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Phosphorothioate oligonucleotides inhibit the intrinsic tenase complex by an allosteric mechanism.

Phosphorothioate oligonucleotides (PS ODNs) prolong the activated partial thromboplastin time in human plasma by inhibition of intrinsic tenase (factor IXa-factor VIIIa) activity. This inhibition was characterized using ISIS 2302, a 20-mer antisense PS ODN. ISIS 2302 demonstrated hyperbolic, mixed-type inhibition of factor X activation by the intrinsic tenase complex. The decrease in V(max(app)) was analyzed by examining complex assembly, cofactor stability, and protease catalysis. ISIS 2302 did not inhibit factor X activation by the factor IXa-phospholipid complex, or significantly affect factor VIII-phospholipid affinity. Inhibitory concentrations of ISIS 2302 modestly decreased the affinity of factor IXa-factor VIIIa binding in the presence of phospholipid (K(D) = 11.5 vs 4.8 nM). This effect was insufficient to explain the reduction in V(max(app)). ISIS 2302 did not affect the in vitro half-life of factor VIIIa, suggesting it did not destabilize cofactor activity. In the presence of 30% ethylene glycol, the level of factor X activation by the factor IXa-phospholipid complex increased 3-fold, and the level of chromogenic substrate cleavage by factor IXa increased more than 50-fold. ISIS 2302 demonstrated partial inhibition of factor X activation by the factor IXa-phospholipid complex, and chromogenic substrate cleavage by factor IXa, only in the presence of ethylene glycol. Like the intact enzyme complex, ISIS 2302 demonstrated hyperbolic, mixed-type inhibition of chromogenic substrate cleavage by factor IXa (K(I) = 88 nM). Equilibrium binding studies with fluorescein-labeled ISIS 2302 demonstrated a similar affinity (K(D) = 92 nM) for the PS ODN-factor IX interaction. These results suggest that PS ODNs bind to an exosite on factor IXa, modulating catalytic activity of the intrinsic tenase complex.

Allosteric Regulation↗

Activation of normal and abnormal human factor IX with trypsin.

Human factor IX is activated to factor IXa beta when factor XIa cleaves two peptide bonds, Arg 145-Ala 146 and Arg 180-Val 181, to release an activation peptide. In factor IX Chapel Hill (IXCH), isolated from a hemophilia B patient with a mild bleeding disorder, the arginine 145 residue has been replaced with a histidine. Thus factor IXCH is activated by factor XIa by cleaving only at the Arg 180-Val 181 bond, leaving the activation peptide attached, and resulting in an activated species, factor IXa alpha CH, that, like normal factor IXa alpha, is only 20% as active as factor IXa beta. It is reported that both factor IX and factor IXCH could be activated by trypsin to forms of factor IXa beta and factor IXa beta CH that had clotting activities identical to factor XIa-activated factor IX. Amino-terminal amino acid sequence analysis showed that trypsin cleaved factor IX at the same bonds as did factor XIa; factor IXCH was cleaved at the Arg 180-Val 181 bond, as normal, and was cleaved near the histidine 145, at the Lys 142-Leu 143 bond, releasing a slightly larger activation peptide than from normal factor IXa beta. Metal ions had no effect on the rate of activation of factor IX by trypsin; however, metal ions had a profound effect on the rate at which further incubation with trypsin inactivated factor IXa. Calcium and manganese protected factor IXa from inactivation by trypsin more effectively than magnesium, which was more effective than no metal ion. It is concluded that trypsin can activate normal factor IX and factor IXCH to fully active IXa beta forms.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

The lipoprotein-associated coagulation inhibitor.

TF mediated initiation of coagulation appears to play a critical role in normal hemostasis and probably pathologic thrombosis as well. Although teleological considerations would seem to suggest that a specific regulator of this process should exist, and although the presence in plasma of such an inhibitor was documented many years ago, it was not until the past five years that the inhibitor was characterized and its mechanism of action defined. LACI produces factor Xa-dependent feedback initiation of the VIIa/TF catalytic complex. The mechanism of this feedback inhibition is novel. First, LACI, a multi-headed protease inhibitor, binds factor Xa, a product of VIIa/TF catalysis, at one of its inhibitory domains. The Xa-LACI complex, possibly acting as a pseudosubstrate, then is able to bind to VIIa/TF in an appropriate conformation such that a second inhibitory domain of LACI is positioned to interact with factor VIIa in the VIIa/TF complex. Whether such a unique means of eliciting feedback inhibition in a protease cascade is repeated in nature is unknown. The existence of LACI appears to help explain the clinical need for both "extrinsic" and "intrinsic" coagulation pathways. In addition, data to the present are consistent with the notion that, in normal hemostasis at least, TF is responsible for an initial burst of factor Xa generation which provides sufficient thrombin to induce the aggregation of platelets and the activation of the critical coagulation cofactors factor V and factor VIII. Ultimate and persistent hemostasis, however, appears to require the continued production of additional factor Xa through the action of factor IXa and factor VIII. The fact that patients with factor XI deficiency suffers a variable but usually mild bleeding diathesis suggests that under certain conditions the initial burst of factor IXa formed through the action of VIIa/TF is insufficient and supplemental factor IXa generated by factor XIa is needed for normal hemostasis. The mechanism by which this factor XIa is generated in vivo, however, has not been determined. We stress that the predicted in vivo role of LACI is simply that--a prediction based on its known in vitro properties. Documentation of its physiologic importance remains to be provided and is an area of active research. Further, although significant progress has been made over the past few years in the characterization of LACI, many questions remain unanswered. For example: What is the mechanism for LACI's association with lipoproteins in plasma? What function, if any, does the third Kunitz-type protease inhibitor domain in LACI serve? (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Coordinate binding studies of the substrate (factor X) with the cofactor (factor VIII) in the assembly of the factor X activating complex on the activated platelet surface.

The assembly of the factor X activating complex on the platelet surface requires the occupancy of three receptors: (1) enzyme factor IXa, (2) cofactor factor VIII(a), and (3) substrate factor X. To further evaluate this three-receptor model, simultaneous binding isotherms of (125)I-factor X and (131)I-factor VIII(a) to activated platelets were determined as a function of time and also as a function of the concentrations of both ligands in the presence of active site-inhibited factor IXa (45 nM) and 5 mM CaCl(2). In the presence of active site-inhibited factor IXa and factor VIIIa there are two independent factor X binding sites: (1) low affinity, high capacity (approximately 9000 sites/platelet; K(d) approximately 380 nM) and (2) low capacity, high affinity (1700 sites/platelet; K(d) approximately 30 nM). A single specific and selective factor X binding site was expressed (1200 sites/platelet; K(d) approximately 9 nM) when the shared factor X/factor II site was blocked by excess factor II (4 microM). In the presence of active site-inhibited factor IXa (4 nM) and factor II (4 microM), factor X binds to 3-fold more platelet sites than procofactor VIII with relatively low affinity (K(d) approximately 250 nM). The activation of procofactor VIII to factor VIIIa increases the affinity of binding to platelets of both factor VIIIa ( approximately 4-fold to K(d) approximately 0.8-1.5 nM) and factor X ( approximately 25-50-fold to K(d) approximately 5-9 nM). In the presence of excess zymogen factor IX, which blocks the shared factor IX/factor IXa binding site, the substrate, factor X, and the active cofactor, factor VIIIa, form a 1:1 stoichiometric complex. These coordinate binding studies support the conclusion that factor X initially binds to a high-capacity, low-affinity platelet binding site shared with prothrombin, which then presents factor X to a specific high-affinity site consisting of factor VIIIa bound to a high-affinity, low-capacity receptor on activated platelets.

Binding Sites↗

Anticoagulant actions of tissue factor pathway inhibitor on tissue-factor-dependent plasma coagulation.

The initiation and propagation of in vivo coagulation are thought to be catalyzed by factor VIIa-tissue factor (an activator of factor X and factor IX) and factor IXa-factor VIIIa (an activator of factor IX), respectively. The enzymatic activity of factor VIIa-tissue factor is abrogated by tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI), which anchors a quaternary complex consisting of equimolar TFPI, factor Xa, factor VIIa, and tissue factor in which both factor Xa and factor VIIa are inactive. This study compared the anticoagulant effectiveness of TFPI (which also inactivates prothrombinase-bound factor Xa), hirudin (which inactivates thrombin), and heparin (which catalyzes the inactivation of factor Xa and thrombin by antithrombin III). Factor X and prothrombin activation were initiated by adding 5 pM r-tissue factor in a suspension of coagulant phospholipids and CaCl2 to defibrinated plasma. Compared on the basis of their ability to delay the initiation of and inhibit factor X and prothrombin activation, the anticoagulant effectiveness of 0.5 nM TFPI was greater than those of 10 nM hirudin and approximately 100 nM (0.1 unit/mL) heparin. However, a 100-fold molar excess of TFPI over tissue factor could not abrogate factor X and prothrombin activation in plasma. These results suggest that propagation of tissue-factor dependent coagulation is catalyzed by factor IXa-factor VIIIa, which unlike factor VIIa-tissue factor, is not inactivated by TFPI.

Animals↗

Unsaturated phospholipid acyl chains are required to constitute membrane binding sites for factor VIII.

Membranes containing phosphatidyl-L-serine (PS) and phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) greatly enhance the function of the enzymatic cofactor factor VIII. The mechanisms of enhanced function involve condensation of enzyme (factor IXa), activated cofactor (factor VIIIa), and substrate (factor X) at a common location and, most dramatically, activation of the assembled enzyme-cofactor complex. We asked whether unsaturated phospholipid (PL) acyl chains are necessary to constitute factor VIII binding sites or to activate the factor VIIIa-factor IXa complex. We found that membranes composed of saturated, dimyristoyl phospholipids had 20-fold fewer factor VIII binding sites and that these sites supported less than 5% normal activity of the factor VIIIa-factor IXa complex. Thrombin-activated factor VIII bound to a similar number of membrane sites, and thrombin activation did not reduce the affinity for saturated membranes more than 2-fold so that the loss of functional activity is due to a requirement of the factor VIIIa-factor IXa complex for unsaturated acyl chains that exceeds the requirement for factor VIII binding alone. Replacement of dimyristoyl-PS, -PE, or -PC individually with the corresponding unsaturated phospholipid restored 75%, 60%, and 15%, respectively, of factor VIII binding sites but less than 10% of factor VIIIa-factor IXa activating activity. Lyso-PS did not support binding of factor VIII or function of the factor VIIIa-factor IXa complex even when PE and phosphatidylcholine contained unsaturated acyl chains. We conclude that the sn-2 acyl chain of PS and unsaturated phospholipid acyl chains are chemical requirements for constitution of fully functional factor VIII binding sites on phospholipid membranes.

Animals↗

Effects of gamma-carboxyglutamic acid and epidermal growth factor-like modules of factor IX on factor X activation. Studies using proteolytic fragments of bovine factor IX.

Factor IX is a vitamin K-dependent zymogen of a serine protease. The NH2-terminal half of the molecule consists of a Ca(2+)-binding gamma-carboxyglutamic acid (Gla)-containing module and two modules homologous to the epidermal growth factor (EGF) precursor. To elucidate the role of these non-catalytic modules of factor IXa beta in factor X activation, we have isolated and characterized fragments of bovine factor IX, containing one or both of the EGF-like modules as well as these modules linked to the Gla module. The fragments were used as inhibitors of factor IXa beta-mediated factor X activation in a plasma clotting system and in systems with purified components of the Xase complex. Fragments consisting of either the two EGF-like modules of factor IX linked together or the NH2-terminal EGF-like module alone were found to inhibit factor Xa generation both in the presence and absence of the cofactor, factor VIIIa. Moreover, a fragment consisting of the corresponding modules of factor X had a similar effect. We therefore propose that factor IXa beta and factor X interact directly through their EGF-like modules on or in the vicinity of a phospholipid surface. We have also found that the isolated Gla module of factor IX inhibits the formation of factor Xa both in the presence and absence of phospholipid but not in the absence of factor VIIIa. Our results are compatible with a model of the Xase complex, in which both the serine protease part and the Gla module of factor IXa beta interact with factor VIIIa.

1-Carboxyglutamic Acid↗

Inhibition of activated porcine factor IX by dansyl-glutamyl-glycyl-arginyl-chloromethylketone.

Activated porcine Factor IX is irreversibly inhibited by an active site histidine-directed serine protease inhibitor, dansyl-glutamyl-glycyl-arginyl-chloromethylketone (DEGR-CK). The kinetics of inhibition are second order up to inhibitor concentrations of 10(-5) M. The apparent second-order rate constant (in 0.20 M NaCl, pH 8.0) is 1.7 X 10(4) M-1 min-1, which is considerably lower than values reported for Factor Xa, thrombin, plasmin, and kallikrein. Reaction of increasing concentrations of DEGR-CK with Factor IXa, followed by analysis of residual enzymatic activity, yields 1.2 mol DEGR-CK/mol protein, indicating 1:1 stoichiometry for the DEGR-CK/Factor IXa interaction. DEGR-Factor IXa is a potent anticoagulant in vitro. A concentration of 1 nM causes 50% inhibition of the ability of normal porcine-citrated plasma to correct either Factor VIII- or Factor IX-deficient plasmas (intrinsic pathway factors). In contrast, more than 100 nM DEGR-Factor IXa is required to cause 50% inhibition of Factor VII (extrinsic pathway) or Factor X (common pathway) assays. Activation of porcine Factor VIII:C by thrombin in the presence of DEGR-Factor IXa and phosphatidylcholine-phosphatidylserine vesicles reveals that DEGR-Factor IXa markedly stabilizes the spontaneous loss of Factor VIII:Ca activity as does unmodified Factor IXa [P. Lollar, G.J. Knutson, and D. N. Fass (1984) Blood 63, 1303-1308]. These results suggest that DEGR-Factor IXa incorporates into the intrinsic pathway Factor X-activator enzymatic complex, and also that stabilization of Factor VIII:Ca by this complex is independent of the active site of Factor IXa. Inhibition of Factor IXa by DEGR-CK results in the first reported irreversible active-site-modified derivative of this enzyme. DEGR-CK promises to be a useful reagent in the study of the Factor X activator complex. Conceivably, its specific anticoagulant properties could have future clinical benefit.

Amino Acid Chloromethyl Ketones↗

Mutations in hemophilia Bm occur at the Arg180-Val activation site or in the catalytic domain of factor IX.

Hemophilia Bm is characterized by a strikingly prolonged plasma ox brain prothrombin time. In an attempt to find an explanation for this phenomenon we have analyzed various aspects of the Bm variants factor IX Deventer, factor IX Milano, factor IX Novara, and factor IX Bergamo. Proteolytic cleavage by factor XIa was normal in two Bm variants, but absent at the Arg180-Val bond in the other two. In the latter variants Arg180 was replaced by either Trp or Gln, whereas Val181----Phe and Pro368----Thr replacements have occurred in the variants that were normally cleaved by factor XIa. In all four variants the Bm effect could be neutralized with a single monoclonal antibody against factor IX. Also, after treatment with factor XIa, none of the Bm variants reacted with antithrombin III (in contrast to normal factor IXa). Purified factor IX Deventer (one of the variants with a replacement of Arg181), either with or without pretreatment with factor XIa, was found to be a more effective competitive inhibitor of the factor VIIa-tissue factor-induced factor X activation than similarly treated normal factor IX. In addition, this inhibitory effect was much more pronounced when bovine tissue factor was used instead of human tissue factor. We propose that the normal activation of factor IX not only produces a conformational change around the active site serine that allows efficient substrate binding and catalysis, but that the same conformational change is instrumental in effectively dissociating factor IXa from the activating factor VIIa-tissue factor complex. Amino acid replacements that disrupt this conformational transition directly (e.g. Pro368----Thr near the catalytic center) or indirectly (mutations at the Arg180-Val activation site) therefore lead to a combination of 1) the loss of coagulant activity and 2) an inhibitory effect in the ox brain prothrombin time assay.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Hydrophobic contact between the two epidermal growth factor-like domains of blood coagulation factor IX contributes to enzymatic activity.

The three-dimensional structure of activated factor IX comprises multiple contacts between the two epidermal growth factor (EGF)-like domains. One of these is a salt bridge between Glu(78) and Arg(94), which is essential for binding of factor IXa to its cofactor factor VIII and for factor VIII-dependent factor X activation (Christophe, O. D., Lenting, P. J., Kolkman, J. A., Brownlee, G. G., and Mertens, K. (1998) J. Biol. Chem. 273, 222-227). We now addressed the putative hydrophobic contact at the interface between the EGF-like domains. Recombinant factor IX chimeras were constructed in which hydrophobic regions Phe(75)-Phe(77) and Lys(106)-Val(108) were replaced by the corresponding sites of factor X and factor VII. Activated factor IX/factor X chimeras were indistinguishable from normal factor IXa with respect to factor IXa enzymatic activity. In contrast, factor IXa(75-77)/factor VII displayed approximately 2-fold increased factor X activation in the presence of factor VIII, suggesting that residues 75-77 contribute to cofactor-dependent factor X activation. Activation of factor X by factor IX(106-108)/factor VII was strongly decreased, both in the absence and presence of factor VIII. Activity could be restored by simultaneous substitution of the hydrophobic sites in both EGF-like domains for factor VII residues. These data suggest that factor IXa enzymatic activity requires hydrophobic contact between the two EGF-like domains.

Coagulants↗

The binding of calcium to the activation products of bovine factor IX.

Binding isotherms of Ca2+ to the bovine Factor IX activation intermediates and products, i.e. Factor IXalpha, Factor IXa alpha, and Factor IXa beta have been examined. At pH 7.4, Factor IX alpha possesses at least two strong Ca2+ sites, with an average KD of 0.1 mM, and an additional 11 weaker sites, with an average KD of 3.7 mM. Bovine Factor IXa alpha also contains at least two Ca2+ binding sites, with an average KD of 0.1 mM, and an additional 11 weaker sites, with an average KD of 1.3 mM. Factor IXa beta, the ultimate activation product of Factor IX, in the intrinsic system, likewise contains at least two strong Ca2+ sites, of average KD 0.1 mM, as well as seven additional weaker sites, possessing an average KD of 1.0 mM. The Ca2+-binding properties of the above proteins are similar to those of their precursor molecule, Factor IX, which we have earlier shown to possess at least two strong Ca2+ sites, with an average KD of 0.1 mM, and 11 weaker sites, of average KD 1.3 mM (Amphlett, G.W., Byrne, R., and Castellino, F.J. (1978) J. Biol. Chem. 253, 6774-6779). Circular dichroism analysis of all of the above proteins was consistent with the molecules possessing a low alpha-helical content, and a high quantity of beta structure and random coil conformations.

Animals↗

Activation of factor IX zymogen results in exposure of a binding site for low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein.

The interaction between the endocytic receptor low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein (LRP) and either coagulation factor IX or its active derivative factor IXa was studied. Purified factor IX was unable to associate with LRP when analyzed by surface plasmon resonance. By contrast, factor XIa-mediated conversion of factor IX into factor IXa resulted in reversible dose- and calcium-dependent binding to LRP. Active-site blocking of factor IXa did not affect binding to LRP, whereas LRP binding was efficiently inhibited in the presence of heparin or antibodies against factor IX or LRP. The factor IXa-LRP interaction could be described by a 2-site binding model with equilibrium dissociation constants of 27 nmol/L and 69 nmol/L. Consistent with this model, it was observed that factor IXa binds to 2 different recombinant receptor fragments of LRP (denoted cluster II and cluster IV) with equilibrium dissociation constants of 227 nmol/L and 53 nmol/L, respectively. The amount of factor IXa degraded by LRP-deficient cells was 35% lower than by LRP-expressing cells, demonstrating that LRP contributes to the transport of factor IXa to the intracellular degradation pathway. Because ligand binding to LRP is often preceded by binding to proteoglycans, the contribution of proteoglycans to the catabolism of factor IXa was addressed by employing proteoglycan-deficient cells. Degradation of factor IXa by proteoglycan-deficient cells proceeded at a 83% lower rate than wild-type cells. In conclusion, the data presented here indicate that both LRP and proteoglycans have the potential to contribute to the catabolism of factor IXa.

Animals↗

Factor IX Bm Kiryu: a Val-313-to-Asp substitution in the catalytic domain results in loss of function due to a conformational change of the surface loop: evidence obtained by chimaeric modelling.

Factor IX Kiryu is a naturally occurring mutant of factor IX that has 2.5% coagulant activity, even though normal plasma levels of factor IX antigen are detected. Factor IX Kiryu was purified from a patient's plasma by immunoaffinity chromatography with a calcium-dependent anti-factor IX monoclonal antibody column. It was cleaved normally by factor XIa in the presence of Ca2+, yielding a two-chain factor IXa. However, the resulting factor IXa showed only 1.5% of the normal factor IXa in terms of factor X activation in the presence of factor VIII, phospholipids, and Ca2+, and had 20% of the normal esterase activity for Z-Arg-p-nitrobenzyl ester. Therefore factor IXa Kiryu showed the defect of the catalytic triad or primary substrate binding site as well as defective interaction with factors VIII/X. Single-strand conformational polymorphism analysis and DNA sequencing of the amplified DNA revealed a missense point mutation, a T-to-A substitution at nucleotide number 31,059 of the factor IX Kiryu gene. This mutation resulted in the amino acid substitution of Val-313 by Asp in the catalytic domain. Restriction enzyme analysis of the amplified DNA showed that the mutation was inherited from the patient's mother. The chimaeric method was employed to construct a model of the serine protease domain of factor IXa, and the resultant model suggested that the Val-313 to Asp substitution altered the conformation of the substrate-binding site. These data combined with our previous findings on a Gly-311-to-Glu mutant of factor IX suggest that the loop conformation from Gly-311 to ARg-318 is important for the expression of coagulant activity.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Model for the factor VIIIa-dependent decay of the intrinsic factor Xase. Role of subunit dissociation and factor IXa-catalyzed proteolysis.

The intrinsic factor Xase complex (FXase) is comprised of a serine protease, FIXa, and a protein cofactor, FVIIIa, assembled on a phospholipid surface. Activity of FXase decays with time and reflects the lability of FVIIIa. Two mechanisms potentially contribute to this decay: (i) a weak affinity interaction between the FVIIIa A2 subunit and Al/A3-Cl-C2 dimer and (ii) FVIIIa inactivation resulting from FIXa-catalyzed proteolysis of the Al subunit. At low reactant concentrations (0.5 nm FVIIIa; 5 nm FIXa), FXase decay is governed by the inter-FVIIIa subunit affinity and residual activity approaches a value consistent with this equilibrium, as judged by reactions containing exogenous A2 subunit. Analysis using a mutant form of FVIII (FVIIIR336I) possessing an altered FIXa cleavage site, showed similar rates of FXase decay (0.12 min(-1)) and confirmed the lack of contribution of proteolysis under these conditions. When the concentration of FIXa was increased 10-fold, the initial rate of decay of FXase containing native FVIIIa increased (0.82 min(-1)) and paralleled the rate of proteolysis of Al subunit. However, the rate of decay of FXase containing the FVIIIaR336I was reduced (0.048 min(-1)) consistent with the elevated concentration of FIXa stabilizing the labile subunit structure of the cofactor. Reconstitution of FVIII with FIXa-cleaved light chain showed that cleavage at the alternate FIXa site (A3 domain) was not inhibitory to FXase. The presence of substrate FX resulted in a 10-fold reduction in the rate of FIXa-catalyzed proteolysis of FVIIIa. These results suggest a model whereby decay of FXase results from both FVIIIa subunit dissociation and FIXa-catalyzed cleavage, dependent upon the relative concentration of reactants, with greater contribution of the former at low values and, in the absence of substrate, greater contribution of the latter at high values.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

The thrombin activation pathway modulates the assembly, structure and lysis of human plasma clots in vitro.

Thrombin activation of the soluble plasma protein fibrinogen is vital for successful haemostasis. Thrombin is generated from prothrombin by the prothrombinase complex which also includes factor Xa, factor Va, Ca2+ and a procoagulant membrane surface. Factor X activation is catalysed in a complex including either factor VIIa and tissue factor, or factor IXa and factor VIIIa. Factor IXa can be generated either by the factor VIIa/tissue factor complex or by factor XIa which is in turn produced by the contact phase reactions in vitro. Once activated, fibrinogen develops into the fibrin polymeric matrix at the site of injury. It is not known to what extent the properties of this haemostatic plug are sensitive to the pathway leading up to thrombin generation. Here static human plasma is studied in vitro using magnetically induced birefringence. It is shown that the contact phase/factor XIa pathway gives rise to linear fibrin assembly process curves whereas the factor VIIa/ tissue factor activation of factor X provokes largely sigmoid assembly. The latter pathway also causes the formation of significantly thicker fibres even though assembly is more rapid. This result is the inverse of that anticipated from the study of simple model systems. Whilst the streptokinase activated lysis both types of clot exhibits similar biphasic kinetics, an exponential main phase followed by a sigmoidal tailing off, the data suggest that clots produced by the contact phase/factor XIa pathway are more recalcitrant to lysis. These results demonstrate that the profile of thrombin generation not only determines the kinetics of assembly but also influences the rate of lysis and structure of the haemostatic plug.

Birefringence↗

Magnesium(II) is a crucial constituent of the blood coagulation cascade. Potentiation of coagulant activities of factor IX by Mg2+ ions.

We recently showed that not only Ca2+ ions but also Mg2+ ions play a crucial role in stabilizing the native conformation of coagulation factor IX. We here report that Mg2+ ions at physiological concentrations greatly augment the biological activities of factor IX. In clotting assays with dialyzed plasma, addition of Mg2+ ions enhanced the apparent coagulant activity of factor IXa, while that of factor Xa was scarcely affected. Activation of factor X by factor IXa in the presence of factor VIIIa, phospholipids, and Ca2+ ions was accelerated by Mg2+ ions. It appeared that the cation increased the affinity between factor IXa and factor VIIIa, thereby increasing the apparent catalytic efficacy of the enzyme. We also evaluated the effect of Mg2+ ions in the coagulation pathway initiated by tissue factor and found that activation of factor IX by factor VIIa*tissue factor was accelerated by the cation. Consequently, clotting of normal plasma induced by factor VIIa*tissue factor was shortened by the cation, while no such effect was observed in plasma deficient in factor IX or VIII. These results indicate that the previously unrecognized plasma component, Mg2+ ions, plays crucial roles in blood coagulation and, moreover, that contributions of factors IX and VIII in the coagulation cascade have been seriously underestimated in previous investigations.

Blood Coagulation↗

Ca2+ binding to the first epidermal growth factor-like domain of human blood coagulation factor IX promotes enzyme activity and factor VIII light chain binding.

Ca2+ binding to the first epidermal growth factor (EGF)-like domain of factor IX is known to be required for biological activity, but the mechanism by which Ca2+ contributes to factor IX function has remained unclear. We have studied recombinant factor IX mutants which lack Ca2+ binding to the first EGF-like domain, due to a replacement of Asp64 by Glu, Lys, or Val. The purified mutants (factors IX D64E, D64K, and D64V), were compared to plasma-derived and recombinant wild-type factor IX with regard to a number of metal-ion dependent functional parameters. In the presence of Mg2+, the activated mutants were indistinguishable from normal factor IXa in hydrolyzing the synthetic substrate CH3-SO2-Leu-Gly-Arg-p-nitroanilide. Replacing Mg2+ by Ca2+ further stimulated the activity of normal factor IXa but not of mutant factor IXa. In factor VIII-independent factor X activation, factor IXa D64K and D64E displayed reduced catalytic activity compared to normal factor IXa (apparent kcat/Km approximately 1, 2, and 4 x 10(3) M-1 s-1, respectively). In the presence of factor VIIIa, factor X activation rates by normal and mutant factor IXa were stimulated by factor VIIIa to a different extent ( approximately700- and 200-fold, respectively), indicating that Asp64 replacements affect the interaction with factor VIIIa. This possibility was addressed in inhibition studies employing synthetic peptides comprising the factor IXa-binding motifs of factor VIII heavy or light chains. Whereas the heavy chain peptide (Ser558-Gln565) inhibited factor VIII-dependent factor X activation by normal and mutant factor IXa with similar efficiency, the light chain peptide (Lys1804-Lys1818) inhibited normal factor IXa 2-3-fold more efficiently than did mutant factor IXa. This indicates that the reduced response to factor VIIIa may be due to impaired binding of mutant factor IXa to the factor VIII light chain. This was further explored in direct binding studies. In the presence of Mg2+, normal and mutant factor IXa were similar in binding to the factor VIII light chain. However, in the presence of Ca2+, factor IXa mutants were less efficient than normal factor IXa, which was illustrated by a 4-5-fold lower affinity than normal factor IXa for factor VIII light chain. Collectively, our data demonstrate that a number of factor IXa functions, including enzymatic activity and assembly into the factor IXa-factor VIIIa complex, are dependent on Ca2+ binding to the first EGF-like domain of factor IX.

Amino Acid Sequence↗