Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “Factor IXa”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

The factor IXa second epidermal growth factor (EGF2) domain mediates platelet binding and assembly of the factor X activating complex.

Previously we have determined that residues 88-109 (but not Arg(94)) in the second epidermal growth factor (EGF2)-like domain of factor IXa (FIXa) are important for assembly of the factor X (FX) activating complex on phospholipid vesicles (Wilkinson, F. H., London, F. S., and Walsh, P. N. (2002) J. Biol. Chem. 277, 5725-5733). Here we report that these residues are important for platelet binding affinity, stoichiometry, and assembly of the FX activating complex. We prepared several chimeric FIXa proteins using homologous sequences from factor VII (FVII): FIXa(FVIIEGF2) (FIX Delta 88-124,inverted Delta FVII91-127), FIXa(loop1) (FIX Delta 88-99,inverted Delta FVII91-102), FIXa(loop2) (FIX Delta 95-109,inverted Delta FVII98-112), and FIXa(loop3) (FIX Delta 111-124,inverted Delta FVII114-127) and tested their ability to bind to thrombin-activated platelets. Binding affinities (K(d) values in 10(-9) m) for the proteins were as follows in the presence and absence of FVIIIa, respectively: FIXa(N) (0.55 +/- 0.06, 2.9 +/- 0.45), FIXa(WT) (0.80 +/- 0.08, 3.5 +/- 0.5), FIXa(loop1) (19 +/- 4.0, 27 +/- 5.0), FIXa(loop2) (35 +/- 9.0, 65 +/- 12.0), and FIXa(loop3) (1.1 +/- 0.09, 5.0 +/- 0.90). These K(d) values are in good agreement with K((d)(app)) values (in 10(-9) m) determined from the activation of FX (in the presence and absence of FVIIIa, respectively): FIXa(N) (0.46 +/- 0.05, 1.40 +/- 0.14), FIXa(WT) (0.72 +/- 0.08, 3.8 +/- 0.08), FIXa(loop1) (3.2 +/- 0.72, 14.0 +/- 1.60), FIXa(loop2) (18.4 +/- 1.60, 26.3 +/- 3.40), and FIXa(loop3) (0.7 +/- 0.05, 3.0 +/- 0.15). Moreover, the stoichiometry of binding (sites/platelet) showed an agreement with V(max) of FX activation and was reduced in those proteins that also showed a decreased platelet binding affinity. A peptide corresponding to the FIX EGF2 domain (Leu(84)-Val(128)) was an effective inhibitor of FIXa binding to platelets in both the presence (K(i) = 0.7 x 10(-6) m) and the absence (K(i) = 1.5 x 10(-6) m) of FVIIIa and FX. We conclude that residues 88-109 of the FIXa EGF2 domain mediate binding to platelets and assembly of the FX activating complex.ut not Ar

Amino Acid Sequence↗

The role of the first growth factor domain of human factor IXa in binding to platelets and in factor X activation.

We have recently shown that thrombin-stimulated human platelets have specific, saturable receptors for factor IXa, occupancy of which promotes factor X activation (Ahmad, S. S., Rawala-Sheikh, R., and Walsh, P.N. (1989) J. Biol. Chem. 264, 3244-3251, 20012-20016; Rawala-Sheikh, R., Ahmad, S. S., and Walsh, P. N. (1990) Biochemistry 29, 2606-2611). To study the structural requirements for factor IXa binding to platelets, we have carried out equilibrium binding studies with human factor IXa after replacing the first epidermal growth factor (EGF) domain by the corresponding polypeptide region of factor X (Lin, S.-W., Smith, K. J., Welsch, D., and Stafford, D. W. (1990) J. Biol. Chem. 265, 144-150). The chimeric protein, factor IX(Xegf1), as well as the wild-type, factor IXwt, produced in embryo kidney cells, and factor IX isolated from human plasma were radiolabeled with 125I and activated with factor XIa. Direct binding studies with thrombin-activated platelets showed normal stoichiometry and affinity of binding of factor IXa(Xegf1) (566 sites/platelet, Kd = 0.69 nM) and factor IXawt (590 sites/platelet, Kd = 0.61 nM) in the presence of factor VIIIa (5 units/ml) and factor X (1.5 microM) compared to factor IXaN (558 sites/platelet, Kd = 0.67 nM). The concentration of factor IXaN, factor IXawt, and factor IXa(Xegf1) required for half-maximal rates of factor Xa formation were 0.63, 0.7, and 0.83 nM, indicating that the Kdapp for binding of factor IXa(Xegf1) to the factor X activating complex on activated platelets is normal. These studies suggest either that the EGF-1 domain of factor IXa is not involved in factor IXa binding to platelets or that the EGF-1 domain from factor X when inserted into factor IXa, suffices to promote normal factor IXa binding.

Autoradiography↗

The A1 and A2 subunits of factor VIIIa synergistically stimulate factor IXa catalytic activity.

Factor VIIIa, the protein cofactor for factor IXa, is comprised of A1, A2, and A3-C1-C2 subunits. Recently, we showed that isolated A2 subunit enhanced the kcat for factor IXa-catalyzed activation of factor X by approximately 100-fold ( approximately 1 min-1), whereas isolated A1 or A3-C1-C2 subunits showed no effect on this rate (Fay, P. J., and Koshibu, K. J. (1998) J. Biol. Chem. 273, 19049-19054). However, A1 subunit increased the A2-dependent stimulation by approximately 10-fold. The Km for factor X in the presence of A2 subunit was unaffected by A1 subunit, whereas the kcat observed in the presence of saturating A1 and A2 subunits ( approximately 15 min-1) represented 5-10% of the value observed for native factor VIIIa (approximately 200 min-1). An anti-A1 subunit antibody that blocks the association of A2 eliminated the A1-dependent contribution to factor IXa activity. Inclusion of both A1 and A2 subunits resulted in greater increases in the fluorescence anisotropy of fluorescein-Phe-Phe-Arg factor IXa than that observed for A2 subunit alone and approached values obtained with factor VIIIa. These results indicate that A1 subunit alters the A2 subunit-dependent modulation of the active site of factor IXa to synergistically increase cofactor activity, yielding an overall increase in kcat of over 1000-fold compared with factor IXa alone.

Antibodies↗

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

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

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Down-regulation of factor IXa in the factor Xase complex by protein Z-dependent protease inhibitor.

Protein Z-dependent protease inhibitor (ZPI) is a serpin inhibitor of coagulation factor (F) Xa dependent on protein Z, Ca2+, and phospholipids. In new studies, ZPI inhibited FIXa in the FXase complex. Since this observation could merely represent inhibition of the FXa product whose activity was measured, inhibition of FIXa was investigated five ways. 1) FXase incubation mixtures with/without ZPI/protein Z were diluted in EDTA; FXa activity was measured after reversal of its inhibition. 2) FXase incubation mixtures were immunoblotted for FXa product. 3) FX activation peptide region was 3H-labeled; release of 3H was used to measure FXase activity. 4) Activity was monitored in a FIXa-based clotting assay. 5) FIXa amidolytic activity was measured. In all cases, FIXa was inhibited by subphysiologic levels of ZPI. Unlike inhibition of FXa, inhibition of FIXa did not strictly require protein Z. Low concentrations of FVIIIa increased the efficiency of ZPI inhibition of FIXa; FVIIIa in molar excess was not protective of FIXa unless FIXa/FVIIIa interacted prior to ZPI exposure. Unusual time courses were observed for inhibition of both FIXa in the FXase complex and FXa in the prothrombinase complex. Activity loss stabilized in <100 s at a level dependent on ZPI concentration, suggesting equilibrium interactions rather than typical covalent serpin-protease interactions. Surface plasmon resonance binding experiments revealed binding and dissociation of ZPI/FIXa with Kd (app) of 9-12 nm, similar to the concentration of ZPI needed for 50% inhibition. ZPI may be an unusual physiologic regulator of both the intrinsic FXase and the prothrombinase complexes.

Blood Coagulation Factors↗

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

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

Binding Sites↗

The role of the second growth-factor domain of human factor IXa in binding to platelets and in factor-X activation.

To study the structural requirements for factor IXa binding to platelets, we have carried out equilibrium binding studies with human factor IXa after replacing the second epidermal growth factor (EGF) domain by the corresponding polypeptide region of factor X. The chimeric protein, factor IX(Xegf2), and the wild-type, factor IXwt, produced in embryonic kidney cells 293 were radiolabelled with 125I and activated with factor XIa. Direct binding studies with thrombin-activated platelets showed normal stoichiometry and affinity of binding of factor IXawt in the presence of factor VIIIa (2 units/ml) and factor X (1.5 microM). However, under similar experimental conditions, factor IXa(Xegf2) was bound to a smaller number of sites (396 sites/platelet) with decreased affinity, i.e. a dissociation constant (Kd) of 1.4 nM, compared with normal factor IXa, factor IXaN (558 sites/platelet; Kd 0.67 nM), or factor IXawt (590 sites/platelet; Kd 0.61 nM). The concentrations of factor IXaN and factor IXawt required for half-maximal rates of factor-X activation were 0.63 nM and 0.7 nM, indicating a close correspondence of the Kd,app. for binding of factor IXawt to the factor-X activating complex on activated platelets to the Kd obtained in equilibrium binding studies. In contrast, kinetic parameters for factor-X activation by factor IXa(Xegf2) showed a decreased affinity (Kd 1.5 nM), in agreement with results of binding studies. These studies with factor IX(Xegf2) suggest that the EGF-2 domain may be important for specific high-affinity factor IXa binding to platelets in the presence of factor VIIIa and factor X.

Binding Sites↗

The role of human factor X activation peptide in activation of factor X by factor IXa.

We studied the interaction of factor X activation peptide (XAP) with factor IXa and factor Xa and the effect of XAP on factor IXa-catalyzed activation of factor X. XAP associated with factor Xa in the presence of 5 mM Ca2+ was dissociated from factor Xa by gel chromatography using Ultrogel AcA54 in 5 mM EDTA, or in 8 M urea-0.1% SDS. An exogenous isolated XAP inhibited the factor IXa-catalyzed factor X activation both in the presence and absence of factor VIIIa. 4-Amidinophenylmethylsulfonyl (aPMS)-factor Xa independent of XAP also inhibited the factor X activation more effectively than XAP alone in the presence of factor VIIIa. However, aPMS-factor Xa independent of XAP hardly inhibited the factor X activation in the absence of factor VIIIa. The binding of 125I-labeled factor X to the aPMS-factor IXa fixed to a microwell plate was inhibited by unlabeled factor X or XAP, but not by aPMS-factor Xa with or without XAP. Factor IXa directly bound to XAP and aPMS-factor Xa with XAP, but did not bind to aPMS-factor Xa without XAP. These findings suggest that the region of XAP in factor X directly interacts with factor IXa, and factor Xa region other than XAP interacts with factor VIIIa. Desialation or deletion of N-linked carbohydrates of XAP reduced the inhibitory activity of XAP for the factor X activation by factor IXa to approximately 50% of that of the intact XAP. This suggests that the sialic acids in the carbohydrate chains of the XAP region partly contribute to the interaction with factor IXa during its activation.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Comparative interactions of factor IX and factor IXa with human platelets.

Both factor IX and factor IXa were bound to gel filtered platelets in the presence of CaCl2 (2-20 mM) and human alpha-thrombin (0.06-0.2 units/ml) with maximal binding occurring in 10-20 min at 37 degrees C, and rapid reversibility was observed when unlabeled ligands were added in 100-fold molar excess. Competition studies with various coagulation proteins revealed that neither factor XI nor high molecular weight kininogen, at 300-fold molar excess, could compete with 125I-labeled factor IXa for binding sites on thrombin-activated platelets, whereas prothrombin and factor X, in 450-fold molar excess, could displace approximately 15 and 35%, respectively, of bound factor IXa in the absence of added factor VIII. Analysis of saturation binding data in the presence of CaCl2 and thrombin without factors VIII and X indicated the presence of 306 (+/- 57) binding sites per platelet for factor IX (Kd(app) = 2.68 +/- 0.25 nM) and 515 (+/- 39) sites per platelet for factor IXa (Kd = 2.57 +/- 0.14 nM). In the presence of thrombin-activated factor VIII (1-5 units/ml) and factor X (0.15-1.5 microM), the number of sites for factor IX was 316 (+/- 50) with Kd = 2.44 (+/- 0.30) nM and for factor IXa 551 (+/- 48) sites per platelet (Kd = 0.56 +/- 0.05 nM). Studies of competition for bound factor IXa by excess unlabeled factor IX or factor IXa, and direct 125I-labeled factor IXa binding studies in the presence of large molar excesses of factor IX, confirmed the conclusion from these studies that factor IX and factor IXa share approximately 300 low-affinity binding sites per thrombin-activated platelet in the presence of Ca2+ and in the absence of factor VIII and factor X, with an additional 200-250 sites for factor IXa with Kd(app) similar to that for factor IX. The presence of factor VIII and factor X increases by 5-fold the affinity of receptors on thrombin-activated platelets for factor IXa that participate in factor X activation.

Binding, Competitive↗

Activation of human factor VII by factors IXa and Xa on human bladder carcinoma cells.

Single chain factor VII is converted by limited proteolysis to its activated form, factor VIIa, by a number of blood coagulation proteases including factor IXa and factor Xa. We have determined the relative rate of human factor VII activation by human factors IXa and Xa in two different systems: one containing Ca++ and human bladder carcinoma (J82) cells, and the other containing Ca++ and mixed brain phospholipids. The rate of factor VII activation was determined by a one stage coagulation assay, and proteolytic cleavage of factor VII was assessed by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and Western blotting techniques. On a molar basis, factor Xa was sixfold more efficient than factor IXa beta in activating factor VII when the activation reaction occurs on J82 cell surfaces. In contrast, when incubation takes place in a suspension of mixed phospholipids, factor Xa was 18-fold more efficient in activating factor VII than factor IXa beta. In addition, factor IXa alpha activated factor VII at a rate approximately one-half that observed using factor IXa beta. In the absence of cells or phospholipids, no activation of factor VII by either factors IXa or Xa was observed. The addition of stoichiometric amounts of either recombinant human factor VIII (des B-domain) or plasma-derived factor VIIIa failed to augment the rate of factor VII activation by either factors IXa alpha or IXa beta. Likewise, purified human factor Va failed to influence the rate of factor VII activation by factor Xa in either system. Collectively, our studies reveal that J82 cells possess procoagulant phospholipid capable of readily supporting the activation of factor VII by either factors IXa beta or Xa. Our data also demonstrate that the relative ability of factor IXa beta and Xa to activate factor VII is significantly different when these reactions occur on tumor cell surfaces as compared with suspensions of mixed phospholipids.

Blood Coagulation Tests↗

Factors IXa and Xa play distinct roles in tissue factor-dependent initiation of coagulation.

Tissue factor is the major initiator of coagulation. Both factor IX and factor X are activated by the complex of factor VIIa and tissue factor (VIIa/TF). The goal of this study was to determine the specific roles of factors IXa and Xa in initiating coagulation. We used a model system of in vitro coagulation initiated by VIIa/TF and that included unactivated platelets and plasma concentrations of factors II, V, VIII, IX, and X, tissue factor pathway inhibitor, and antithrombin III. In some cases, factor IX and/or factor X were activated by tissue factor-bearing monocytes, but in some experiments, picomolar concentrations of preactivated factor IX or factor X were used to initiate the reactions. Timed samples were assayed for both platelet activation and thrombin activity. Factor Xa was 10 times more potent than factor IXa in initiating platelet activation, but factor IXa was much more effective in promoting thrombin generation than was factor Xa. In the presence of VIIa/TF, factor X was required for both platelet activation and thrombin generation, while factor IX was only required for thrombin generation. We conclude that VIIa/TF-activated factors IXa and Xa have distinct physiologic roles. The main role of factor Xa that is initially activated by VIIa/TF is to activate platelets by generating an initial, small amount of thrombin in the vicinity of platelets. Factor IXa, on the other hand, enhances thrombin generation by providing factor Xa on the platelet surface, leading to prothrombinase formation. Only tiny amounts of factors IX and X need to be activated by VIIa/TF to perform these distinct functions. Our experiments show that initiation of coagulation is highly dependent on activation of small amounts of factors IXa and Xa in proximity to platelet surfaces and that these factors play distinct roles in subsequent events, leading to an explosion of thrombin generation. Furthermore, the specific roles of factors IXa and Xa generated by VIIa/TF are not necessarily reflected by the kinetics of factor IXa and Xa generation.

Blood Coagulation↗

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

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

Autoradiography↗

Heparin inhibits the intrinsic tenase complex by interacting with an exosite on factor IXa.

The specific molecular target for direct heparin inhibition of factor X activation by intrinsic tenase (factor IXa-factor VIIIa) was investigated. Comparison of size-fractionated oligosaccharides demonstrated that an octasaccharide was sufficient to inhibit intrinsic tenase. Substitution of soluble dihexanoic phosphatidylserine (C6PS) for phospholipid (PL) vesicles demonstrated that inhibition by low-molecular weight heparin (LMWH) was independent of factor IXa-factor VIIIa membrane assembly. LMWH also inhibited factor X activation by the factor IXa-PL complex via a distinct mechanism that required longer oligosaccharides and was independent of substrate concentrations. The apparent affinity of LMWH for the factor IXa-PL complex was higher in the absence of factor VIIIa, suggesting that the cofactor adversely affected the interaction of heparin with factor IXa-phospholipid. LMWH did not interact directly with the active site, as it failed to inhibit chromogenic substrate cleavage by the factor IXa-PL complex. LMWH induced a modest decrease in factor IXa-factor VIIIa affinity [K(D(app))] on PL vesicles that did not account for the inhibition. In contrast, LMWH caused a substantial reduction in factor IXa-factor VIIIa affinity in the presence of C6PS that fully accounted for the inhibition. Factor IXa bound LMWH with significantly higher affinity than factor X by competition solution affinity analysis, and the K(D(app)) for the factor IXa-LMWH complex agreed with the K(I) for inhibition of the factor IXa-PL complex by LMWH. Thus, LMWH binds to an exosite on factor IXa that antagonizes cofactor activity without disrupting factor IXa-factor VIIIa assembly on the PL surface. This exosite may contribute to the clinical efficacy of heparin and represents a novel target for antithrombotic therapy.

Binding Sites↗

Activation of factor VIII by factor IXa.

Thrombin causes an increase in factor VIII coagulant (VIII:C) activity, which is followed by a decay of VIII:C activity to below baseline levels. It has been suggested that a similar interaction of trace amounts of thrombin and factor VIII is a necessary prerequisite before factor VIII can participate in the coagulation cascade. In the current study, factor IXa, a serine protease with structural similarities to thrombin, is shown to cause an increase and subsequent fall in VIII:C in a manner qualitatively similar to the reaction with thrombin. The reaction is inhibited by a human inhibitor to factor IX and the interaction appears to involve only VIII:C, since factor-VIII-related protein (VIII:RP) is not changed on polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) or radioimmunoassay during the reaction. Phospholipid increases the activation of factor VIII by factor IXa, and high concentrations of diisopropylfluorophosphate and hirudin inhibit the reaction. The physiologic significance of the interaction of factor IXa with factor VIII is not entirely clear since the concentration of factor IXa needed for activation is much greater than the concentration of thrombin required for similar activation of factor VIII. Factor IXa is most likely to play a role in the intrinsic cascade acting as an initial activator of factor VIII, since factor IXa precedes thrombin in this clotting sequence. In addition, factor IXa may be important wherever relatively high local concentrations of factor IXa and factor VIII occur, particularly in the presence of phospholipid, which may serve to localize the coagulation factors.

Animals↗

Stabilization of thrombin-activated porcine factor VIII:C by factor IXa phospholipid.

The activation of porcine factor X by an enzymatic complex consisting of activated factor IX (factor IXa), thrombin-activated factor VIII:C (factor VIII:Ca), phospholipid vesicles, and calcium was studied in the presence of an irreversible inhibitor of factor Xa, 5-dimethylamino-naphthalene-1-sulfonyl-glutamyl-glycyl-arginyl- chloro met hyl ketone ( DEGR -CK). The formation of factor Xa was measured continuously by monitoring the increase in solution fluorescence intensity that occurs upon formation of DEGR -factor Xa. Omission of any component from the enzymatic complex reduced the reaction rate to a negligible level. In the presence of fixed excess factor IXa, the velocity of factor X activation was linearly dependent on the concentration of factor VIII:C, and thus, provided a plasma-free assay of factor VIII:C. Activation of factor VIII:C by 0.1 NIH U/ml thrombin in the presence of factor IXa, phospholipid vesicles, and calcium, followed at variable time intervals by the addition of factor X and DEGR -CK, was complete within 5 min, as judged by the fluorometric assay, and resulted in little or no loss of factor VIII:C activity over a period of 20 min; whereas, activation in the absence of either IXa or phospholipid vesicles decreased the half-life of factor VIII:C to approximately 5 min. Analysis of 125I-factor VIII:C-derived activation peptides by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel radioelectrophoresis revealed identical results, regardless of whether factor IXa and/or phospholipid vesicles were included in the activation, suggesting that the lability of factor VIII:Ca is not due to a major alteration of its primary structure. We conclude that the activated porcine factor VIII:C molecule is stabilized markedly because of its interaction with factor IXa and phospholipid.

Amino Acid Chloromethyl Ketones↗

The significance of circulating factor IXa in blood.

The presence of activation peptides (AP) of the vitamin K-dependent proteins in the phlebotomy blood of human subjects suggests that active serine proteases may circulate in blood as well. The goal of the current study was to evaluate the influence of trace amounts of key coagulation proteases on tissue factor-independent thrombin generation using three models of coagulation. With procoagulants and select coagulation inhibitors at mean physiological concentrations, concentrations of factor IXa, factor Xa, and thrombin were set either equal to those of their AP or to values that would result based upon the rates of AP/enzyme generation and steady state enzyme inhibition. In the latter case, numerical simulation predicts that sufficient thrombin to produce a solid clot would be generated in approximately 2 min. Empirical data from the synthetic plasma suggest clotting times of 3-5 min, which are similar to that observed in contact pathway-inhibited whole blood (4.3 min) initiated with the same concentrations of factors IXa and Xa and thrombin. Numerical simulations performed with the concentrations of two of the enzymes held constant and one varied suggest that the presence of any pair of enzymes is sufficient to yield rapid clot formation. Modeling of states (numerical simulation and whole blood) where only one circulating protease is present at steady state concentration shows significant thrombin generation only for factor IXa. The addition of factor Xa and thrombin has little effect (if any) on thrombin generation induced by factor IXa alone. These data indicate that 1) concentrations of active coagulation enzymes circulating in vivo are significantly lower than can be predicted from the concentrations of their AP, and 2) expected trace amounts of factor IXa can trigger thrombin generation in the absence of tissue factor.

Blood Coagulation↗

gamma-Carboxyglutamic acid (Gla)-domainless blood coagulation factor IXa species: preparation and properties.

To investigate the function of the gamma-carboxyglutamic acid (Gla) residues of factor IXa in the activation of factor X, a new species of bovine factor IXa, designated "factor IXa beta'," and its corresponding Gla-domainless form, designated "Gla-domainless factor IXa beta'," were prepared under controlled conditions and characterized. First, bovine factor IXa alpha was converted by alpha-chymotrypsin in the presence of calcium ions to factor IXa beta' (Mr 47,000). Compared with factor IXa beta, factor IXa beta' had essentially identical activities towards a synthetic substrate, benzoyl-L-arginine ethylester (BAEE), towards an active site titrant, p-nitrophenyl-p'-guanidinobenzoate, and towards protein substrate, namely, factor X. Next, the Gla-rich region (residues 1-41) of the light chain was removed from factor IXa beta' by additional selective cleavage by alpha-chymotrypsin in the absence of calcium ions. Gla-domainless factor IXa beta' was purified to homogeneity on a column of DEAE-Sepharose CL-6B. The heavy chain was not altered by either chymotryptic digestion. Functional comparisons of the three activated forms, namely, factor IXa alpha, factor IXa beta', and Gla-domainless factor IXa beta', with factor IXa beta revealed that all four activated forms of factor IX had one active-site residue per molecule and essentially identical specific esterase activity towards BAEE. However, the clotting activity of Gla-domainless factor IXa beta' was less than 0.5% of that of factor IXa beta'.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

1-Carboxyglutamic Acid↗

Exosite occupation by heparin enhances the reactivity of blood coagulation factor IXa.

Blood coagulation factor IXa (fIXa) is a trypsin-like serine protease with low inherent activity that is greatly enhanced in the factor X activation complex. Molecular details of the conversion of fIXa from an inactive enzyme into a fully functional procoagulant are unclear. Recent studies have identified a heparin-binding exosite in the protease domain of fIXa. Effects of exosite occupation on fIXa activity are unclear. We used the Kunitz-type inhibitor bovine pancreatic trypsin inhibitor (BPTI) to probe fIXa reactivity in the absence and in the presence of heparin. While fIXa alone was poorly reactive with BPTI (K(i) approximately 0.7 mM), this reactivity was increased roughly 20-fold (K(i) = 37 +/- 6 microM) by heparin. This was reproducible with low-molecular-weight heparin (enoxaparin; K(i) = 70 +/- 12 microM). Surface plasmon resonance studies of the interaction between heparin and BPTI indicated an unstable interaction with very low affinity (K(d) = 172 microM). In contrast, kinetic studies revealed a high-affinity interaction between heparin and fIXa (K(d) = 128 +/- 26 nM) and showed that the enhancement of BPTI inhibition of fIXa by heparin was well described by a competitive inhibition model where heparin acts as an affecter of fIXa reactivity with inhibitor. Fluorescence studies with dansyl-EGR-fIXa supported the high-affinity interaction between heparin and fIXa and suggested an altered environment in the fIXa active-site region upon heparin binding. This modulating effect of heparin was supported by the observation of a heparin-induced increase in reactivity of fIXa toward a pentapeptide substrate. When viewed together, the results imply that specific physiological exosite interactions with heparin can induce alterations in the environment of the extended fIXa active site that can result in increased reactivity.

Animals↗