Protamines are simple protein principles obtained from the sperm of salmon and certain other species of fish. Protamine (protamines) s have low molecular weight, are rich in arginine, and are strongly basic.

How is protamine sulfate made?

Protamine sulphate is a basic protein derived from fish sperm that binds to heparin to form a stable salt. One milligram of protamine sulphate neutralizes approximately 100 units of heparin.

How was protamine discovered?

In the 1870s Johann Friedrich Miescher discovered a protamine, salmine, in the sperm of salmon. ... The drug protamine sulfate, prepared from the sperm of various fishes, is used as an antidote to overdoses of the anticoagulant heparin.