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PubMed1990

Geometry of binding of the benzamidine- and arginine-based inhibitors N alpha-(2-naphthyl-sulphonyl-glycyl)-DL-p-amidinophenylalanyl-pipe ridine (NAPAP) and (2R,4R)-4-methyl-1-[N alpha-(3-methyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-8- quinolinesulphonyl)-L-arginyl]-2-piperidine carboxylic acid (MQPA) to human alpha-thrombin. X-ray crystallographic determination of the NAPAP-trypsin complex and modeling of NAPAP-thrombin and MQPA-thrombin.

The X-ray crystal structure of the trypsin complex formed with N alpha-(2-naphthyl-sulphonyl-glycyl)-DL-p-amidinophenylalanyl-piper idine (NAPAP) was determined with X-ray data to 0.18-nm resolution and crystallographically refined. NAPAP binds into the active site of trypsin in a quite compact form: the p-amidinophenylalanine moiety of the D-stereoisomer binds into the specificity pocket; the glycyl group is hydrogen bonded with Gly216; the naphthyl group stands perpendicular to the indole moiety of Trp215; the piperidine ring is tightly packed between this naphthyl moiety and His57; in consequence the carboxy-terminal amido bond of NAPAP is located in such a way that it is not susceptible to the active-site Ser195. NAPAP and (2R,4R)-4-methyl-1-[N alpha-(3-methyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-8- quinolinesulphonyl)-L-arginyl]-2-piperidine carboxylic acid (MQPA) [Matzusaki, T., Sasaki, C., Okumura, C. & Umeyama (1989) J. Biochem. (Tokyo) 105, 949-952] were transferred in their trypsin-binding conformations to human alpha-thrombin [Bode, W., Mayr, I., Baumann, U., Huber, R., Stone, S. R. & Hofsteenge, J. (1989) EMBO J. 8. 3467 - 3475] and energy minimized. Both synthetic inhibitors fit perfectly into the much more restricted active site of thrombin. The accommodation of the S-aryl moieties in the 'aryl-binding site' and of the piperidine rings in the S2 subsite of thrombin are particularly favorable. The preference of thrombin for distinctly substituted piperidine derivatives and its generally higher (compared with trypsin) affinity for benzamidine and arginine-based inhibitors can be accounted for by these thrombin inhibitor models.

Animals↗

PubMed1997

Application of thrombin based fibrin glue and non-thrombin based batroxobin glue on intact human blood vessels: evidence for transmural thrombin activity.

An alternative method of uniting small diameter vessels to obtain tissue union while limiting the thrombogenic effect of suture placement at a vessel anastomosis involves the use of a thrombin based fibrin glue as a surgical sealant. This investigation addresses whether the in vitro application of a thrombin based glue (TG), or batroxobin glue (BG), a non-thrombin based glue made with the snake venom enzyme batroxobin, alters intravascular platelet deposition (PD) or cleaves blood fibrinogen, as measured by fibrinopeptide A (FPA) production, when the respective glue is applied to the external surface of an intact human placental artery or an artery with an anastomosis. When TG was applied to the adventitial surface of an intact vessel or an anastomosis (n = 7) of control and experimental vessels, there was a significant increase in intraluminal platelet deposition, an effect not realized with BG (n = 12, intact vessel TG p = 0.01, BG p = 0.66, anastomosis TG p <0.01, BG p <0.01). Both TG and BG significantly increased FPA levels when human whole blood was perfused through both intact vessels or vessels containing an anastomosis when compared to control vessels (intact vessel TG and BG p <0.01, anastomosis TG and BG p <0.01). Labelled thrombin studies document the rapid passage of thrombin through an intact vessel wall or vessels with an anastomosis when TG was applied to the adventitial surface of the vessel. The data suggest that TG and BG are drug delivery systems for their respective enzymes that either pass through or transfer a message across not only a surgically created anastomosis, but also an intact vessel wall.

Batroxobin↗

PubMed1980

Clearance of thrombin from circulation in rabbits by high-affinity binding sites on endothelium. Possible role in the inactivation of thrombin by antithrombin III.

The clearance of (125)I-thrombin and diisopropylphosphoryl-(125)I-thrombin (DIP-thrombin) from the circulation in rabbits was studied. When given either intraarterially or intravenously, DIP-thrombin, which is active-site blocked, was approximately 90% cleared from the circulation by 1 min, the time of earliest sampling, indicating a large first-pass effect. DIP-thrombin given intravenously is found predominantly in the lungs, whereas DIP-thrombin injected into the aortic arch is distributed diffusely in approximate proportion to the blood supply. Renal artery, femoral artery, ear artery, left atrium, and portal vein infusions demonstrate that kidney, muscle, ear, heart, and liver, respectively, can remove DIP-thrombin from the circulation. These data imply that the clearance of DIP-thrombin is not a function of a specific organ but of the vascular bed per se. The clearance of DIP-thrombin was reversible since injection of 0.5 mg of unlabeled DIP-thrombin 10 min after the injection of a tracer dose of DIP-(125)I-thrombin resulted in the rapid reappearance of the DIP-(125)I-thrombin into the circulation. In addition, the clearance of DIP-thrombin was saturable, i.e., clearance of DIP-(125)I-thrombin was inhibited by unlabeled DIP-thrombin in a dose-dependent fashion. In vivo Scatchard analysis of the saturation of the clearance process demonstrated that DIP-thrombin can be removed by binding to high-affinity binding sites, since dissociation constants (K(D)) of 10 and 13 nM were obtained for human and bovine DIP-thrombin, respectively. In contrast to DIP-thrombin, approximately 75% of the radioactivity associated with active thrombin remained in the circulation at 1 min. By 10 min 55% of (125)I-thrombin had been removed from the circulation, and essentially all of the radioactivity can be accounted for in the liver. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel radioelectrophoresis of plasma samples taken after injection of (125)I-thrombin demonstrated that all of the active thrombin was converted to covalent thrombin-antithrombin III complex by the time of initial sampling (30 s). The in vitro conversion of (125)I-thrombin to thrombin-antithrombin III complex was considerably slower (50+/-5% conversion at 30 s). The simultaneous injection of excess unlabeled DIP-thrombin inhibited the rate of formation of (125)I-thrombin-antithrombin III complex formation in vivo (but not in vitro), which suggests that the binding of active thrombin to the high affinity binding sites is required for the rapid inactivation of thrombin in vivo. We propose that (a) thrombin in the circulation binds to active site-independent high-affinity binding sites on the endothelial cell surface; (b) the inactivation of thrombin by antithrombin III is faster in vivo than in vitro because the high-affinity binding sites, present in a high concentration in the microcirculation, catalyze the reaction; (c) thrombin-antithrombin III complexes are selectively removed by the liver.

Animals↗

PubMed1990

PPACK-thrombin inhibits thrombin-induced platelet aggregation and cytoplasmic acidification but does not inhibit platelet shape change.

We have re-evaluated the previously reported ability of TLCK-thrombin (N alpha-tosyl-L-lysine chloromethyl ketone-treated alpha-thrombin) and PPACK-thrombin (D-phenylalanyl-L-prolyl-L-arginine chloromethyl ketone-treated alpha-thrombin) to inhibit alpha-thrombin-induced platelet activation (Harmon JT, Jamieson GA: J Biol Chem 261:15928, 1986; and Harmon JT, Jamieson GA: Biochemistry 27:2151, 1988). Despite several cycles of derivatization with TLCK (10,000-fold molar excess), preparations of TLCK-thrombin have been found to contain about 4% residual alpha-thrombin activity, suggesting that these preparations are an equilibrium mixture of TLCK-thrombin and alpha-thrombin and cannot be used for evaluating competition between these two agents. In contrast, alpha-thrombin activity was completely inhibited by PPACK at 15-fold molar excess. PPACK-thrombin, free of unreacted PPACK and devoid of residual alpha-thrombin activity, did not markedly affect platelet shape change at concentrations as high as 1 mumol/L, but inhibited aggregation and secretion in intact platelets activated with the minimal concentration of alpha-thrombin causing a full response (0.3 to 0.5 nmol/L) and yielded a 50% inhibition constant (IC50) for inhibition of aggregation by PPACK-thrombin of 110 nmol/L. This inhibition was specific for alpha-thrombin-induced platelet activation, and no inhibition was seen with activation induced by ADP, collagen, epinephrine, ristocetin, or arachidonate. At these low alpha-thrombin concentrations (approximately 0.4 nmol/L), a persistent cytoplasmic acidification was observed of -0.062 +/- 0.016 pH units, although alkalinization was observed at higher alpha-thrombin concentrations (greater than 1 nmol/L). While inhibition of aggregation and secretion occurred when alpha-thrombin and PPACK-thrombin were added simultaneously, inhibition of cytoplasmic acidification and of the elevation of cytoplasmic [Ca2+] induced by low concentrations of alpha-thrombin (0.4 nmol/L) occurred only if platelets were preincubated with PPACK-thrombin for 5 minutes before the addition of alpha-thrombin. In platelets treated with Serratia marcescens protease to remove glycoprotein lb (GPlb), alpha-thrombin-induced shape change was attenuated but persisted in the presence of a high concentration (2 mumol/L) of PPACK-thrombin, although aggregation and secretion were inhibited, as seen in intact platelets. The IC50 value for inhibition of aggregation by PPACK-thrombin was approximately 1 mumol/L at the higher alpha-thrombin concentrations (5 nmol/L) required for full activation in this case. These results suggest that PPACK-thrombin may be a useful probe of platelet function since it specifically blocks platelet aggregation and secretion induced by alpha-thrombin.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Acids↗

PubMed2002

Complexities in ETS-domain transcription factor function and regulation: lessons from the TCF (ternary complex factor) subfamily. The Colworth Medal Lecture.

The ETS-domain transcription factor family can be divided into a series of subfamilies. Elk-1 represents the founding member of the ternary complex factor (TCF) subfamily. By focusing on the TCF subfamily, we can demonstrate the complexities that exist in the function and regulation of ETS-domain transcription factors. This article focuses on Elk-1 in detail and summarizes the functions of other TCFs. The key themes covered include the domain structure of the TCFs, the mechanisms of complex formation with serum response factor, regulation of TCFs by mitogen-activated protein kinase cascades, and transcriptional regulatory properties of the TCFs. Finally, the emerging role of the TCFs in vivo is discussed. A picture is developing indicating that, while these proteins exhibit significant sequence and functional conservation, key differences in their structure and regulation are being identified which may relate to unique functions of these proteins in vivo.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1994

The anion-binding exosite is critical for the high affinity binding of thrombin to the human thrombin receptor.

The thrombin receptor has been shown to be a novel member of the family of G-protein coupled receptors (Vu, T.-K. H., Hung, D.T., Wheaton, V.I., and Coughlin, S.R. (1991) Cell 64, 1057-1068). This receptor appears to be activated through a thrombin-mediated proteolytic mechanism which exposes a "tethered ligand" responsible for receptor activation. In order to investigate the initial interactions of thrombin with this receptor, we have constructed cell lines which express high levels of the human thrombin receptor and studied the binding of various forms of thrombin to the cell surface. Analysis of transfected cells with thrombin receptor monoclonal antibodies identified a particular cell line (clone #5-18) which displayed > 150,000 thrombin receptors per cell. Clone #5-18 appeared to express functional receptors since treatment with thrombin resulted in both a 15-20 fold increase of cytoplasmic phosphoinositide levels and a comparable shift in the EC50 of thrombin-mediated calcium mobilization when compared to non-transfected CHO cells. Binding of 125I-alpha-thrombin to clone #5-18 did not reach equilibrium at 37 degrees C. However, direct binding studies of 125I-alpha-, 125I-diisopropylphospho (DIP)-alpha-, and 125I-beta-thrombin to clone #5-18 demonstrated that binding at 4 degrees C was saturable and reversible for each ligand. Analysis of the binding data revealed Kd's of 0.8 nM, 0.7 nM and 9.7 nM for 125I-alpha-, 125I-DIP-alpha- and 125I-beta-thrombin respectively. Association of 125I-alpha-, DIP-alpha, and beta-thrombin could be competed by unlabelled alpha- and DIP-alpha-thrombin. Unlabelled beta-thrombin, which has a modified anion-binding exosite, was a poor competitor for 125I-alpha- and 125I-DIP-alpha-thrombin, but did compete for 125I-beta-thrombin. In addition, the hirudin54-65 peptide competed at submicromolar concentrations for the binding of alpha- and DIP-alpha-thrombin, but not for beta-thrombin. This peptide binds specifically at the anion-binding exosite of alpha-thrombin and has been shown to have a lower affinity for beta-thrombin. These results demonstrate directly a high affinity interaction between thrombin and its receptor, and suggest that an important component is the high affinity association of the thrombin receptor with the anion-binding exosite of thrombin.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1994

Inhibition of clot-bound and free (fluid-phase thrombin) by a novel synthetic thrombin inhibitor (Ro 46-6240), recombinant hirudin and heparin in human plasma.

Clot-bound thrombin remains active and is less accessible to heparin-antithrombin III than fluid-phase thrombin. To determine whether clot-bound human thrombin is more susceptible to inactivation by direct thrombin inhibitors, the activity of a novel synthetic competitive thrombin inhibitor Ro 46-6240, recombinant hirudin and unfractionated heparin were compared with fluid-phase thrombin and clot-bound thrombin. Fibrinopeptide A generated in human plasma was used as an index of thrombin activity. Hirudin was the most potent inhibitor of fluid-phase and clot-bound thrombin. However, Ro 46-6240 inhibited clot-bound thrombin three times more potently than fluid-phase thrombin (IC50 19 vs 56 ng/ml) while hirudin was two times (IC50 8 vs 3 ng/ml) and heparin six times (IC50 1,205 vs 200 ng/ml) less active against clot-bound thrombin compared with fluid-phase thrombin. The relative selectivity for clot-bound thrombin is not a unique property of Ro 46-6240 since two other synthetic thrombin inhibitors tested inhibited clot-bound thrombin more effectively than fluid-phase thrombin and a third was equally active against both forms of thrombin. In contrast, the affinities of two chromogenic substrates were similar for both forms of thrombin. This study shows that direct thrombin inhibitors inhibit clot-bound thrombin more potently than heparin and suggests that an apparent selectivity for clot-bound thrombin can be achieved with some synthetic thrombin inhibitors. Further studies have to show whether the high potency of these direct thrombin inhibitor translates into antithrombotic efficacy in clinical situations with pre-existing clots.

Binding, Competitive↗

PubMed2002

Thrombin-receptor activation and thrombin-induced brain tolerance.

The authors previously found that pretreatment with a low dose of thrombin attenuates the brain edema induced by a large dose of thrombin or an intracerebral hemorrhage, and reduces infarct volume after focal cerebral ischemia (i.e., thrombin preconditioning). This study investigated whether thrombin preconditioning is caused by activation of the thrombin receptor, also called protease-activated receptor. In the in vivo studies, thrombin-induced brain tolerance was eliminated by RPPGF (Arg-Pro-Pro-Gly-Phe), a thrombin-receptor antagonist. Pretreatment with a thrombin-receptor agonist reduced the amount of edema induced by a large dose of thrombin infused into the ipsilateral basal ganglia 7 days later (81.3 +/- 0.7% vs. 82.6 +/- 0.8% in the control, P < 0.05). In the in vitro study, low doses of thrombin (1 or 2 U/mL) did not induce cell death. However, doses greater than 5 U/mL resulted in dose-dependent lactate dehydrogenase release (P < 0.01). Thrombin and thrombin receptor-activating peptide preconditioning reduced lactate dehydrogenase release induced by a high dose of thrombin (10 and 20 U/mL), whereas RPPGF blocked the effect of thrombin preconditioning in vitro. Western blots indicated that p44/42 mitogen-activated protein kinases were activated after thrombin preconditioning. Finally, inhibition of p44/42 mitogen-activated protein kinases activation by PD98059 abolished the thrombin-preconditioning effect. Results indicate that thrombin-induced brain tolerance is in part achieved through activation of the thrombin receptor. Activation of the thrombin receptor in the brain may be neuroprotective. The protective effect of thrombin preconditioning is achieved through the p44/42 mitogen-activated protein kinase signal-transduction pathway.

Animals↗

PubMed1990

Alpha-thrombin-catalyzed hydrolysis of fibrin I. Alternative binding modes and the accessibility of the active site in fibrin I-bound alpha-thrombin.

Steady-state kinetic parameters were determined for the action of human alpha-thrombin on human fibrin I polymer, an intermediate in the alpha-thrombin-catalyzed conversion of fibrinogen to the fibrin matrix of blood clots during the terminal phase of the blood clotting cascade. Values of 49 s-1 and 7.5 microM were determined (at 37 degrees C, pH 7.4, gamma/2 0.17) for kcat and Km, respectively. Studies of the effect of fibrin I on alpha-thrombin-catalyzed hydrolysis of the fluorogenic substrate N-p-Tos-Gly-L-Pro-L-Arg-7-amido-4-methylcoumarin (tos-GPR-amc) and the effect of fibrin I on the reaction of alpha-thrombin with antithrombin III (AT) were presented which indicate that the active site of alpha-thrombin is accessible while it is bound to its substrate fibrin I. Fibrin I inhibited alpha-thrombin-catalyzed hydrolysis of tos-GPR-amc in a manner inconsistent with the pure competitive inhibition expected for an alternative substrate, whereas fibrinogen, an alpha-thrombin substrate, behaved as a pure competitive inhibitor of the alpha-thrombin-catalyzed hydrolysis of tos-GPR-amc. The effect of fibrin I on alpha-thrombin-catalyzed hydrolysis of tos-GPR-amc was shown to be consistent with alpha-thrombin binding to fibrin I in alternative orientations. In one orientation both the active site and a site distinct from the active site (an exosite) of alpha-thrombin are occupied by fibrin I. In the other orientation only the exosite of alpha-thrombin is occupied and the active site is freely accessible to other substrates. The values of both kcat (21 s-1) and Km (less than 0.23 microM) determined for fibrin I-bound alpha-thrombin acting on tos-GPR-amc were decreased relative to the values of kcat (180 s-1) and Km (7.3 microM) observed for the action of uncomplexed alpha-thrombin on tos-GPR-amc. This observation suggests that the active site of alpha-thrombin is altered in fibrin I-bound alpha-thrombin. Studies of the effect of fibrin I on the reaction of AT with alpha-thrombin (at 37 degrees C, pH 7.4, gamma/2 0.17) indicated that when alpha-thrombin is bound to fibrin I in an orientation where the active site of alpha-thrombin is accessible, AT reacts with alpha-thrombin with a rate constant (greater than 4.2 x 10(4) M-1 s-1) that is greater than the rate constant (1.5 x 10(4) M-1 s-1) for reaction of AT with the free enzyme.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Antithrombin III↗

PubMed1991

High molecular weight kininogen inhibits thrombin-induced platelet aggregation and cleavage of aggregin by inhibiting binding of thrombin to platelets.

In this study we show that high molecular weight kininogen (HK) inhibited alpha-thrombin-induced aggregation of human platelets in a dose-dependent manner with complete inhibition occurring at plasma concentration (0.67 mumol/L) of HK. HK (0.67 mumol/L) also completely inhibited thrombin-induced cleavage of aggregin (Mr = 100 Kd), a surface membrane protein that mediates adenosine diphosphate (ADP)-induced shape change, aggregation, and fibrinogen binding. The inhibition of HK was specific for alpha- and gamma-thrombin-induced platelet aggregation, because HK did not inhibit platelet aggregation induced by ADP, collagen, calcium ionophore (A23187), phorbol myristate acetate (PMA), PMA + A23187, or 9,11-methano derivative of prostaglandin H2 (U46619). These effects were explained by the ability of HK, at physiologic concentration, to completely inhibit binding of 125I-alpha-thrombin to washed platelets. As a result of this action of HK, this plasma protein also completely inhibited thrombin-induced secretion of adenosine triphosphate, blocked intracellular rise in Ca2+ in platelets exposed to alpha- and gamma-thrombin, inhibited thrombin-induced platelet shape change, and blocked the ability of thrombin to antagonize the increase in intracellular cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) levels induced by iloprost. Because elevation of cAMP is known to inhibit binding of thrombin to platelets, we established that HK did not increase the intracellular concentration of platelet cAMP. Finally, HK did not inhibit enzymatic activity of thrombin. To study the role of HK in the plasma environment, we used gamma-thrombin to avoid fibrin formation by alpha-thrombin. Platelet aggregation induced by gamma-thrombin was also inhibited by HK in a dose-dependent manner. The EC50 (concentration to produce 50% of the maximum rate of aggregation) of gamma-thrombin for washed platelets was 7 nmol/L and increased to 102 nmol/L when platelets were suspended in normal human plasma. The EC50 for platelet aggregation induced by alpha-thrombin in plasma deficient in total kininogen was 40 nmol/L. When supplemented with HK at plasma concentration (0.67 mumol/L), the EC50 increased to 90 nmol/L, a value similar to that for normal human plasma. These results indicate that (1) HK inhibits thrombin-induced platelet aggregation and cleavage of aggregin by inhibiting binding of thrombin to platelets; (2) HK is a specific inhibitor of platelet aggregation induced by alpha- and gamma-thrombin; and (3) HK plays a role in modulating platelet aggregation stimulated by alpha-thrombin in plasma.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

PubMed1994

Thrombin and thrombin receptor agonist peptide induce early events of T cell activation and synergize with TCR cross-linking for CD69 expression and interleukin 2 production.

Thrombin stimulation of the T leukemic cell line Jurkat induced a transient increase in [Ca2+]i. Proteolytic activity of the enzyme was required for this effect since diisopropyl fluorophosphate-thrombin failed to increase [Ca2+]i. Furthermore, hirudin and anti-thrombin III inhibited the thrombin-induced [Ca2+]i rise in Jurkat T cells. A synthetic thrombin receptor agonist peptide (TRP) of 7 residues (SFLLRNP) was found to be as effective as thrombin for [Ca2+]i mobilization, and both agonists induced Ca2+ release exclusively from internal stores. Thrombin stimulated tyrosine phosphorylation of several proteins of molecular mass 40, 42, 70, 120, and 130 kDa. There was a good correlation between thrombin-induced tyrosine phosphorylation of the latter three proteins and Ca2+ mobilization. Thrombin and TRP also caused translocation of protein kinase C from the cytosol to the plasma membrane. As a likely consequence of these events, thrombin activated the nuclear factor NF-kB. Several cell lines of hematopoietic origin including the leukemic T cell line HPB.ALL and the erythroleukemic cell line K562 were responsive to thrombin, whereas others such as THP1, a myelomonocytic cell line, and BL2, a Burkitt lymphoma were refractory to thrombin or TRP stimulation. The magnitude of the thrombin response in the different cell types paralleled the expression of the thrombin receptor mRNA. We found that activation of Jurkat T cells by a combination of phytohemagglutinin and phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate led to a dramatic inhibition of thrombin receptor mRNA expression and to a concomitant loss of the thrombin response. Finally, we demonstrate that thrombin and TRP enhanced CD69 expression and interleukin 2 production induced by T cell receptor cross-linking in both Jurkat T cells and peripheral blood lymphocytes. These findings highlight the role of thrombin as a potential regulator of T lymphocyte activation.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1998

Thrombin specificity: further evidence for the importance of the beta-insertion loop and Trp96. Implications of the hydrophobic interaction between Trp96 and Pro60B Pro60C for the activity of thrombin.

A number of thrombin mutants have been constructed to investigate the role of Trp96 and the beta-insertion loop for the specificity of thrombin. Thrombin(60D) consists of the replacement of the beta-insertion loop (14 amino acid residues from 59 to 63, including a 9-residue insertion at position 60) with the corresponding four residues in trypsin, Tyr-Lys-Ser-Gly; thrombin(GGG) is a smaller loop mutation in which the residues Tyr(60A)Pro(60B)Pro(60C)Trp(60D) Asp(60E)Lys(60F) of the beta-insertion loop were replaced by Gly-Gly-Gly; thrombin(96S) consists of a point mutation Trp96 --> Ser; and thrombin(GGG/96S) is the double mutant incorporating both changes. Thrombin(96S) clots fibrinogen approximately 3 times more slowly than thrombin, with the two beta-insertion loop mutants, thrombin(GGG) and thrombin(GGG/96S), reacting approximately 3000- and 1300-fold more slowly, respectively. The specificity constant kcat/Km for the cleavage of fibrinopeptide A and fibrinopeptide B by thrombin(96S) was 2.6 and 0.35 microM(-1) s(-1), respectively, compared to 10 and 2.5 microM(-1) s(-1) for wild-type recombinant thrombin, respectively. Kinetic constants were determined for the hydrolysis of H-D-phenylalanyl-L-pipecolyl-L-arginine-p-nitroaniline. The Michaelis constant Km increased approximately 6-fold for thrombin(96S) and >200-fold for thrombin(GGG) and thrombin(GGG/96S) when compared to wild-type recombinant thrombin, while the catalytic constant kcat remained approximately the same. All mutants were more susceptible to inhibition by BPTI than wild-type recombinant thrombin. Clearly, the beta-insertion loop is important for thrombin activity. But the mutation of Trp96 --> Ser can compensate somewhat for the loss of binding at the beta-insertion loop. The deletion of the hydrophobic interaction between Trp96 and Pro(60B)Pro(60C) appears to decrease the stability of the beta-insertion loop, thereby causing a decrease in binding efficiency.

Fibrinogen↗

PubMed2000

Platelet glycoprotein Ib alpha binds to thrombin anion-binding exosite II inducing allosteric changes in the activity of thrombin.

The glycoprotein (GP) Ib-IX complex is a platelet surface receptor that binds thrombin as one of its ligands, although the biological significance of thrombin interaction remains unclear. In this study we have used several approaches to investigate the GPIb alpha-thrombin interaction in more detail and to study its effect on the thrombin-induced elaboration of fibrin. We found that both glycocalicin and the amino-terminal fragment of GPIb alpha reduced the release of fibrinopeptide A from fibrinogen by about 50% by a noncompetitive allosteric mechanism. Similarly, GPIb alpha caused in thrombin an allosteric reduction in the rate of turnover of the small peptide substrate d-Phe-Pro-Arg-pNA. The K(d) for the glycocalicin-thrombin interaction was 1 microm at physiological ionic strength but was highly salt-dependent, decreasing to 0.19 microm at 100 mm NaCl (Gamma(salt) = -4.2). The salt dependence was characteristic of other thrombin ligands that bind to exosite II of this enzyme, and we confirmed this as the GPIb alpha-binding site on thrombin by using thrombin mutants and by competition binding studies. R68E or R70E mutations in exosite I of thrombin had little effect on its interaction with GPIb alpha. Both the allosteric inhibition of fibrinogen turnover caused by GPIb alpha binding to these mutants, and the K(d) values for their interactions with GPIb alpha were similar to those of wild-type thrombin. In contrast, R89E and K248E mutations in exosite II of thrombin markedly increased the K(d) values for the interactions of these thrombin mutants with GPIb alpha by 10- and 25-fold, respectively. Finally, we demonstrated that low molecular weight heparin (which binds to thrombin exosite II) but not hirugen (residues 54-65 of hirudin, which binds to exosite I of thrombin) inhibited thrombin binding to GPIb alpha. These data demonstrate that GPIb alpha binds to thrombin exosite II and in so doing causes a conformational change in the active site of thrombin by an allosteric mechanism that alters the accessibility of both its natural substrate, fibrinogen, and the small peptidyl substrate d-Phe-Pro-Arg-pNA.

Fibrinopeptide A↗

PubMed1985

Effect of active site-modified thrombin on the hydrolysis of platelet-associated glycoprotein V by native thrombin.

To determine the relationship between equilibrium binding of thrombin to sites on the platelet surface and the cleavage of membrane glycoprotein V (GPV) by thrombin, we examined the effect of active site-modified thrombin (1-chloro-3-tosylamido-7-amino-L-2-heptanone thrombin toslysCH2-thrombin) on the binding of native thrombin to platelets and on the hydrolysis of GPV by native thrombin. ToslysCH2-thrombin inhibited binding of native thrombin to high affinity sites on the platelet surface. In contrast, hydrolysis of GPV by native thrombin, even at threshold thrombin concentrations, was not inhibited by pretreatment with toslysCH2-thrombin at concentrations up to 210 nmol/L. ToslysCH2-thrombin also had no appreciable effect on platelet aggregation or release of 14C-serotonin induced by native thrombin. Because toslysCH2-thrombin does not inhibit platelet release, aggregation, or GPV hydrolysis by native thrombin but does inhibit high affinity surface binding by native thrombin, these results indicate that thrombin binding and hydrolysis of GPV are separate and unrelated events.

Binding Sites↗

PubMed1995

Inhibition of thrombin and SFLLR-peptide stimulation of platelet aggregation, phospholipase A2 and Na+/H+ exchange by a thrombin receptor antagonist.

A thrombin receptor has been described that is activated by thrombin cleavage generating a new N-terminus. The newly exposed SFLLR-containing "tethered-ligand" then activates the receptor. In these studies, we used 3-mercapto-propionyl-Phe-Cha-Cha-Arg-Lys-Pro-Asn- Asp-Lys-amide (Mpapeptide) as a thrombin receptor antagonist. This compound was capable of preventing both thrombin- and SFLLR-peptide-induced platelet aggregation with little effect on collagen-induced platelet aggregation. It also prevented thrombin- and SFLLRNP-induced calcium mobilization with little effect on thromboxane receptor-activated platelet Ca2+ mobilization. Platelet membrane GTPase could be activated by peptides that activated the thrombin receptor, and the thrombin receptor antagonist also prevented receptor-stimulated GTPase activity. Platelet phospholipase A2 (PLA2) activity (measured as the release of radiolabeled arachidonic acid) and Na+/H+ exchange activation were stimulated by alpha-thrombin and by SFLLR-containing peptides. Activation of both processes with low concentrations of thrombin required thrombin's anion-binding exosite, as they were not activated by similar concentrations of gamma-thrombin, and the alpha- and zeta-thrombin activation was blocked by peptides mimicking the C-terminal region of hirudin. Stimulation of PLA2 and Na+/H+ exchange by both thrombin and SFLLR-containing peptides was inhibited by the thrombin receptor antagonist Mpa-peptide. These results support the hypothesis that thrombin stimulation of PLA2 activity and Na+/H+ exchange occurs via activation of the thrombin tethered-ligand receptor. Moreover, these data are consistent with the tethered-ligand receptor mediating most actions elicited by low concentrations of alpha-thrombin involved in human platelet activation.

Adenylyl Cyclase Inhibitors↗

PubMed1987

Monoclonal antibody to the thrombin receptor stimulates DNA synthesis in combination with gamma-thrombin or phorbol myristate acetate.

Studies with various thrombin derivatives have shown that initiation of cell proliferation by thrombin requires two separate types of signals: one, generated by high affinity interaction of thrombin or DIP-thrombin (alpha-thrombin inactivated at ser 205 of the B chain by diisopropylphosphofluoridate) with receptors and the other, by thrombin's enzymic activity. To further study the role of high affinity thrombin receptors in initiation, we immunized mice with whole human fibroblasts and selected antibodies that blocked the binding of 125I-thrombin to high affinity receptors on hamster fibroblasts. One of these antibodies, TR-9, inhibits from 80 to 100% of 125I-thrombin binding, exhibits an immunofluorescent pattern indistinguishable from that of thrombin bound to receptors on these cells, and selectively binds solubilized thrombin receptors. By itself, TR-9 did not initiate DNA synthesis nor did it block thrombin initiation, but TR-9 addition to cells in the presence of alpha-thrombin, gamma-thrombin (0.5 microgram/ml), or PMA stimulated thymidine incorporation up to threefold over controls. In all cases, maximal stimulation was observed at concentrations of TR-9, ranging from 1 to 4 nM corresponding to concentrations required to inhibit from 30 to 100% of 125I-thrombin binding. These results demonstrate that the binding of the monoclonal antibody to the alpha-thrombin receptor can mimic the effects of thrombin's high affinity interaction with this receptor in stimulating cell proliferation.

Animals↗

PubMed1991

Multiple pathways of thrombin-induced platelet activation differentiated by desensitization and a thrombin exosite inhibitor.

Recently a thrombin receptor with a unique mechanism of activation was cloned from a megakaryocyte-like cell line (Vu et al., Cell 64:1057-1068, 1991). Thrombin cleaves a portion of this receptor creating a new N-terminus that acts as a "tethered-ligand" to activate the receptor. A thrombin receptor activating peptide (SFLLRNPNDKYEPF) homologous to the new N-terminus was shown to activate platelets. We synthesized this peptide and demonstrated that it desensitized platelets to activation by low concentrations of alpha-thrombin but not gamma-thrombin. We also synthesized a thrombin exosite inhibitor (BMS 180742) that inhibited platelet aggregation induced by low, but not high, concentrations of alpha-thrombin. In contrast, a thrombin active site inhibitor, N alpha-(2-naphthylsulfonyl-glycyl)-D,L-amidinophenylalanylpiperi dide, competitively inhibited thrombin-induced platelet aggregation. We conclude that thrombin-induced platelet activation is mediated by at least two pathways: one activated by low concentrations of alpha-thrombin and blocked by a thrombin exosite inhibitor that appears to be coupled to the "tethered-ligand" thrombin receptor, and another that is stimulated by higher concentrations of alpha-thrombin and by gamma-thrombin and does not require the thrombin exosite for activation. Both pathways are blocked by a thrombin active site inhibitor.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1995

Inhibition of extrinsic and intrinsic thrombin generation by a novel synthetic thrombin inhibitor (Ro 46-6240), recombinant hirudin and heparin in human plasma.

To further define the anticoagulant activity of Ro 46-6240, a novel, synthetic, thrombin inhibitor, we compared its effect on extrinsic and intrinsic thrombin generation in human platelet-poor plasma with that of recombinant hirudin and standard heparin. The time course of thrombin generation was followed with a chromogenic substrate assay. The total amount of active thrombin formed was quantified by calculating the area under the thrombin generation curve. Ro 46-6240 and r-hirudin delayed thrombin formation in a concentration-dependent manner in both activation systems whereas heparin showed this effect only in the intrinsic system. Heparin was the most potent inhibitor of extrinsic and intrinsic thrombin generation with IC50 values of 20 and 27 nM, respectively. Ro 46-6240 was nearly as potent as r-hirudin for inhibiting extrinsic thrombin generation (IC50 418 vs 229 nM) and intrinsic thrombin generation (IC50 463 vs 343 nM) despite a much lower affinity of Ro 46-6240 for thrombin (Ki apparent: 0.3 nM) in a purified buffer system. The similar potency of the small active-site thrombin inhibitor compared to the larger hirudin may be explained by different kinetic mechanisms for inhibition of thrombin and by a higher accessibility to the phospholipid surface where thrombin generation takes place. In conclusion, our results show that a specific small thrombin inhibitor efficiently inhibits and delays thrombin generation in human coagulating plasma. This reduced thrombin generation might be caused by inhibition of thrombin-mediated feedback reactions during blood coagulation.

Antithrombins↗