A protease for activating the blood clotting factor VII is described, wherein
the
protease is inhibited by the presence of aprotinin and is increased in its activity
by calcium ions and/or heparin or heparin-related substances, and wherein in SDS-PAGE,
on subsequent staining in the non-reduced state, the protease has one or more brands
in the molecular weight range from 50 to 75 kDa, and in the reduced state, the
protease has a band at 40 to 55 kDa and one or more bands in the molecular weight
range from 10 to 35 kDa. The proenzyme of this protease is also characterized.
Further, a process for obtaining this protease and its use in hemorrhage prophylaxis
or hemostasis is described. Moreover, a test system for the qualitative and quantitative
detection of a protease which activates the blood clotting factor VII is described.
