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Identification and chemical synthesis of a substrate-binding site for factor IX on coagulation factor XIa.

We have previously used monoclonal antibodies to identify an epitope on the heavy chain of factor XIa that is a substrate-binding site for factor IX (Sinha, D., Seaman, F.S., and Walsh, P.N. (1987) Biochemistry 26, 3768-3775; Baglia, F.A., Sinha, D., and Walsh, P.N. (1989) Blood 74, 244-251). To define the factor XIa domain that binds factor IX, we have now screened a panel of factor XI heavy chain-derived synthetic peptides for their capacity to inhibit the formation of an activation peptide reflecting factor IX activation by factor XIa. Peptide Asn145-Ala176 (which is located in the second tandem repeat or A2 domain of the factor XI heavy chain) is a competitive inhibitor of factor IX activation by factor XIa with a Ki of 30 nM, whereas structurally similar peptides in the A1, A3, and A4 domains were required at 10-1000-fold higher concentrations for similar effects, and a synthetic peptide identical with a highly homologous region of the heavy chain A2 domain of prekallikrein (Tyr143-Ala176) had no effect on factor IX activation by factor XIa. Because detailed structural information is lacking, a potential three-dimensional structure for the factor XI A2 domain was calculated based on its sequence information in conjunction with previously determined structural constraints. The resulting structure depicted three juxtaposed beta-stranded stem-loops that, based on biological information, constitute a candidate surface for contact with factor IX. The A2 model was therefore used as a template in the rational design of three synthetic peptides (Ala134-Ile146 (peptide a), Leu148-Arg159 (peptide b), and Ile160-Leu172 (peptide c]. When peptides a and b or a and c were added together and the activation of factor IX by factor XIa was examined, a synergistic inhibitory effect was observed, compared with each peptide added individually, whereas peptides b and c showed additive effects. Our data suggest that the sequence of amino acids from Ala134 through Leu172 of the heavy chain of factor XI contains three antiparallel beta-strands connected by beta-turns that together comprise a continuous surface utilized for the binding of factor IX.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

A low molecular weight platelet inhibitor of factor XIa: purification, characterization, and possible role in blood coagulation.

A low molecular weight platelet inhibitor of factor XIa (PIXI) has been purified 250-fold from releasates of washed and stimulated human platelets. Molecular weight estimates of 8400 and 8500 were determined by gel filtration and SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, respectively, although a second band of Mr 5000 was present upon electrophoresis. The inhibitor does not appear to be one of the platelet-specific, heparin-binding proteins, since it neither bound to nor was affected by heparin. An amount of PIXI which inhibited by 50% factor XIa cleavage of the chromogenic substrate S2366 (Pyr-Glu-Pro-Arg-pNA-2H2O) only slightly inhibited (5-9%) factor XIIa, plasma kallikrein, plasmin, and activated protein C and did not inhibit factor Xa, thrombin, tPA, or trypsin, suggesting specificity for factor XIa. Kinetic analyses of the effect of PIXI on factor XIa activity demonstrated mixed-type, noncompetitive inhibition of S2366 cleavage and of factor IX activation with Ki's of 7 x 10(-8) and 3.8 x 10(-9) M, respectively. Immunoblot analysis showed that PIXI is not the inhibitory domain of protease nexin II, a potent inhibitor of factor XIa also secreted from platelets. Amino acid analysis showed that PIXI has no cysteine residues and, therefore, is not a Kunitz-type inhibitor. PIXI can prevent stable complex formation between alpha 1-protease inhibitor and factor XIa light chain as demonstrated by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The inhibition by PIXI of factor XIa-catalyzed activation of factor IX and its capacity to prevent factor XIa inactivation by alpha 1-protease inhibitor, combined with the specificity of PIXI for factor XIa among serine proteases found in blood, suggest a role for PIXI in the regulation of intrinsic coagulation.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

The factor IX phospholipid-binding site is required for calcium-dependent activation of factor IX by factor XIa.

To determine the functional role of the metal-dependent conformational changes in Factor IX, two populations of conformation-specific anti-Factor IX antibodies were prepared. Anti-Factor IX X Mg(II) antibodies bind to Factor IX in the presence of Mg(II) and other metal ions, but not in the absence of metal ions. Anti-Factor IX X Ca(II)-specific antibodies bind to Factor IX in the presence of Ca(II) and Sr(II), but not in the presence of Mn(II), Mg(II), and Ba(II). In the presence of a metal ion that induces the conformational transition recognized by the anti-Factor IX X Mg(II) antibodies, the concentrations of CaCl2 and SrCl2 needed for the half-maximal binding of the anti-Factor IX X Ca(II)-specific antibodies to Factor IX were reduced 3- and 20-fold, respectively. Factor IX binding to phospholipid vesicles was inhibited by the Fab fragments of the anti-Factor IX X Ca(II)-specific antibodies, but was not inhibited by the Fab fragments of the anti-Factor IX X Mg(II) antibodies. Factor XIa activation of Factor IX was also inhibited by the Fab fragments of the anti-Factor IX X Ca(II)-specific antibodies, but not by the anti-Factor IX X Mg(II) antibodies. These results support the hypothesis that Factor IX undergoes two metal-dependent conformational transitions: FIX----FIX'----FIX*. The first transition (FIX----FIX') is metal-dependent but cation-nonselective; the second transition (FIX'----FIX*) is metal-selective for Ca(II) or Sr(II). The second transition results in the expression of conformational determinants necessary for membrane binding and the Ca(II)-dependent activation of Factor IX by Factor XIa. These results suggest chemical similarity between a surface of a domain of Factor XIa and phospholipid vesicles, both of which interact with Factor IX in the presence of Ca(II).

Antibodies↗

A new sensitive assay for bovine activated factor XI (factor XIa) using a reconstituted coagulation cascade system.

A sensitive assay for quantitating bovine activated Factor XI (Factor XIa) in vitro was developed by measuring the amidolytic activity of thrombin generated in a mixture of Factors XIa, IX and X and prothrombin prepared from bovine source and washed bovine platelets. In this system, the rate of thrombin generation increased linearly with increasing amounts (fmoles) of Factor XIa. The assay system for Factor XIa was not significantly affected by the presence of plasma kallikrein, Factor XIIa, high-molecular-weight kininogen, amylose sulfate or sulfatide within the range of the amounts used for surface-mediated activation of Factor XII, prekallikrein and Factor XI. Following surface-mediated activation of Factor XI, further generation of Factor XIa was blocked by adding freeze-thawed platelets that contain cationic proteins which bind to negatively-charged surfaces (J. Biochem. 97, 139-151, 1985). The method is useful to the kinetic analysis of the surface-mediated activation of Factors XII and XI, although it is not applicable to the activation in plasma.

Animals↗

Modification of the N-terminus of human factor IX by defective propeptide cleavage or acetylation results in a destabilized calcium-induced conformation: effects on phospholipid binding and activation by factor XIa.

The propeptide of human coagulation factor IX (FIX) directs the gamma-carboxylation of the first 12 glutamic acid residues of the mature protein into gamma-carboxyglutamic acid (Gla) residues. The propeptide is normally removed before secretion of FIX into the blood. However, mutation of Arg-4 in the propeptide abolishes propeptide cleavage and results in circulating profactor IX in the blood. We studied three such genetic variants, factor IX Boxtel (Arg-4-->Trp), factor IX Bendorf (Arg-4-->Leu) and factor IX Seattle C (Arg-4-->Gln). These variant profactor IX molecules bind normally to anti-FIX:Mg(II) antibodies, which indicates that the mutations do not seriously affect gamma-carboxylation. Metal ion titration of the binding of variant profactor IX to conformation-specific antibodies demonstrates that the calcium-induced conformation is destabilized in the variant molecules. Also the binding of FIX Boxtel to phospholipids and its activation by factor XIa requires a high (>5 mM) calcium concentration. The three-dimensional structure of the Gla domain of FIX in the presence of calcium indicates that the acylation of the amino-terminus, rather than the presence of the propeptide, was responsible for the destabilization of the calcium-induced conformation. In order to confirm this, the alpha-amino group of Tyr1 of FIX was acetylated. This chemically modified FIX showed a similar destabilization of the calcium-induced conformation to variant profactor IX. Our data imply that the amino-terminus of FIX plays an important role in stabilizing the calcium-induced conformation of the Gla domain of FIX. This conformation is important for the binding to phospholipids as well as for the activation by factor XIa. Our results indicate that mutations in FIX that interfere with propeptide cleavage affect the function of the protein mainly by destabilizing the calcium-induced conformation.

Acetylation↗

Functional characterization of human blood coagulation factor XIa using hybridoma antibodies.

During the initiation of intrinsic coagulation factors XI and XIa interact intimately with several other coagulation proteins (factor XIIa, high Mr kininogen, and factor IX) as well as with the platelet surface. To help elucidate these complex intramolecular interactions, we have prepared a collection of monoclonal antibodies directed against various epitopes in factor XI. We have utilized these reagents to isolate factor XI and the light chain of factor XIa on affinity columns, and to probe structure-function relationships involved in the interactions of factor XIa with factor IX. The isolated light chain of factor XIa retained greater than 90% of its amidolytic activity against the oligopeptide substrate pyro-Glu-Pro-Arg-pNA (S-2366), but only 3.8% of its clotting activity in a factor XIa assay and 1% of its factor IX activating activity in an activation peptide release assay. This suggests that regions of the heavy chain are required for development of coagulant activity and specifically for the interaction of factor XIa with factor IX. To test this hypothesis, the effects of three of the monoclonal antibodies (5F4, 1F1, and 3C1) on the function of factor XIa were examined. The results show that in a clotting assay the light chain-specific antibody (5F4) inhibits 100% of the factor XIa activity, whereas of the heavy chain-specific antibodies, one (3C1) inhibits 75% and another (1F1) only 17%. Similarly in the factor IX activation peptide release assay, antibody 5F4 inhibits 100% of the factor XIa activity, whereas 3C1 inhibits 75% and 1F1 inhibits 33%. We conclude that regions located in the heavy chain, in addition to those in the light chain, are involved in the interaction of factor XIa with factor IX and in the expression of the coagulant activity of factor XI.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Factors influencing the acceleration of human factor XIa inactivation by antithrombin III.

Controversy exists in the literature concerning the potentiating effect of heparin on the inactivation rate of factor XIa by antithrombin III (AT III) in both purified systems and in plasma. We have analyzed the factors that could influence this reaction and found that ionic strength of the medium, as well as the type and concentration of the heparin preparations accounted for the major discrepancies in the literature. At I = 0.43 N, a preparation of bovine lung heparin at 1 U/mL did not augment the inactivation rate of factor XIa by inhibitors in plasma or by purified AT III. However, when ionic strength was decreased, a progressive increase in the potentiating effect was observed, reaching 6.5-fold at I = 0.15 N. At saturating concentrations of heparin, which results in the formation of 100% AT III-heparin complex, (greater than ten-fold molar excess over AT III) in purified systems, all heparin preparations (porcine, bovine, low molecular weight [LMW], and high affinity) yielded an approximately 30-fold augmentation of the factor XIa inactivation rate. However, when heparin was less than saturating, we observed that various heparin preparations affected the AT III-induced inactivation of factor XIa to different degrees even though they exhibited the same inhibitory activity (1 U/mL) against thrombin. This variation resulted from differences in the number of AT III binding sites in each heparin preparation, despite a similar Kd for each. Addition of high molecular weight kininogen (HK) to AT III-heparin complexes did not enhance their ability to inhibit factor XIa, and high concentrations of HK decreased the inactivation rate. A high therapeutic dose of heparin only permits the formation of 2.5% to 16.5% of the AT III-heparin complexes that can be achieved at saturation. We observed that 1 U/mL heparin (bovine lung heparin) (high therapeutic concentration) in virtually undiluted plasma only accelerated the inactivation rate of factor XIa (in the absence of other active enzymes) less than two-fold. These new observations further support our previous conclusion that therapeutic levels of heparin have little to no influence on the inactivation rate of factor XIa in plasma.

Animals↗

The mechanism by which heparin promotes the inhibition of coagulation factor XIa by protease nexin-2.

Previous kinetic studies have shown that protease nexin-2 is a potent, reversible, and competitive inhibitor of factor XIa. Here we show that high molecular weight heparin potentiates the ability of protease nexin-2 to inhibit factor XIa with a parabolic concentration dependence, predominantly because of an increase of the association rate constant with little perturbation of the dissociation rate constant. No effect on factor XIa inhibition by protease nexin-2 was observed with heparin preparations of 6-22 saccharide units (0.1 nM-10 microM), whereas heparin preparations with 32-64 saccharide units potentiated factor XIa inhibition by protease nexin-2 in a size- and concentration-dependent manner. We propose a model wherein heparin exerts this effect by providing a template for the assembly of factor XIa-protease nexin-2 complexes, and only heparin polymers consisting of greater than 32 saccharide units (Mr approximately 10,000) are sufficiently long to provide a template to which factor XIa and protease nexin-2 molecules can bind simultaneously. Heparin-mediated enhancement of factor XIa inhibition by protease nexin-2 was partially abrogated by high molecular weight kininogen, suggesting that high molecular weight kininogen may play a role in regulating factor XIa activity.

Amyloid beta-Protein Precursor↗

Factor XIa induced activation of the intrinsic cascade in vivo.

Coagulation factor XI is a glycoprotein of the contact factor system. Its deficiency is associated with a highly variable bleeding tendency, thus a role in relation to hemostasis appears to exist. However, the importance of factor XI for stimulating intrinsic coagulation in vivo has not yet been determined. To study the procoagulant effects of human factor XIa in vivo, we infused the purified enzyme into normal chimpanzees (100 micrograms) in the absence or presence of the thrombin inhibitor rec-hirudin (1.0 mg/kg loading dose plus 0.3 mg/kg body wt continuous infusion). Factor XIa elicited an immediate activation of factors IX, X, and prothrombin, as measured by their respective activation fragments. However, whereas the activation of factors IX and X was immediate and shortlasting, (peak increments of 6- and 1.4-fold of baseline at 5 minutes after injection), the conversion of prothrombin gradually increased, reaching a summit of 6-fold baseline values after 60 min, and remaining elevated during the course of the experiments. Thrombin-antithrombin complexes also remained elevated during the study period. In the presence of hirudin, the initial activation of factors IX, X, and prothrombin was unchanged, however the further increment in prothrombin fragment F1 + 2 was markedly inhibited. These results demonstrate that factor XIa is a potential agonist of the intrinsic cascade in vivo, which activity is enhanced in the presence of thrombin.

Analysis of Variance↗

The Arg-4 mutant factor IX Strasbourg 2 shows a delayed activation by factor XIa.

We have characterized at the DNA and protein levels a mutant factor IX, factor IX Strasbourg 2, which is responsible for a severe form (< 0.01 U/ml) of haemophilia B. Factor IX Strasbourg 2 has a higher molecular weight than normal factor IX. A mutation G-->A at position 6365 of the gene was demonstrated by DNA sequencing and confirmed by restriction mapping which showed absence of a Hae III site. This leads to the substitution of glutamine for arginine at position -4 of the propeptide. Factor IX Strasbourg 2 was purified from plasma by DEAE Sepharose chromatography and immunoaffinity and relative to normal factor IX, binding of calcium to the mutant protein was clearly reduced in calcium lactate agarose gel. Quantification of gamma-carboxyglutamic acid residues gave about 50% carboxylation as compared to normal factor IX. Microsequencing of the NH2-terminal part of factor IX Strasbourg 2 confirmed the attachment of the propeptide and the mutation Arg-->Gln. Activation of factor IX Strasbourg 2 by purified factor XIa was found to be retarded as compared to normal factor IX, but after activation the mutant factor IXa was able to activate factor X. In conclusion, factor IX Strasbourg 2 circulates with the attached propeptide and shows reduced gamma-carboxylation and delayed activation by factor XIa but a normal capacity to activate factor X after total cleavage by factor XIa.

1-Carboxyglutamic Acid↗

Conformation of high molecular weight kininogen: effects of kallikrein and factor XIa cleavage.

The effect of kallikrein and factor XIa proteolysis of high molecular weight kininogen (HK) was investigated. Circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy showed that cleavage of HK by plasma kallikrein or urinary kallikrein, both of which result in an active cofactor (HKa), results in conformational change that is characterized by increase in CD ellipticity at 222 nm. This suggests an increase in organized secondary structures. By contrast, cleavage of HK by factor XIa which results in an inactive cofactor (HKi) is characterized by a dramatic decrease in CD ellipticity at 222 nm suggesting an entirely different type of conformational change. The intrinsic fluorescence of HK is enhanced after cleavage by all three proteases. These conformational changes may play a role in determining the structure and function of HKa and HKi.

Circular Dichroism↗

Cleavage of human high molecular weight kininogen by factor XIa in vitro. Effect on structure and function.

We have recently demonstrated that human high molecular weight kininogen (HMWK) is a pro-cofactor that is cleaved by kallikrein to yield a two-chain cofactor (HMWKa) and the nanopeptide bradykinin. This proteolysis enhances its association with an activating surface, an event necessary for expression of its cofactor activity. We now report that factor XIa is capable of hydrolyzing HMWK and releasing bradykinin in a purified system as well as cleaving and inactivating HMWK in a plasma environment during the contact-activation process. The profile of proteolysis differs from that produced by kallikrein and by factor XIIa in that the first cleavage by factor XIa yields 75- and 45-kDa polypeptides, whereas both factor XIIa and kallikrein initially produce 65- and 56-kDa species. Further proteolysis by all three enzymes eventually produces similar heavy chains (Mr = 65,000) and light chains (Mr = 45,000). However, the amount of factor XIa generated in plasma during contact activation further degrades the light chain of HMWK, eventually destroying its coagulant activity. Furthermore, in a purified system, enhancement of the degradation of HMWK coagulant activity by factor XIa was achieved when kallikrein was included in the incubation mixture, suggesting that the preferred substrate for factor XIa is the active form of HMWK (HMWKa), and not the pro-cofactor. These data suggest that factor XIa has the potential to act as a regulator of contact-activated coagulation by virtue of its ability to destroy the cofactor function of HMWK after its generation by either kallikrein, factor XIIa, or to a lesser extent, factor XIa, itself.

Bradykinin↗

The heparin-catalysed inhibition of human factor XIa by antithrombin III is dependent on the heparin type.

The effect of various well-characterized heparin preparations on the inactivation of human Factor XIa by human antithrombin III was studied. The heparin preparations used were unfractionated heparin and four heparin fractions obtained after anion-exchange chromatography. Inactivation of Factor XIa was monitored with S2366 as chromogenic substrate and followed pseudo-first-order reaction kinetics under all reaction conditions tested. Enhancement of the rate of inhibition of Factor XIa in the presence of unfractionated heparin correlated to the binding of antithrombin III to heparin. From the kinetic data a binding constant of 0.1 microM was inferred. The maximum rate enhancement, achieved at saturating heparin concentrations, was 30-fold. The rate enhancement achieved in the presence of each of the heparin fractions could also be correlated to the binding of antithrombin III to the heparin. The binding constant inferred from the kinetic data varied from 0.10 to 0.28 microM and the number of binding sites for antithrombin III varied from 0.06 to 0.74 site per heparin molecule. The maximum rate enhancements, achieved at saturating heparin concentrations, were strongly dependent on the type of heparin used and varied from 7-fold for fraction A to 41-fold for fraction D. Therefore, although the stimulation of Factor XIa inactivation by antithrombin III could be quantitatively correlated to the binding of antithrombin III to heparin, the heparin-catalysed inhibition of Factor XIa is dependent not only upon the degree of binding of antithrombin III to heparin but also upon the type of heparin to which antithrombin III is bound.

Antithrombin III↗

Thrombin-mediated feedback activation of factor XI on the activated platelet surface is preferred over contact activation by factor XIIa or factor XIa.

To study the pathways for initiation of intrinsic blood coagulation, activated human platelets were compared with dextran sulfate as surfaces for factor XI activation by factor XIIa, factor XIa, or thrombin. Activated gel-filtered platelets promoted the activation of factor XI (60 nm) by thrombin (0.02-10 nm, EC(50) approximately 100 pm, threshold concentration approximately 10 pm) at initial rates 2- to 3-fold greater than those obtained with dextran sulfate in the presence of either high molecular weight kininogen (45 nm) and ZnCl(2) (25 micrometer) or prothrombin (1.2 micrometer) and CaCl(2) (2 mm). The maximum rates of factor XI activation achieved in the presence of activated gel-filtered platelets were 30 nm.min(-1) with thrombin, 6 nm.min(-1) with factor XIIa and 2 nm.min(-1) with factor XIa. Values of turnover number calculated at various enzyme concentrations (0.05-1 nm) were 24-167 (mean = 86) min(-1) for thrombin, 4.6-50 (mean = 21) min(-1) for factor XIIa, and 1.3-14 (mean = 8) min(-1) for factor XIa. A physiological concentration of fibrinogen (9.0 micrometer) inhibited factor XI activation by thrombin (but not by factor XIIa) in the presence of dextran sulfate but not in the presence of gel-filtered platelets. Compared with factors XIIa and XIa, thrombin is the preferred factor XI activator, and activated platelets are a relevant physiological surface for thrombin-mediated initiation of intrinsic coagulation in vivo.

Blood Platelets↗

Allosteric modification of factor XIa functional activity upon binding to polyanions.

The effects of several polyanions on the hydrolysis of the chromogenic substrate L-pyroglutamyl-L-prolyl-L-arginyl-p-nitroaniline (S-2366) and on the activation of factor IX by factor XIa have been investigated. Two forms of dextran sulfate (M(r) approximately 500000 and M(r) approximately 10000, DX10) and two forms of heparin (64 disaccharide units, M(r) approximately 14000, and hypersulfated heparin, S-Hep, M(r) approximately 12000) inhibited both factor XIa amidolytic activity and factor IX activation in a concentration-dependent manner. The inhibitory effect was not due to binding of either substrate by the polyanions since only a decrease in V(max) without any effect on K(m) was observed in kinetic assays. Steric inhibition is unlikely since the concentrations of polyanions required for inhibition of small peptide hydrolysis were lower than those required for macromolecular substrate cleavage. In contrast, an allosteric inhibitory mechanism was supported by an enhancement of the dansyl fluorescence of 5-(dimethylamino)-1-(naphthalenesulfonyl)glutamylglycylarginyl- (DEGR-) factor XIa observed when the fluorophore was in complex with either DX10 or S-Hep. Moreover, in the presence of a polyanion the fluorophore was far more resistant to quenching by acrylamide. These results provide compelling evidence that factor XIa binding to the polyanions, dextran sulfate and heparin, results in inhibition of the enzyme by an allosteric mechanism.

Allosteric Regulation↗

A comparison of the abilities of plasma kallikrein, beta-Factor XIIa, Factor XIa and urokinase to activate plasminogen.

In order to compare the relative potencies of plasma kallikrein, beta-Factor XIIa, Factor XIa and urokinase as plasminogen activators, plasminogen activation by these proteins was studied using a radiolabeled fibrin plate assay. Urokinase was approximately 20,000 times more active than kallikrein or Factor XIa and 300,000 times more active than beta-Factor XIIa. Kallikrein and Factor XIa were approximately equal in plasminogen activator activity and were 20 times more potent than beta-Factor XIIa.

Endopeptidases↗

Factor XIa dimer in the activation of factor IX.

Factor XI, unlike other coagulation proteins, is a homodimer of two identical subunits linked by a single disulfide bond formed by Cys321. The present study was undertaken to understand the physiological significance of the dimeric nature of factor XI. We have expressed a mutant FXI/G326C in which the Gly326 residue of factor XI has been mutated to Cys326, reasoning that Cys321 would form an intrachain disulfide bond with Cys326 as in prekallikrein, a plasma protein that exists as a monomer even with 58% amino acid sequence identity and a domain structure very similar to factor XI. No free thiol could be detected in the expressed protein, and it migrated as a monomer on nonreduced SDS-PAGE. In physiological buffer, however, the protein was found to exist in a state of monomer-dimer equilibrium as assessed by gel-filtration chromatography and ultracentrifugation studies (K(d) approximately 36 nM). Functional studies revealed that FXI/G326C was indistinguishable from plasma factor XI in a plasma-clotting assay and in a factor IX activation assay both in the presence and absence of activated platelets even at concentrations at which less than 5% of the mutant exists as dimers. We conclude that, for optimal function in the presence of activated platelets, a preformed dimer of factor XI is not required.

Amino Acid Substitution↗

Profactor IX: the propeptide inhibits binding to membrane surfaces and activation by factor XIa.

The gamma-carboxylase recognition site in the propeptide of profactor IX signals the gamma-carboxylation of specific glutamic acid residues in the adjacent Gla domain during factor IX biosynthesis. To study posttranslational processing of the vitamin K-dependent blood coagulation factors and the properties of processing intermediates, we have isolated an incompletely processed factor IX species, profactor IX, from the medium of heterologous mammalian cells expressing the human factor IX cDNA. Profactor IX was purified by sequential immunoaffinity chromatography using antibodies specific for the propeptide and antibodies specific for the well-carboxylated factor IX species. This purified profactor IX preparation was fully gamma-carboxylated and contained the N-terminal propeptide, but it exhibited no factor IX procoagulant activity. Profactor IX was not cleaved following incubation with factor XIa. In contrast to mature factor IX, profactor IX did not demonstrate Ca(II)-dependent binding to acidic phospholipid vesicles, nor can the membrane binding surface be expressed, as detected by antibodies specific for this epitope. The propeptide of profactor IX can be removed in vitro by a specific endopeptidase, furin/PACE, yielding factor IX, which can be converted to fully active factor IXa by factor XIa and which binds normally to acidic phospholipid vesicles. These results indicate that fully gamma-carboxylated profactor IX is biologically inactive due to the presence of the propeptide.

Animals↗