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Altered interactions between the A1 and A2 subunits of factor VIIIa following cleavage of A1 subunit by factor Xa.

Factor VIIIa consists of subunits designated A1, A2, and A3-C1-C2. The limited cofactor activity observed with the isolated A2 subunit is markedly enhanced by the A1 subunit. A truncated A1 (A1(336)) was previously shown to possess similar affinity for A2 and retain approximately 60% of its A2 stimulatory activity. We now identify a second site in A1 at Lys(36) that is cleaved by factor Xa. A1 truncated at both cleavage sites (A1(37-336)) showed little if any affinity for A2 (K(d)>2 microm), whereas factor VIIIa reconstituted with A2 plus A1(37-336)/A3-C1-C2 dimer demonstrated significant cofactor activity ( approximately 30% that of factor VIIIa reconstituted with native A1) in a factor Xa generation assay. These affinity values were consistent with values obtained by fluorescence energy transfer using acrylodan-labeled A2 and fluorescein-labeled A1. In contrast, factor VIIIa reconstituted with A1(37-336) showed little activity in a one-stage clotting assay. This resulted in part from a 5-fold increase in K(m) for factor X when A1 was cleaved at Arg(336). These findings suggest that both A1 termini are necessary for functional interaction of A1 with A2. Furthermore, the C terminus of A1 contributes to the K(m) for factor X binding to factor Xase, and this parameter is critical for activity assessed in plasma-based assays.

Energy Transfer↗

The role of phospholipid and factor VIIIa in the activation of bovine factor X.

The kinetic parameters of bovine factor X activation by bovine factor IXa have been determined in the absence and presence of Ca2+, thrombin-activated bovine factor VIII (VIIIa), and phospholipid (dioleoylphosphatidylcholine/dioleoylphosphatidylserine, 75/25; mol/mol). Factor IXa in the absence of Ca2+, factor VIIIa, and phospholipid is able to catalyze factor X activation. The Km for factor X is 299 microM which is well above its concentration in bovine plasma, about 0.2 microM. The Vmax of factor Xa formation is 0.0022 mol of Xa . min-1 . mol of IXa-1 under these conditions. Addition of Ca2+ has little effect on the kinetic constants of factor X activation by factor IXa. In the presence of 10 mM CaCl2 the Km for factor X is 181 microM, and the Vmax is 0.0105 mol of Xa . min-1 . mol of IXa-1. The presence of 10 microM phospholipid dramatically decreases the Km for factor X to 0.058 microM, and the Vmax becomes 0.0025 mol of Xa . min-1 . mol of IXa-1. The Vmax of factor Xa formation slightly increases when more phospholipid is present in our experiments, and there is a considerable increase of the Km for factor X at higher phospholipid concentrations. Therefore, the Km measured in the presence of phospholipid has to be regarded as an apparent Km. The possible explanations for this phenomenon are discussed. For the complete factor X-activating complex (i.e. factor IXa, factor VIIIa, Ca2+, and 10 microM phospholipid) the Km for factor X is 0.0063 microM, and the Vmax is raised 200,000-fold to 500 mol of Xa . min-1 . mol of IXa-1. In order to exert its stimulating effect on factor X activation factor VIII has to be activated with thrombin. Our results show that factor IXa is an enzyme which can activate factor X at a very low rate. The stimulating effect of phospholipid in factor X activation is mainly due to an effect on the Km for factor X, bringing it within the range of the plasma concentration. The stimulatory effect of factor VIIIa is explained by its 200,000-fold increase of the Vmax of factor Xa formation.

Animals↗

Role of P1 residues Arg336 and Arg562 in the activated-Protein-C-catalysed inactivation of Factor VIIIa.

APC (activated Protein C) inactivates human Factor VIIIa following cleavage at residues Arg336 and Arg562 within the A1 and A2 subunits respectively. The role of the P1 arginine in APC-catalysed inactivation of Factor VIIIa was examined by employing recombinant Factor VIIIa molecules where residues 336 and 562 were replaced with alanine and/or glutamine. Stably expressed Factor VIII proteins were activated by thrombin and resultant Factor VIIIa was reacted at high concentration with APC to minimize cofactor inactivation due to A2 subunit dissociation. APC cleaved wild-type Factor VIIIa at the A1 site with a rate approximately 25-fold greater than that for the A2 site. A1 mutants R336A and R336Q were inactivated approximately 9-fold slower than wild-type Factor VIIIa, whereas the A2 mutant R562A was inactivated approximately 2-fold slower. No cleavage at the mutated sites was observed. Taken together, these results suggested that cleavage at the A1 site was the dominant mechanism for Factor VIIIa inactivation catalysed by the proteinase. On the basis of cleavage at Arg336, a K(m) value for wild-type Factor VIIIa of 102 nM was determined, and this value was significantly greater than K(i) values (approximately 9-18 nM) obtained for an R336Q/R562Q Factor VIIIa. Furthermore, evaluation of a series of cluster mutants in the C-terminal region of the A1 subunit revealed a role for acidic residues in segment 341-345 in the APC-catalysed proteolysis of Arg336. Thus, while P1 residues contribute to catalytic efficiency, residues removed from these sites make a primary contribution to the overall binding of APC to Factor VIIIa.

Amino Acids, Acidic↗

Factor VIIIa A2 subunit residues 558-565 represent a factor IXa interactive site.

Factor VIIIa is a non-covalent heterotrimer of A1, A2, and A3-C1-C2 subunits. Previously, we speculated that the central portion of the A2 subunit, in and around the activated protein C-sensitive bond at Arg562-Gly (Fay, P. J., Smudzin, T.M., and Walker, F.J. (1991) J. Biol. Chem. 266, 20139-20145), is important for macromolecular interactions within the factor Xase enzyme complex. A peptide corresponding to factor VIII residues 558-565, SVDQRGNQ and designated FVIII558-565, was chemically synthesized and inhibited factor Xa generation in a purified system with an apparent KI of 105 microM. Tryptic cleavage of FVIII558-565 eliminated its inhibitory activity, whereas a scrambled sequence version of the peptide possessed < 30% the inhibitory activity of the native version. Overlapping peptides FVIII556-564 and FVIII561-569 were also inhibitory and confirmed the importance of residues in and around the scissile bond for functional factor Xase. Kinetic analysis revealed that peptide-mediated inhibition was non-competitive with respect to factor X. However, increasing factor IXa concentration overcame the observed inhibition. Furthermore, the peptide inhibited the factor IXa-dependent enhancement of factor VIIIa reconstituted from isolated A1/A3-C1-C2 dimer plus A2 subunit. Isolated factor VIII heavy chain (contiguous A1-A2 domains) was cleaved at Arg336 by an equimolar concentration of factor IXa in a reaction that was phospholipid-independent. No proteolysis of the isolated A1 subunit was observed in a similar reaction. These results indicate that the A2 subunit sequence delineated by residues 558-565 contributes to the interaction of cofactor with protease and that this interaction is essential for intrinsic factor Xase activity. Furthermore, that this peptide blocks both factor Xase activity and the capacity of factor IXa to stabilize the labile factor VIIIa heterotrimer suggest that this latter property is of physiologic significance.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Assembly of the intrinsic factor X activating complex--interactions between factor IXa, factor VIIIa and phospholipid.

The activation of blood coagulation factor X by factor IXa is strongly stimulated by the non-enzymatic cofactors phospholipid, Ca2+ and activated factor VIII. In this paper we present a method by which we were able to determine binding affinities of factor IXa for phospholipids (either in the absence or presence of factor VIIIa) from kinetic measurements of factor X activation. It is shown that rates of factor X activation in the presence of phospholipids can be saturated with an excess factor VIIIa at limiting amounts of factor IXa and vice versa. Our data indicate that the enzymatic unit in the intrinsic factor X activator is a 1:1 stoichiometrical complex of factor IXa and factor VIIIa bound to phospholipid. Titrations with factor IXa at fixed concentrations of phospholipid and factor X show that the apparent dissociation constant of factor IXa for phospholipid is lowered from 10(-6) M to 10(-8) M by the presence of factor VIIIa. We conclude, that in analogy with the role of factor Va in prothrombin activation, phospholipid-bound factor VIIIa functions as a high-affinity binding site ("receptor") for factor IXa in the intrinsic factor X activating complex. Therefore, factor VIIIa increases the observed Vmax of factor X activation by 1) enhancing the kcat of the reaction and 2) increasing the amount of phospholipid-bound factor IXa that participates in factor X activation.

Blood Coagulation Factors↗

The Gla domain of factor IXa binds to factor VIIIa in the tenase complex.

During blood coagulation factor IXa binds to factor VIIIa on phospholipid membranes to form an enzymatic complex, the tenase complex. To test whether there is a protein-protein contact site between the gamma-carboxyglutamic acid (Gla) domain of factor IXa and factor VIIIa, we demonstrated that an antibody to the Gla domain of factor IXa inhibited factor VIIIa-dependent factor IXa activity, suggesting an interaction of the factor IXa Gla domain with factor VIIIa. To study this interaction, we synthesized three analogs of the factor IXa Gla domain (FIX1-47) with Phe-9, Phe-25, or Val-46 replaced, respectively, with benzoylphenylalanine (BPA), a photoactivatable cross-linking reagent. These factor IX Gla domain analogs maintain native tertiary structure, as demonstrated by calcium-induced fluorescence quenching and phospholipid binding studies. In the absence of phospholipid membranes, FIX1-47 was able to inhibit factor IXa activity. This inhibition is dependent on the presence of factor VIIIa, suggesting a contact site between the factor IXa Gla domain and factor VIIIa. To demonstrate a direct interaction we did cross-linking experiments with FIX1-479BPA, FIX1-4725BPA, and FIX1-4746BPA. Covalent cross-linking to factor VIIIa was observed primarily with FIX1-4725BPA and to a much lesser degree with FIX1-4746BPA. Immunoprecipitation experiments with an antibody to the C2 domain of factor VIIIa indicate that the factor IX Gla domain cross-links to the A3-C1-C2 domain of factor VIIIa. These results suggest that the factor IXa Gla domain contacts factor VIIIa in the tenase complex through a contact site that includes phenylalanine 25 and perhaps valine 46.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Mechanisms of factor Xa-catalyzed cleavage of the factor VIIIa A1 subunit resulting in cofactor inactivation.

Activation of factor VIII by factor Xa is followed by proteolytic inactivation resulting from cleavage within the A1 subunit (residues 1-372) of factor VIIIa. Factor Xa attacks two sites in A1, Arg(336), which precedes the highly acidic C-terminal region, and a recently identified site at Lys(36). By using isolated A1 subunit as substrate for proteolysis, production of the terminal fragment, A1(37-336), was shown to proceed via two pathways identified by the intermediates A1(1-336) and A1(37-372) and generated by initial cleavage at Arg(336) and Lys(36), respectively. Appearance of the terminal product by the former pathway was 7-8-fold slower than the product obtained by the latter pathway. The isolated A1 subunit was cleaved slowly, independent of the presence of phospholipid. The A1/A3-C1-C2 dimer demonstrated an approximately 3-fold increased cleavage rate constant, and inclusion of phospholipid further enhanced this value by approximately 2-fold. Although association of A1 or A1(37-372) with A3-C1-C2 enhanced the rate of cleavage at Arg(336), inclusion of A3-C1-C2 did not affect the cleavage at Lys(36) in A1(1-336). A synthetic peptide 337-372 blocked the cleavage at Lys(36) (IC(50) = 230 microm) while showing little if any effect on cleavage at Arg(336). Proteolysis at Lys(36), and to a lesser extent Arg(336), was inhibited in a dose-dependent manner by heparin. These results suggest that inactivating cleavages catalyzed by factor Xa at Lys(36) and Arg(336) are regulated in part by the A3-C1-C2 subunit. Furthermore, cleavage at Lys(36) appears to be selectively modulated by the C-terminal acidic region of A1, a region that may interact with factor Xa via its heparin-binding exosite.

Blood Coagulation↗

Factor IXa enhances reconstitution of factor VIIIa from isolated A2 subunit and A1/A3-C1-C2 dimer.

Heterotrimeric factor VIIIa was reconstituted from isolated A2 subunit and A1/A3-C1-C2 dimer of thrombin-activated human factor VIII in a reaction that was sensitive to pH. Maximal levels of reconstituted factor VIIIa at pH 6.0 were as much as 20-fold greater than were values observed at pH 7.5. The presence of factor IXa and phospholipid resulted in a marked increase in factor VIIIa reconstituted at physiologic pH. However, the resultant factor VIIIa was unstable due to slow proteolysis of the A1 subunit. Factor IXa modified by the active site-specific reagent dansyl-glutamyl-glycyl-arginyl-chloromethyl ketone (DEGR-IXa) increased the level of factor VIIIa reconstituted from subunits to a similar extent as was observed for unmodified factor IXa and yielded stable factor VIIIa. This enhancement was saturated above a 1:1 molar ratio of DEGR-IXa to factor VIIIa subunits and could be blocked by an anti-factor IX antibody, suggesting that the DEGR-IXa-dependent increase in factor VIIIa reconstitution correlated with assembly of the factor X-ase complex. At a saturating amount of DEGR-IXa, the level of factor VIIIa reconstitution at pH 7.5 approached values obtained at pH 6.0. Fluorescence polarization measurements indicated that factor VIIIa altered binding of DEGR-IXa to phospholipid. However, neither the A2 subunit nor the A1/A3-C1-C2 dimer alone produced this effect. This result suggested that both A2 and A1/A3-C1-C2 were necessary for association of the cofactor with factor IXa. These results suggest a model in which assembly of the intrinsic factor X-ase complex stabilizes factor VIIIa through inhibition of subunit dissociation.

Amino Acid Chloromethyl Ketones↗

Subunit structure of thrombin-activated human factor VIIIa.

Proteolytic activation of human Factor VIII (VIIIa) by thrombin was correlated with the generation of a light-chain-derived 73(71) kDa polypeptide plus polypeptides of 51 and 43 kDa derived from the heavy chain(s). Factor VIIIa activity was unstable and decayed to an inactive form (VIIIi) in the absence of additional proteolysis. The subunit structure of Factor VIIIa was studied using two rapid chromatographic methods. Gel filtration of Factor VIIIa showed that coagulant activity was correlated with the 73 and 51 kDa polypeptides which co-eluted with a Stokes radius of 46 A and was separated from the 43 kDa fragment. A similar polypeptide elution pattern was obtained for Factor VIIIi following prolonged incubation with thrombin. Gel filtration of EDTA-inactivated Factor VIIIa showed that the 73 and 51 kDa polypeptides eluted separately with Stokes radii of 32 and 38 A, respectively. Anion-exchange HPLC of Factor VIIIa resolved the coagulant-active 73/51 kDa dimer from the inactive dimer. The labile activity of Factor VIIIa was stabilized by chemical crosslinking reagents, presumably by formation of intra-chain crosslinks. A native Mr of 136,000 for Factor VIIIa, calculated from its Stokes radius (46 A) and sedimentation coefficient (7.1 S), was compatible with a non-covalent dimer composed of 73 and 51 kDa subunits.

Enzyme Activation↗

Interaction of factor IXa with factor VIIIa. Effects of protease domain Ca2+ binding site, proteolysis in the autolysis loop, phospholipid, and factor X.

We previously identified a high affinity Ca2+ binding site in the protease domain of factor IXa involving Glu235 (Glu70 in chymotrypsinogen numbering; hereafter, the numbers in brackets refer to the chymotrypsin equivalents) and Glu245[80] as putative ligands. To delineate the function of this Ca2+ binding site, we expressed IXwild type (IXWT), IXE235K, and IXE245V in 293 kidney cells and compared their properties with those of factor IX isolated from normal plasma (IXNP); each protein had the same Mr and gamma-carboxyglutamic acid content. Activation of each factor IX protein by factor VIIa.Ca2+.tissue factor was normal as analyzed by sodium dodecyl sulfate-gel electrophoresis. The coagulant activity of IXaWT was approximately 93%, of IXaE235K was approximately 27%, and of IXaE245V was approximately 4% compared with that of IXaNP. In contrast, activation by factor XIa.Ca2+ led to proteolysis at Arg318-Ser319[150-151] in the protease domain autolysis loop of IXaE245V with a concomitant loss of coagulant activity; this proteolysis was moderate in IXaE235K and minimal in IXaWT or IXaNP. Interaction of each activated mutant with an active site probe, p-aminobenzamidine, was also examined; the Kd of interaction in the absence and presence (in parentheses) of Ca2+ was: IXaNP or IXaWT 230 microM (78 microM), IXaE235K 150 microM (145 microM), IXaE245V 225 microM (240 microM), and autolysis loop cleaved IXaE245V 330 microM (350 microM). Next, we evaluated the apparent Kd (Kd,app) of interaction of each activated mutant with factor VIIIa. We first investigated the EC50 of interaction of IXaNP as well as of IXaWT with factor VIIIa in the presence and absence of phospholipid (PL) and varying concentrations of factor X. At each factor X concentration and constant factor VIIIa, EC50 was the free IXaNP or IXaWT concentration that yielded a half-maximal rate of factor Xa generation. EC50 values for IXaNP and IXaWT were similar and are as follows: PL-minus/X-minus (extrapolated), 2.8 microM; PL-minus/X-saturating, 0.25 microM; PLplus/X-minus, 1.6 nM; and PL-plus/X-saturating, 0.09 nM. Further, Kd,app of binding of active site-blocked factor IXa to factor VIIIa was calculated from its ability to inhibit IXaWT in the Tenase assay. Kd,app values in the absence and presence (in parentheses) of PL were: IXaNP or IXaWT, 0. 19 microM (0.07 nM); IXaE235K, 0.68 microM (0.26 nM); IXaE245V, 2.5 microM (1.35 nM); and autolysis loop-cleaved IXaE245V, 15.6 microM (14.3 nM). We conclude that (a) PL increases the apparent affinity of factor IXa for factor VIIIa approximately 2,000-fold, and the substrate, factor X, increases this affinity approximately 10-15-fold; (b) the protease domain Ca2+ binding site increases this affinity approximately 15-fold, and lysine at position 235 only partly substitutes for Ca2+; (c) Ca2+ binding to the protease domain increases the S1 reactivity approximately 3-fold and prevents proteolysis in the autolysis loop; and (d) proteolysis in the autolysis loop leads to a loss of catalytic efficiency with retention of S1 binding site and a further approximately 8-fold reduction in affinity of factor IXa for factor VIIIa.

1-Carboxyglutamic Acid↗

The connecting segment between both epidermal growth factor-like domains in blood coagulation factor IX contributes to stimulation by factor VIIIa and its isolated A2 domain.

The light chain of activated factor IX comprises multiple interactions between both epidermal growth factor-like domains that contribute to enzymatic activity and binding of factor IXa to its cofactor factor VIIIa. To investigate the association between factor IXa-specific properties and surface-exposed structure elements, chimeras were constructed in which the interconnection between the modules Leu(84)-Thr(87) and the factor IX-specific loop Asn(89)-Lys(91) were exchanged for corresponding regions of factor X and factor VII. In absence of factor VIIIa, all chimeras displayed normal enzymatic activity. In the presence of factor VIIIa, replacement of loop Asn(89)-Lys(91) resulted in a minor reduction in factor IXa activity. However, chimeras with substitutions or insertions in the spacer between the epidermal growth factor-like domains showed a major defect in response to factor VIIIa. Of these chimeras, some displayed a normal response to isolated factor VIII A2 domain as a cofactor in factor X activation. Surprisingly, chimeras containing elongated inter-domain spacers from factor X or VII displayed reduced response to both complete factor VIIIa and the isolated A2 domain. Moreover, these chimeras still displayed effective association with immobilized A2 domain as assessed by surface plasmon resonance. We conclude that both sequence and length of the junction Leu(84)-Thr(87) between both epidermal growth factor-like domains contribute to the enhancement of factor IXa enzymatic activity that occurs upon assembly with factor VIIIa.

Amides↗

Localization of factor IXa and factor VIIIa interactive sites.

The contribution of the catalytic and noncatalytic domains of factor IXa to the interaction with its cofactor, factor VIIIa, was evaluated. Two proteolytic fragments of factor IXa, lacking some or all of the serine protease domain, failed to mimic the ability of factor IXa to enhance the reconstitution of factor VIIIa from isolated A1/A3-C1-C2 dimer and A2 subunit. Both fragments, however, inhibited this factor IXa-dependent activity. Selective thermal denaturation of the factor IXa serine protease domain eliminated its effect on factor VIIIa reconstitution. Modification of factor IXa with dansyl-Glu-Gly-Arg chloromethyl ketone (DEGR-IXa) stabilized this domain, and heat-treated DEGR-IXa retained its ability to enhance factor VIIIa reconstitution. These results indicate the importance of the serine protease domain as well as structures residing in the factor IXa light chain (gamma-carboxyglutamic acid and/or epidermal growth factor domains) for cofactor stabilizing activity. In the presence of phospholipid, the A1/A3-C1-C2 dimer produced a saturable increase in the fluorescence anisotropy of fluorescein-Phe-Phe-Arg chloromethyl ketone-modified factor IXa (Fl-FFR-IXa). This effect was inhibited by a factor IXa fragment comprised of the gamma-carboxyglutamic acid and epidermal growth factor domains. The difference in Fl-FFR-IXa anisotropy in the presence of A1/A3-C1-C2 dimer (delta r = 0.043) compared with factor VIIIa (delta r = 0.069) represented the contribution of the A2 subunit, A peptide corresponding to factor VIII A2 domain residues 558-565 decreased the factor VIIIa dependent-anisotropy of Fl-FFR-IXa to a value similar to that observed with the A1/A3-C1-C2 dimer. These results support a model of multiple interactive sites in the association of the enzyme-cofactor complex and localize sites for the A1/A3-C1-C2 dimer and the A2 subunit to the factor IXa light chain and serine protease domain, respectively.

Amino Acid Chloromethyl Ketones↗

Regulation of factor VIIIa by human activated protein C and protein S: inactivation of cofactor in the intrinsic factor Xase.

Factor VIIIa is a trimer of A1, A2, and A3-C1-C2 subunits. Inactivation of the cofactor by human activated protein C (APC) results from preferential cleavage at Arg336 within the A1 subunit, followed by cleavage at Arg562 bisecting the A2 subunit. In the presence of human protein S, the rate of APC-dependent factor VIIIa inactivation increased several-fold and correlated with an increased rate of cleavage at Arg562. (Active site-modified) factor IXa, blocked cleavage at the A2 site. However, APC-catalyzed inactivation of factor VIIIa proceeded at a similar rate independent of factor IXa, consistent with the location of the preferential cleavage site within the A1 subunit. Addition of protein S failed to increase the rate of cleavage at the A2 site when factor IXa was present. In the presence of factor X, cofactor inactivation was inhibited, due to a reduced rate of cleavage at Arg336. However, inclusion of protein S restored near original rates of factor VIIIa inactivation and cleavage at the A1 site, thus overcoming the factor X-dependent protective effect. These results suggest that in the human system, protein S stimulates APC-catalyzed factor VIIIa inactivation by facilitating cleavage of A2 subunit (an effect retarded in the presence of factor IXa), as well as abrogating protective interactions of the cofactor with factor X. (Blood. 2000;95:1714-1720)

Binding Sites↗

Cleavage of factor VIII light chain is required for maximal generation of factor VIIIa activity.

Thrombin-catalyzed activation of heterodimeric factor VIII occurs by limited proteolysis, yielding subunits A1 and A2 derived from the heavy chain (HC) and A3-C1-C2 derived from the light chain (LC). The roles of these cleavages in the function of procoagulant activity are poorly understood. To determine whether LC cleavage contributes to the potentiation of factor VIII activity, factor VIII heterodimers were reconstituted from native HC and either thrombin-cleaved LC (A3-C1-C2) or intact LC and purified by Mono S chromatography. The reconstituted factor VIII form containing the A3-C1-C2 subunit had a specific activity (2 units/micrograms) that was approximately 3-fold greater than that of the reconstituted factor VIII form containing native LC (0.6 units/microgram). Factor Xa generation assays using the hybrid heterodimer showed an initial rate that was unaffected by the presence of von Willebrand factor and a reduced lag time when compared with the native heterodimer. The A1/A3-C1-C2 dimer was dissociated by chelation, and the purified A1 subunit was reacted with either the A3-C1-C2 subunit or the LC in the presence of Mn2+ to reconstitute the dimer. Factor VIIIa heterotrimers were reconstituted from either A1/A3-C1-C2 or A1/LC plus the A2 subunit. The authentic factor VIIIa heterotrimer (A1/A3-C1-C2/A2) had 3-fold greater activity than the form containing the LC. However, upon reaction with thrombin, the activity of the latter form was increased to that of the factor VIIIa form containing native subunits. The incremental increase in fluorescence anisotropy of fluorescein-Phe-Phe-Arg chloromethyl ketone-modified factor IXa was markedly greater in the presence of HC/A3-C1-C2 (delta r = 0.037) compared with HC/LC (delta r = 0.011) and approached the value obtained with factor VIIIa (delta r = 0.051). These results suggest that cleavage of factor VIII LC directly contributes to the potentiation of coagulant activity by modulating the conformation of the factor IXa active site.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Factor VIIIa cofactor activity shows enhanced ionic strength sensitivity in the absence of phospholipid.

Factor VIIIa, a cofactor for the protease factor IXa, is a trimer of A1, A2 and A3-C1-C2 subunits. In the absence of phospholipid (PL), the k(cat) for factor VIIIa-dependent, factor IXa-catalyzed conversion of factor X was markedly less than that observed in the presence of PL (approx. 150 min(-1)) and decreased as the ionic strength of the reaction increased. At low salt concentration, the k(cat) (5.5 min(-1)) was approx. 8-fold greater than observed at near physiologic ionic strength (0.7 min(-1)). However, this level of salt showed minimal effects on the intermolecular affinities of factor VIIIa (or isolated A2 subunit) for factor IXa or on the K(m) for factor X. Alternatively, the association of A2 subunit with A1 subunit was sensitive to increases in salt and paralleled the reduction in k(cat) observed with factor VIIIa. This instability was not observed in PL-containing reactions. Fluorescence energy transfer between acrylodan-A2 and fluorescein-A1/A3-C1-C2 dimer showed a requirement for both PL and factor IXa for maximal association of A2 with dimer. These results indicate that in the presence of factor IXa, the salt-dependent dissociation of factor VIIIa subunits is significantly enhanced in the absence of PL, promoting a reduced k(cat) for the cofactor-dependent generation of factor Xa.

Factor IXa↗

Binding studies of the enzyme (factor IXa) with the cofactor (factor VIIIa) in the assembly of factor-X activating complex on the activated platelet surface.

Activated platelet membranes expose binding sites for the enzyme factor (F)IXa, the substrate (FX) and the cofactor (FVIIIa) that colocalize to assemble the FX-activating complex and promote optimal rates of FX activation. To determine the stoichiometry and affinity of binding to activated platelets, coordinate, equilibrium binding studies with enzyme (125I-FIXa) and cofactor (131I-FVIII or 131I-FVIIIa) were carried out in the presence of saturating concentrations of substrate (FX). Results of these studies indicate that in the presence of FX (1.5 micro m), the enzyme (active-site-inhibited Glu-Gly-Arg-FIXa, EGR-FIXa) and procofactor (FVIII) bind to an equal number (approximately 700 sites/platelet) of receptors whereas the active cofactor (FVIIIa) binds an additional approximately 500 high-affinity FVIIIa binding sites per platelet (Kd approximately 0.8 nm). With excess zymogen (FIX) to block shared FIX/FIXa-binding sites, the stoichiometry of 125I-FIXa and 131I-FVIIIa binding was 1:4. These FIXa/FVIIIa binding studies together with previously reported evidence of the coordinate binding of FVIIIa and FX to equivalent numbers of binding sites on activated platelets provide strong evidence to support the conclusion that FVIIIa comprises the receptor that presents FX to FIXa for efficient catalysis on the activated platelet membrane.

Autoradiography↗

Identification of functionally important residues of the epidermal growth factor-2 domain of factor IX by alanine-scanning mutagenesis. Residues Asn(89)-Gly(93) are critical for binding factor VIIIa.

This paper describes the consequences of alanine-scanning mutagenesis on 28 positions of the second epidermal growth factor (EGF-2) domain of factor IX. We identified four positions of Gln(97), Phe(98), Tyr(115), and Leu(117) that are critical for secretion of factor IX. Of the remaining mutations, 4 mutants (V86A, E113A, K122A, and S123A) are as active as wild-type factor IX (IXwt); 16 (D85A, K100A, N101A, D104A, N105A, R116A, E119A, T87A, I90A, K91A, R94A, E96A, S102A, K106A, T112A, and N120A) retain reduced but detectable activity, and 4 (N89A, N92A, G93A, and V107A) are nearly inert in the clotting assay. Both factor XIa and the factor VIIa-tissue factor complex effectively catalyzed the activation of these mutants except N89A. The mutant V107A failed to form the factor tenase complex with factor VIIIa because of a 35-fold increase in K(d). The mutants N89A and N92A did not compete with factor IXwt for factor VIIIa binding, and G93A exhibited a 6-fold increase in K(i) values in the competitive binding assay. It appears that mutations at these positions have significantly affected the interaction between factor IX and factor VIIIa, although other mutations had little effect on the binding of factor IX to factor VIIIa. Mutations in two regions, Thr(87)-Gly(93) and Asn(101)-Val(107), significantly increased the K(m) value of factor IXa (2-10-fold) in cleavage of factor X in the absence of factor VIIIa. In the presence of factor VIIIa, the catalytic efficiency of each mutant toward factor X paralleled its clotting activity. Briefly, we propose two relatively distinctive functions of factor IX for two adjacent regions in the EGF-2 domain; the first loop region (residues 89-94) is involved with the binding of its cofactor, factor VIIIa, and the third loop with connected beta-sheets (residues 102-108) is involved in the proper binding to the substrate, factor X.

Alanine↗

Na+ site in blood coagulation factor IXa: effect on catalysis and factor VIIIa binding.

During blood coagulation, factor IXa (FIXa) activates factor X (FX) requiring Ca2+, phospholipid, and factor VIIIa (FVIIIa). The serine protease domain of FIXa contains a Ca2+ site and is predicted to contain a Na+ site. Comparative homology analysis revealed that Na+ in FIXa coordinates to the carbonyl groups of residues 184A, 185, 221A, and 224 (chymotrypsin numbering). Kinetic data obtained at several concentrations of Na+ and Ca2+ with increasing concentrations of a synthetic substrate (CH3-SO2-d-Leu-Gly-Arg-p-nitroanilide) were fit globally, assuming rapid equilibrium conditions. Occupancy by Na+ increased the affinity of FIXa for the synthetic substrate, whereas occupancy by Ca2+ decreased this affinity but increased k(cat) dramatically. Thus, Na+-FIXa-Ca2+ is catalytically more active than free FIXa. FIXa(Y225P), a Na+ site mutant, was severely impaired in Na+ potentiation of its catalytic activity and in binding to p-aminobenzamidine (S1 site probe) validating that substrate binding in FIXa is linked positively to Na+ binding. Moreover, the rate of carbamylation of NH2 of Val16, which forms a salt-bridge with Asp194 in serine proteases, was faster for FIXa(Y225P) and addition of Ca2+ overcame this impairment only partially. Further studies were aimed at delineating the role of the FIXa Na+ site in macromolecular catalysis. In the presence of Ca2+ and phospholipid, with or without saturating FVIIIa, FIXa(Y225P) activated FX with similar K(m) but threefold reduced k(cat). Further, interaction of FVIIIa:FIXa(Y225P) was impaired fourfold. Our previous data revealed that Ca2+ binding to the protease domain increases the affinity of FIXa for FVIIIa approximately 15-fold. The present data indicate that occupancy of the Na+ site further increases the affinity of FIXa for FVIIIa fourfold and k(cat) threefold. Thus, in the presence of Ca2+, phospholipid, and FVIIIa, binding of Na+ to FIXa increases its biologic activity by approximately 12-fold, implicating its role in physiologic coagulation.

Binding Sites↗