RESUMO
Heparinases can produce biologically active oligosaccharides by specifically cleaving the α-(1,4) glycosidic linkages of heparin and heparan sulphate. Heparinases are divided into heparinase and heparanase. Because heparinase is an effective biocatalyst, more and more researchers pay attention to the application of heparinase in medical field in the recent years. Combined with the related research work in our group, the application value of heparinase in the medical field was summarized, such as the determination of the structure of heparin, the preparation of low-molecular-weight heparin and ultra-low-molecular-weight heparin, tumor therapy and as a heparin antagonist. In addition, we summarized the definition, source of heparinase and its application in the medicine field. Heparinases have a great application prospect in the field of medicine.