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von Willebrand factor as a regulator of intrinsic factor X activation.

Factor VIII is an important cofactor in the intrinsic activation of factor X. To function effectively as a cofactor, factor VIII must be activated. In plasma, factor VIII circulates in a complex with von Willebrand factor, and although thrombin can activate complexed factor VIII, the activation by activated factor X is inhibited by von Willebrand factor. In this study, the effect of von Willebrand factor on the generation of factor Xa by the factor IXa-VIII complex was investigated. Purified human factors VIII, IXa, and X were incubated on human umbilical vein endothelial cells or phospholipid vesicles in the presence of calcium ions, and the generation of factor Xa was followed. In the presence of von Willebrand factor, a prolonged lag-phase and a dose-dependent inhibition of factor X activation was observed. These effects were not observed when von Willebrand factor was preincubated with a monoclonal antibody directed against von Willebrand factor that blocks factor VIII binding. When factor VIII was activated with thrombin before the incubation, neither the monoclonal antibody nor von Willebrand factor had an effect on the rate of factor X activation. Preincubation of endothelial cells with the monoclonal antibody resulted in a somewhat higher rate of factor X activation. When endothelial cells from a patient with von Willebrand's disease type I were used, preincubation of the monoclonal antibody had no effect on the rate of factor X activation. We conclude that von Willebrand factor on the surface of endothelial cells can modulate the intrinsic factor X activation. This effect is greatly enhanced, however, by the addition of exogenous von Willebrand factor.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Cells, Cultured↗

New anticoagulants: current status and future potential.

Arterial and venous thrombosis are a major cause of morbidity and mortality. Anticoagulants are a cornerstone of treatment in patients with these disorders. The two most frequently used anticoagulants, heparin and warfarin, have pharmacological and/or biophysical limitations that make them difficult to use in day-to-day clinical practice. Development of new anticoagulants, which were designed to overcome these limitations, has been facilitated by an increased understanding of the coagulation cascade, the advent of molecular modeling and structure-based drug design, and the realization that the treatment of thrombosis and its complications consumes billions of dollars in annual healthcare expenditures. New anticoagulants target various steps in the coagulation pathway. Coagulation is triggered by the factor VIIa/tissue factor complex and propagated by factors Xa and IXa, together with their activated cofactors, factor Va and VIIIa, respectively. Thrombin, the final effector in coagulation, then converts soluble fibrinogen into insoluble fibrin, the major matrix protein of the clot. New anticoagulation drugs that target each of these clotting enzymes have been developed. This review will focus on those drugs in more advanced stages of clinical evaluation. These include inhibitors of initiation of coagulation (tissue factor pathway inhibitor, nematode anticoagulant peptide and active-site blocked factor VIIa), inhibitors of propagation of coagulation (active-site blocked factor IXa, antibodies against factor IX/IXa, fondaparinux sodium, direct factor Xa inhibitors, protein C derivatives and soluble thrombomodulin), and thrombin inhibitors (hirudin, bivalirudin, argatroban and ximelagatran).

Animals↗

Activation of blood coagulation at heparin-coated surfaces.

It is hypothesized that immobilized heparin exerts a dual role in blood coagulation. On the one hand, the heparinized surface is because of its dense negative charge, thought to initiate the intrinsic pathway of blood coagulation. On the other hand, heparin is known as a potent anticoagulant drug. However, it remains to be seen how much contact-phase activation of factor XI contributes to thrombin formation and how this process is counterbalanced by which of the anti-protease activities of immobilized heparin. In the present study we examined the generation of factors XIa, IXa, and Xa, and thrombin in recalcified normal and antithrombin-depleted plasma exposed to polyacrylamide-graft polyurethane (PU) sheets modified by multipoint attachment of two different heparin species. One of them, HAH, contained the specific antithrombin binding sequence and the other one, NAH, had a low affinity for antithrombin and had no anticoagulant activity. Our data demonstrate that in contrast to PU, PU-NAH and PU-HAH are strong mediators of factor XIa and factor IXa formation in normal and antithrombin-deficient plasma. Interestingly, compared to PU-HAH and PU-NAH, thrombin formation was only slightly diminished in antithrombin-deficient plasma exposed to PU. In contrast, thrombin formation was dramatically delayed and diminished in normal plasma exposed to PU-HAH. These findings indicate that very low amounts of factor XIa apparently suffice to induce significant amounts of thrombin. In this sense, heparinized surfaces are highly thrombogenic, but our data also indicate that this activity is effectively counterbalanced by the anti-thrombin activity of the immobilized anti-coagulant species of heparin.

Anticoagulants↗

Factor IXHollywood: substitution of Pro55 by Ala in the first epidermal growth factor-like domain.

Factor IX is a multidomain protein essential for hemostasis. We describe a mutation in a patient affecting the first epidermal growth factor (EGF)-like domain of the protein. All exons and the promoter region of the gene were amplified by the polymerase chain reaction method, and sequenced. Only a single mutation (C----G), that predicts the substitution of Pro55 by Ala in the first EGF domain was found in the patient's gene. This mutation leads to new restriction sites for four enzymes. One new site (Nsi) was tested in the amplified exon IV fragment and was shown to provide a rapid and reliable marker for carrier detection and prenatal diagnosis in the affected family. The factor IX protein, termed factor IXHollywood (IXHW), was isolated to homogeneity from the patient's plasma. As compared with normal factor IX (IXN), IXHW contained the same amount of gamma-carboxy glutamic acid but twice the amount of beta-OH aspartic acid. Both IXHW and IXN contained no detectable free -SH groups. Further, IXHW could be readily cleaved to yield a factor IXa-like molecule by factor Xla/Ca2+. However, IXaHW (compared with IXaN) activated factor X approximately twofold slower in the presence of Ca2+ and phospholipid (PL), and 8- to 12-fold slower in the presence of Ca2+, PL, and factor VIIIa. Additionally, IXaHW had only approximately 10% of the activity of IXaN in an aPTT assay. In agreement with the nuclear magnetic resonance-derived structure of EGF, the Chou-Fasman algorithm strongly predicted a beta turn involving residues Asn-Pro55-Cys-Leu in IXN. Replacement of Pro55 by Ala gave a fourfold decrease in the beta turn probability for this peptide, suggesting a change(s) in the secondary structure in the EGF domain of IXHW. Since this domain of IXN is thought to have one high-affinity Ca2+ binding site and may be involved in PL and/or factor VIIIa binding, the localized secondary structural changes in IXHW could lead to distortion of the binding site(s) for the cofactor(s) and, thus, a dysfunctional molecule.

Alanine↗

A novel blood coagulation factor IX/factor X-binding protein with anticoagulant activity from the venom of Trimeresurus flavoviridis (Habu snake): isolation and characterization.

Using affinity chromatography on a column of factor X-Cellulofine, we have isolated a novel blood coagulation factor X-binding protein with anticoagulant activity from the venom of Trimeresurus flavoviridis (Habu snake). This anticoagulant protein was also purified by chromatography on Sephadex G-75 and S-Sepharose Fast Flow. The yield of the purified protein was approximately 16 mg from 400 mg of crude venom. The purified protein gave a single band on both analytical alkaline disc-gel electrophoresis and SDS-PAGE. This protein had a relative molecular weight (Mr) after SDS-PAGE of 27,000 before reduction of disulfide bonds and 14,000 after reduction of disulfide bonds. The protein prolonged the clotting time induced by kaolin or factor Xa. In the presence of Ca2+, it formed a complex with factor X, the molar ratio being 1 to 1. Similar complex formation was observed with factor Xa and factor IX/factor IXa, but not with other vitamin K-dependent coagulation factors, i.e., prothrombin, factor VII, protein C, protein S, and protein Z. The interaction of this anticoagulant protein with factor IX/factor X was dependent on gamma-carboxyglutamic acid (Gla) domains, since Gla-domainless derivatives of factor X and factor IXa beta' did not interact with this anticoagulant protein.

Amino Acids↗

Localization of a heparin binding site in the catalytic domain of factor XIa.

Inhibition of factor XIa by protease nexin II (K(i) approximately 450 pM) is potentiated by heparin (K(I) approximately 30 pM). The inhibition of the isolated catalytic domain of factor XIa demonstrates a similar potentiation by heparin (K(i) decreasing from 436 +/- 62 to 88 +/- 10 pM) and also binds to heparin on surface plasmon resonance (K(d) 11.2 +/- 3.2 nM vs K(d) 8.63 +/- 1.06 nM for factor XIa). The factor XIa catalytic domain contains a cysteine-constrained alpha-helix-containing loop: (527)CQKRYRGHKITHKMIC(542), identified as a heparin-binding region in other coagulation proteins. Heparin-binding studies of coagulation proteases allowed a grouping of these proteins into three categories: group A (binding within a cysteine-constrained loop or a C-terminal heparin-binding region), factors XIa, IXa, Xa, and thrombin; group B (binding by a different mechanism), factor XIIa and activated protein C; and group C (no binding), factor VIIa and kallikrein. Synthesized peptides representative of the factor XIa catalytic domain loop were used as competitors in factor XIa binding and inhibition studies. A native sequence peptide binds to heparin with a K(d) = 86 +/- 15 nM and competes with factor XIa in binding to heparin, K(i) = 241 +/- 37 nM. A peptide with alanine substitutions at (534)H, (535)K, (538)H, and (539)K binds and competes with factor XIa for heparin-binding in a manner nearly identical to that of the native peptide, whereas a scrambled peptide is approximately 10-fold less effective, and alanine substitutions at residues (529)K, (530)R, and (532)R result in loss of virtually all activity. We conclude that residues (529)K, (530)R, and (532)R comprise a high-affinity heparin-binding site in the factor XIa catalytic domain.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

In vivo demonstration in humans that large postprandial triglyceride-rich lipoproteins activate coagulation factor VII through the intrinsic coagulation pathway.

In vitro studies in purified plasma systems have suggested that triglyceride-rich lipoproteins such as chylomicrons, very low density lipoproteins, and their remnants promote activation of factor VII through activated factor XII (XIIa) and the intrinsic coagulation pathway. We specifically examined the roles of factors XII, XI, and IX in activation of factor VII during alimentary lipemia in vivo in humans and addressed the issue of whether generation of activated factor VII (VIIa) is accompanied by increased thrombin production. For this purpose XIIa, factor IX activation peptide (IXP), VIIa, prothrombin fragment 1 + 2 (F1 + 2), and thrombin-antithrombin complex (TAT) were determined in plasma samples taken before and 3, 6, and 9 hours after intake of a mixed meal type of oral fat load in 24 healthy men The VIIa response to fat intake was also determined in 7 patients with single coagulation-factor deficiency, of whom 2 were deficient in factor XII, 2 in factor XI, and 3 in factor IX. Postprandial activation of factors IX and VII occurred in the healthy individuals, whereas the plasma levels of XIIa did not change in response to the test meal. Of note, plasma concentrations of F1 + 2 were unaltered during alimentary lipemia, and TAT levels showed a small decrease (P < .05) in the 3-hour sample compared with the fasting level, indicating that thrombin generation is not stimulated in the postprandial state, despite the generation of activated factor IX (IXa) and VIIa. Factor VIIa increased in the postprandial period in the 2 factor XII-deficient patients who underwent the oral fat tolerance test but appeared to remain unchanged in the factor XI- and factor IX-deficient patients. Therefore, the current concept that activation of factor XII plays a pivotal role in initiating the sequence of events linking postprandial lipemia to activation of factor VII is contradicted by the present study. Whether activation of factor XI by triglyceride rich lipoproteins initiates these reactions needs to be demonstrated in future studies.

Adult↗

Factor V and protein S as cofactors to activated protein C.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Activated protein C (APC)-resistance, the most common risk factor for venous thrombosis described so far, is due to a single point mutation in the factor V gene. As a result, inactivation of factor-activated factor V by APC is impaired, which leads to a hypercoagulable state and a lifelong increased risk of thrombosis. The importance of protein S as an anticoagulant protein is illustrated by the association between protein S deficiency and venous thrombosis. The objective of this article is to examine the most recent advances on the role of factor V and protein S as cofactors to activated protein C. EVIDENCE AND INFORMATION SOURCES: The material examined in the present review includes several personal papers in this field, and articles and abstracts published in journals covered by the Science Citation Index. STATE OF ART: Factors V and VIII are homologous, high molecular weight glycoproteins with similar functional properties. Factors Va and VIIIa bind to negatively charged phospholipid and function as high affinity receptors/cofactors for factors Xa and IXa, respectively. Factors Va and VIIIa account for at least a 10(3) increase in the rate of activation of prothrombin and factor Xa, respectively. The potent anticoagulant activity of APC is mediated by the degradation of factors VIIIa and Va, resulting in inhibition of both Xase and prothrombinase activities. APC specifically degrades the membrane-bound activated forms of factors V and VIII, whereas the unactivated factors V and VIII are poor substrates for APC. Mature human protein S is a single chain glycoprotein composed of multiple domains, including a thrombin-sensitive region. Protein S acts as a cofactor to activated protein C. Thus function of protein S is lost upon thrombin cleavage, suggesting that the thrombin-sensitive region interacts with APC on the phospholid surface. PERSPECTIVES: Recent data suggest that factor V and protein S work in synergy as phospholipid-bound cofactors to APC in the degradation of factor VIIIa and that factor VIIIa is preferred over factor Va as APC-substrate. Thus complicated multimolecular complexes, which are the result of protein-protein as well as protein-phospholipid interactions, appear to form the basis for efficient cleavage and inhibition of factors VIIIa and Va.

Blood Coagulation↗

Localization of the inhibitory site(s) of pentosan polysulphate in blood coagulation.

We studied the inhibitory effect of pentosan polysulphate (PPS, Hémoclar) on thrombin formation in blood coagulation. In contrast to a current hypothesis the antithrombin III independent effect of PPS on blood coagulation is not caused by preventing the binding of the factors IX, IXa, X, Xa, VIII, V, Va and II onto procoagulant phospholipids. We investigated the activation by thrombin of factors I, V and VIII. A strong inhibitory effect of PPS on factor VIII activation could be observed. Inhibition of the activation of factor V to the same extent requires about 30-fold higher concentrations of PPS, whereas the activation (clotting) of fibrinogen is not inhibited. The effect of PPS on factor VIIIa is two-fold: A) it inhibits its formation and B) it inhibits its function probably by the formation of a factor VIIIa-PPS complex. Prothrombinase, constituted of purified factors Xa, Va and phospholipids was not inhibited by PPS, neither were incomplete forms of this enzyme, lacking phospholipids or factor Va. The complete factor X activating enzyme (factors IXa, VIIIa and phospholipids), however, was strongly inhibited, but incomplete forms, lacking factor VIII, were not. The inhibition of the complete enzyme can be explained by reversible binding of PPS to factor VIIIa (causing an inhibition of its function) and it is not an effect on the enzymatic function of the complete enzyme. On saturation of the enzyme with an excess of factor VIIIa no inhibition by PPS is noticed. We postulate therefore that the antithrombin III independent inhibitory effect of PPS on thrombin generation on blood coagulation is by interaction with factor VIIIa. This effect is additional to the heparin-like action of PPS, i.e. potentiation of the activity of antithrombin III and/or heparin cofactor II.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Blood Coagulation Tests↗

Blood coagulation.

The process of tissue factor initiated blood coagulation is discussed. Reactions of the blood coagulation cascade are propagated by complex enzymes containing a vitamin K-dependent serine protease and an accessory cofactor protein that are assembled on a membrane surface in a calcium-dependent manner. These complexes are 105-109-fold more efficient in proteolyses of their natural substrates than enzymes alone. Based upon data acquired using several in vitro models of blood coagulation, tissue factor initiated thrombin generation can be divided into two phases: an initiation phase and a propagation phase. The initiation phase is characterized by the generation of nanomolar amounts of thrombin, femto- to picomolar amounts of factors VIIa, IXa, Xa, and XIa, partial activation of platelets, and almost quantitative activation of procofactors, factors V and VIII. The duration of this phase is primarily influenced by concentrations of tissue factor and TFPI. The characteristic features of the propagation phase are: almost quantitative prothrombin activation at a high rate, completion of platelet activation, and solid clot formation. This phase is primarily regulated by antithrombin III and the protein C system. Thrombin generation during the propagation phase is remarkably suppressed in the absence of factor VIII and IX (hemophilia A and B, respectively) and at platelet counts <5% of mean plasma concentration. The majority of data accumulated in in vitro models and discussed in this review are in good agreement with the results of in vivo observations.

Blood Coagulation↗

Evidence against collagen activation of platelet-associated factor XI as a mechanism for initiating intrinsic clotting.

Collagen activation of platelet-associated Factor XI has been proposed as a mechanism for initiating intrinsic clotting independent of Factor XII. Since this could explain the lack of bleeding in patients with hereditary Factor XII deficiency, prekallikrein deficiency and high molecular weight kininogen deficiency, we subjected the hypothesis to rigorous testing. Incubation of isolated platelets with collagen and calcium ions failed to generate activity shortening the clotting time of an activated Factor XI (XIa) assay that had been modified to eliminate effects due to platelet-associated activated Factor V. Nor could generation of traces of Factor XIa in such mixtures be detected by incubation with purified Factor IX and testing for the generation of activated Factor IX (IXa) in clotting and amidolytic assays. Moreover, when blood or platelet-rich plasma containing added 125I-Factor IX was incubated with calcium ions and collagen and then subjected to reduced sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, the radioactivity profiles revealed only native 125I-Factor IX without evidence of the polypeptide chains of Factor IXa. The negative results of this study mitigate against the hypothesis that collagen activation of platelet-associated Factor XI represents a physiologically significant mechanism for initiating clotting independent of Factor XII.

Animals↗

Activation of human factor VII by activated factors IX and X.

Factor VII clotting activity increases about five-fold when blood is clotted in glass. Prior studies suggested that this results from activation induced by activated factor IX (IXa). However, in purified systems containing phospholipid and calcium, activated factor X (Xa) is known to activate factor VII rapidly. Therefore, we studied activation of factor VII by IXa and X, in systems using purified human factors. Concentrations of IXa and Xa were calculated from total activated protein concentrations rather than from active site concentrations. In the presence of phospolipid and calcium, both IXa and Xa activated factor VII 25-fold; however, Xa was roughly 800 times more efficient than IXa. Without added phospholipid, activation of factor VII by both Xa and IXa was markedly slowed, and Xa was roughly 20 times more efficient than IXa. When both phospholipid and calcium were omitted, activation of factor VII by either enzyme was negligible. Adding normal prothrombin, but not decarboxylated prothrombin, substantially slowed activation of factor VII by both Xa and IXa. Adding thrombin-activated factor VIII and antithrombin-III did not change rates of factor VII activation by either enzyme. These results from purified systems do not provide an explanation for the prior data from plasma systems.

Blood Coagulation Tests↗

Phosphorothioate oligonucleotides inhibit the intrinsic tenase complex.

Systemic administration of ISIS 2302, a 20-mer antisense phosphorothioate oligonucleotide targeting human intercellular adhesion molecule-1 mRNA, causes prolongation of plasma clotting times in both monkey and human studies. The anticoagulant effects of ISIS 2302 were investigated with both in vitro coagulation assays in human plasma and purified enzyme systems. At high oligonucleotide plasma concentrations (>100 microgram/mL), prolongation of the prothrombin and thrombin times was observed. In a thrombin time assay using purified components, high concentrations of ISIS 2302 inhibited thrombin clotting activity both by stimulating inhibition by heparin cofactor II and directly competing with fibrinogen for binding to anion binding exosite I. In contrast, low concentrations of ISIS 2302 (<100 microgram/mL) showed a selective, linear prolongation of the activated partial thromboplastin time (PTT). The rate limiting effect of 50 microgram/mL ISIS 2302, which prolonged the PTT to 1.5 times control, was identified by sequential modification of the clotting assay. Delaying addition of oligonucleotide until after contact activation failed to correct prolongation of the PTT. The calcium-dependent steps of the intrinsic pathway were individually assessed by adding sufficient activated coagulation factor to correct the PTT in plasma deficient in that specific factor. Addition of factor XIa, IXa, VIIIa, or Va failed to correct the PTT in the presence of ISIS 2302. In contrast, 0.2 nmol/L factor Xa corrected prolongation of the PTT in factor X-deficient plasma with or without oligonucleotide present. ISIS 2302 (50 microgram/mL) did not prolong a modified Russel viper venom time, suggesting no significant inhibition of prothrombinase. Thus, 50 microgram/mL ISIS 2302 prolonged the PTT by selectively inhibiting intrinsic tenase activity. ISIS 2302 showed partial inhibition of intrinsic tenase activity (to approximately 35% of control) at clinically relevant oligonucleotide concentrations in a chromogenic assay. This activity was oligonucleotide sequence-independent but required the phosphorothioate backbone, suggesting that inhibition of intrinsic tenase is a general property of this class of oligonucleotides. These results are relevant to both the therapeutic use of phosphorothioate oligonucleotides and the potential design of inhibitors of the intrinsic tenase complex, a novel target for anticoagulation.

Animals↗

Specific regulation of procoagulant activity on monocytes. Intrinsic pathway inhibition by chondroitin 4,6-disulfate.

Hypercoagulability of blood, monocytic infiltration, and changes in pericellular and extracellular matrix glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) are observed in atherosclerosis, inflammation, and neoplasia. In the present studies, monocyte procoagulants and different GAGs including chondroitin sulfate (CS) A, CSB, CSC, CSD, CSE, and heparan sulfate, were tested either in clotting assays with whole plasma or in chromogenic assays with purified coagulation proteases. Procoagulant activity in plasma was inhibited by three of the seven GAGs, including heparan sulfate, CSE, and CSB. In contrast, activity of purified coagulation protease was inhibited only by CSE, and the inhibition was observed with intrinsic (factor VIIIa/IXa) but not extrinsic (tissue factor/factor VII) components. Reciprocal titration experiments with enzyme and substrate and Scatchard type analyses were consistent with concentration-dependent inhibitory interactions between CSE and sites on both factor VIIIa and IXa. On purified phospholipids, CSE concentration resulting in half-maximal inhibition (Ki) was 5 ng/ml for interaction with factor IXa and > 500 ng/ml for interaction with factor VIIIa. The Ki values were lower for reactions on purified lipid than for reactions on monocyte surfaces and for reactions on resting than on endotoxin-stimulated monocytes. Experiments with CSE oligosaccharides of defined size indicated that the smallest CSE fragment capable of inhibitory activity was composed of 12-18 monosaccharide units. Collectively, these results indicate that factor X-activating reactions are inhibited by GAGs expressed on monocyte membranes. Inhibition is specific with respect to the structure of both the GAG and the activating protease. Lack of inhibition by added CSA, CSB, and CSC in contrast to CSE strongly suggests a direct role of 4,6-di-O-sulfated N-acetylgalactosamine GAG structures in the inhibition of intrinsic pathway protease. These findings also suggest potential pharmacologic use of CSE as specific anticoagulant in the management of prothrombotic states mediated by intrinsic pathway coagulation reactions.

Brain↗

The Na+ binding channel of human coagulation proteases: novel insights on the structure and allosteric modulation revealed by molecular surface analysis.

Thrombovascular diseases result from imbalanced haemostasis and comprise important health problems in the aging population worldwide. The activity of enzymes pertaining to the coagulation cascade of mammalians exhibit several control mechanisms in order to maintain a proper balance between bleeding and thrombosis. For instance, human coagulation serine proteases carrying a F225 or Y225 are allosteric modulated by the binding of Na+ in a water-filled channel connected to the primary specificity pocket (S1 subsite) of these enzymes. We have characterized the structure, topography and lipophilicity of this channel in the ligand-free fast (sodium-bound) and slow (sodium-free) forms of thrombin, in the sole available structure of activated protein C and in several structures of the coagulation factors VIIa, IXa and Xa, differing in the nature of the bound inhibitor and in the occupancy of exosite-I as well as the Ca2+ and Na+ binding sites. Opposite to thrombin, the aqueous channels in all other coagulation enzymes sheltering a Na+ binding site do not have an aperture on the enzyme surface opposite to the S1 subsite entrance. In these enzymes, the lack of the three-residue insertion in loop 1 (183-189) as found in thrombin allied to compensatory mutations in the positions 187-185 and 222 effects a constriction in the water-filled channel that ends up by segregating the ion binding site from the S1 subsite. We also disclosed major topographical changes on the thrombin's surface upon sodium release and transition to the slow form that culminate in the narrowing of the S1 subsite entrance and, strikingly, in the loss of communication between the primary specificity pocket and the exosite-I. Such observation is in accordance with existing experimental data demonstrating thermodynamic linkage between these distant regions on the thrombin surface. Conformational changes in F34, L40, R73 and T74 were the main responsible for this effect. A path by which these changes in the vicinity of exosite-I could be transmitted to the S1 subsite and, consequently, to the sodium binding site is proposed.

Allosteric Regulation↗

Expression of blood clotting factor VIII:C gene in capillary endothelial cells.

The essential role of Factor VIII:C (FVIII:C, anti-hemophilia factor A) as a cofactor for Factor IXa-dependent activation of Factor X has been established. In this paper, we describe that capillary endothelial cells from bovine adrenal medulla express active FVIII:C gene. Accumulation of FVIII:C in conditioned media from an 8-day-old culture is approximately twice as high as that stored in the cell when immunoprecipitated FVIII:C was analyzed for its ability to convert Factor X to Factor Xa. Analysis of [35S]methionine-labeled and immunoprecipitated FVIII:C from cells or conditioned media on SDS-PAGE under fully denatured conditions indicated that the newly synthesized FVIII:C consists of heavy chain of M(r) 200,000 and light chain of M(r) 46,000. The secreted FVIII:C in the non-reduced condition however, has a molecular weight of 270,000 which suggests that in native protein, the heavy and light chains are held together by S-S bonds. Furthermore, susceptibility of the immunoprecipitated FVIII:C to N-glycanase digestion establishes that the endothelial cells derived FVIII:C contains asparagine-linked carbohydrate side chains.

Adrenal Medulla↗

Studies on prekallikrein of bovine plasma. II. Activation of prekallikrein with proteinases and properties of kallikrein activated by bovine Hageman factor.

Activation of bovine plasma prekallikrein was investigated with several proteinases. Highly purified bovine plasma prekallikrein was rapidly activated to kallikrein [EC 3.4.21.8] by bovine activated Hageman factor, trypsin [EC 3.4.21.4] and Pronase P (proteinases from Streptomyces griseus) and more gradually by papain [EC 3.4.22.2] and ficin [EC 3.4.22.3]. Activation of prekallikrein was also observed with bovine plasmin [EC 3.4.21.7], but not with bovine clotting factors Xa (Stuart factor) [EC 3.4.21.6] and IXa (Christmas factor) or thrombin [EC 3.4.21.5]. Urokinase [EC 3.4.99.26], Reptilase, collagenase [EC 3.4.24.3], elastase [EC 3.4.21.11], alpha-chymotrypsin [EC 3.4.21.1], Nagarse [EC 3.4.21.14], and stem bromelain [EC 3.4.22 4] did not convert prekallikrein to kallikrein. Plasma kallikrein activated to Hageman factor released kinin rapidly from bovine high molecular weight (HMW) kininogen. However, from bovine low molecular weight (LMW) kininogen, liberation of kinin was extremely slow. The kallikrein activity was inhibited by soybean trypsin inhibitor (SBTI), Trasylol, diisopropylfluorophosphate (DFP), and N-alpha-tosyl-L-lysine chloromethylketone (TLCK), but not by egg-white trypsin inhibitor (EWTI), lima bean trypsin inhibitor (LBTI), heparin or hexadimethrine bromide (Polybrene). The kallikrein formed an enzyme-inhibitor complex with SBTI and Trasylol, but not with LBTI. Prekallikrein did not react with SBTI. Prekallikrein consists of a single polypeptide chain of molecular weight about 90,000, as estimated by sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Activation of prekallikrein by Hageman factor was found to involve cleavage of the single peptide bond on the disulfide-bridged polypeptide chain, and no change of molecular weight was observed during the activation. The peptide bond cleaved in prekallikrein by the activation was an Arg-X peptide bond on a disulfide-bridged polypeptide chain.

Animals↗

Identification of individual tyrosine sulfation sites within factor VIII required for optimal activity and efficient thrombin cleavage.

Factor VIII functions as an essential cofactor in the blood coagulation cascade for the factor IXa-mediated activation of factor X. Factor VIII contains 6 tyrosine residues at positions 346, 718, 719, 723, 1664, and 1680 that are modified by post-translational sulfation. This modification is required for full factor VIII procoagulant activity. We have employed site-directed mutagenesis to identify the individual sulfated tyrosines within factor VIII that influence activity. The molecules were expressed in COS-1 monkey cells by transient transfection, and the resultant proteins were characterized. Metabolic incorporation of [35S]sulfate demonstrated that all 6 tyrosine residues are sulfated in factor VIII. Sulfation at residues 346 and 1664 was required for full activity in a factor VIII clotting assay but did not affect factor VIII activity monitored by a factor Xa generation assay. The Tyr346-->Phe and Tyr1664-->Phe mutants displayed delayed thrombin activation that correlated with delayed cleavage at residues 372 and 1689, respectively. In contrast, these mutants were efficiently activated by factor Xa. A triple Tyr to Phe mutant at residues 718, 719, and 723 displayed both reduced factor VIII clotting activity and factor Xa generation activity. Finally, a Tyr1680-->Phe mutant factor VIII displayed a 5-fold reduced affinity for von Willebrand factor. The results demonstrate that 1) sulfation at tyrosine residues 346 and 1664 increases factor VIII activity by increasing the rate of thrombin activation and cleavage; 2) sulfation at tyrosine residues 718, 719, and 723 increases the intrinsic activity of factor VIIIa; and 3) sulfation at tyrosine residue 1680 increases the affinity for vWF. In addition, the results implicate that thrombin interacts with three distinct sites within factor VIII, two of which are required for proteolytic activation. The results demonstrate that the six sites of tyrosine sulfation modulate factor VIII activity through different mechanisms.

Amino Acid Sequence↗