibitors, the virion is unable to mature. Natural compounds are important sources of drugs. The present investigation concentrates on discovering anti-HIV compounds that are...

We have established methodology for the isolation and characterization of a novel endophytic fungus from the inner bark of medicinal plant Nothapodytes foetida, which produced camptothecin in Sabouraud broth (SB) under shake flask conditions. Camptothecin and its related compounds are at present obtained by extraction from intact plants, but fungal endopytes may be an alternative source of prod...