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Procoagulant activity of reversibly acylated human factor Xa.

The plasma clotting factors used to treat hemophiliacs who have developed inhibitory antibodies have a shared history of limited clinical safety and utility. To improve on existing bypass factors, we have developed a reversibly acylated form of human plasma factor Xa capable of providing a time-dependent release of procoagulant activity. Factor Xa was treated with p-amidinophenyl p'-anisate to generate anisoyl Xa. The chemical modification of the protein involves acylation of the active site serine residue of factor Xa. Anisoyl Xa deacylated in a time, pH, and temperature-dependent manner. Active factor Xa generated on deacylation of anisoyl Xa exhibited amidolytic and prothrombinase complex activities in in vitro assays, the level being comparable to those of untreated factor Xa. When Anisoyl Xa was infused into rabbits, active factor Xa was generated on deacylation of the acylated enzyme, which shortened the activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) in a dose-dependent manner. The duration of effect on rabbit APTT could be directly correlated to the level of human plasma factor Xa. Because anisoyl Xa bypasses the "tenase" complex that is compromised in hemophilia A and B and is unaffected by inhibitory antibodies, it has the potential to be used as an effective bypass therapy.

Acylation↗

Assembly of the prothrombinase complex enhances the inhibition of bovine factor Xa by tick anticoagulant peptide.

The interaction of factor Xa with factor Va on a membrane surface results in the assembly of the prothrombinase complex. The highly specific and multistep interaction between recombinant tick anticoagulant peptide (rTAP) and factor Xa was used to probe perturbations in the macromolecular interaction sites of factor Xa that accompany prothrombinase assembly. Steady-state kinetic studies indicated that the incorporation of factor Xa into prothrombinase resulted in a modest 3-fold increase in the rate constant for inhibition by rTAP. However, the overall dissociation constant for the enzyme-inhibitor interaction (Ki*) was decreased approximately 30-fold to 5.3 pM. This finding was verified by fluorescence stopped-flow studies of the multistep reaction between rTAP and solution-phase factor Xa or prothrombinase by using 4-aminobenzamidine. The second-order rate constant for the binding or rTAP to the protease (k + 1 = 3.35 x 10(6) M-1.s-1) was increased approximately 2-fold (k + 1 = 6.6 x 10(6) M-1.s-1) following the assembly of prothrombinase, while the rate constant for the subsequent slow displacement of the fluorophore from the active site of factor Xa was decreased by 20-fold. Therefore, factor Va alters macromolecular interaction sites on factor Xa; which leads to the stabilization of intermediates in the reaction of the protease with rTAP and an increased overall affinity for the inhibition of factor Xa. Fluorescence measurements of prothrombinase assembly using factor Xa modified with dansylglutamylglycinylarginine chloromethyl ketone (DEGR-Xa) indicated that the preformed rTAP-Xa binary complex bound to factor Va more tightly (Kd = 30.7 +/- 6.2 pM) than factor Xa alone (Kd = 1.25 +/- 0.29 nM). The 30-fold higher affinity of the rTAP-Xa complex for factor Va can completely account for the increased affinity of rTAP for prothrombinase and implies adequate thermodynamic description of the reactions involved. Collectively, the data suggest that the interaction of factor Xa with factor Va on a membrane surface alters macromolecular recognition sites on factor Xa involved in binding rTAP. As a result of this conformational change, the inhibition of factor Xa by rTAP is thermodynamically favored when the enzyme is assembled in the prothrombinase complex.

Animals↗

Spectrophotometric determination of factor Xa generation in factor IX concentrates.

Previous work from this department, concerned with testing the potential thrombogenicity of therapeutic factor IX concentrates, demonstrated that following recalcification of factor IX concentrates thrombin was generated within 3--30 minutes of incubation (Sas el al. 1975). The test developed (known as the TGt 50 test) is a two-stage assay and was thus found to be time consuming, tedious and tended to become inaccurate with long incubation periods and a large number of samples. A semiautomatic version of the test is reported in which the synthetic peptide Bz-ILE-GLU-GLY-ARG-pNA (S-2222) is added to recalcified, diluted factor IX concentrate in the micro-cuvette of a multiple sample recording spectrophotometer. Information can be obtained on (a) the amount of Xa (if any) present prior to recalcification (b) the initial amount of Xa formed and (c) the time taken to activate all factor =X to Xa. Direct graphical interpretation shows a number of qualitative differences between commercial preparations, but by either of the criteria (b) or (c) above, it is possible to place the different products into "activated" and "non activated" groups such that both the Xa generation times and TGt 50 tests identify the same two groups of products. This aggreement also indicates that the TGt 50 test is independent of the intrinsic factor V levels in the various concentrates.

Factor IX↗

Human umbilical vein endothelial cells express high affinity receptors for factor Xa.

The binding of [125I]-factor Xa to human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) monolayers was studied. At 7 degrees C, [125I]-factor Xa bound to a single class of binding sites with a dissociation constant value of 6.6 +/- 0.8 nM and a binding site density of 57,460 +/- 5,200 sites/cell (n = 3). Association and dissociation kinetics were of a pseudo-first order and gave association and dissociation rate constant values of 0.15 x 10(6) M-1 s-1 and 4.0 x 10(-4) s-1, respectively. [125I]-factor Xa binding was inhibited by factor Xa but was not affected by factor X, thrombin or monoclonal antibodies against factor V, antithrombin-III or tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI) but was inhibited by an antibody specific for the effector cell protease receptor-1 (EPR-1), a well-known receptor of factor Xa on various cell types. [125I]-factor Xa binding to HUVEC was not affected by various inhibitors of factor Xa such as DX 9065, pentasaccharide-antithrombin-III or TFPI. Factor Xa increased intracellular free calcium levels and phosphoinositide turnover in endothelial cells and, when added to HUVEC in culture, factor Xa was a potent mitogen, stimulating an increase in cell number at a 0.3 to 100 nM concentration. HUVEC-bound factor Xa promoted prothrombin activation in the presence of factor Va only. This effect was inhibited by both indirect and direct inhibitors of factor Xa. These findings indicate that HUVEC express functional high affinity receptors for factor Xa, related to EPR-1, which may be of importance in the regulation of coagulation and homeostasis of the vascular wall.

Calcium↗

Functional assembly of intrinsic coagulation proteases on monocytes and platelets. Comparison between cofactor activities induced by thrombin and factor Xa.

Generation of coagulation factor Xa by the intrinsic pathway protease complex is essential for normal activation of the coagulation cascade in vivo. Monocytes and platelets provide membrane sites for assembly of components of this protease complex, factors IXa and VIII. Under biologically relevant conditions, expression of functional activity by this complex is associated with activation of factor VIII to VIIIa. In the present studies, autocatalytic regulatory pathways operating on monocyte and platelet membranes were investigated by comparing the cofactor function of thrombin-activated factor VIII to that of factor Xa-activated factor VIII. Reciprocal functional titrations with purified human factor VIII and factor IXa were performed at fixed concentrations of human monocytes, CaCl2, factor X, and either factor IXa or factor VIII. Factor VIII was preactivated with either thrombin or factor Xa, and reactions were initiated by addition of factor X. Rates of factor X activation were measured using chromogenic substrate specific for factor Xa. The K1/2 values, i.e., concentration of factor VIIIa at which rates were half maximal, were 0.96 nM with thrombin-activated factor VIII and 1.1 nM with factor Xa-activated factor VIII. These values are close to factor VIII concentration in plasma. The Vsat, i.e., rates at saturating concentrations of factor VIII, were 33.3 and 13.6 nM factor Xa/min, respectively. The K1/2 and Vsat values obtained in titrations with factor IXa were not significantly different from those obtained with factor VIII. In titrations with factor X, the values of Michaelis-Menten coefficients (Km) were 31.7 nM with thrombin-activated factor VIII, and 14.2 nM with factor Xa-activated factor VIII. Maximal rates were 23.4 and 4.9 nM factor Xa/min, respectively. The apparent catalytic efficiency was similar with either form of factor VIIIa. Kinetic profiles obtained with platelets as a source of membrane were comparable to those obtained with monocytes. These kinetic profiles are consistent with a 1:1 stoichiometry for the functional interaction between cofactor and enzyme on the surface of monocytes and platelets. Taken together, these results indicate that autocatalytic pathways connecting the extrinsic, intrinsic, and common coagulation pathways can operate efficiently on the monocyte membrane.

Blood Platelets↗

The critical role of the 185-189-loop in the factor Xa interaction with Na+ and factor Va in the prothrombinase complex.

The S1 site (Asp(189)) of factor Xa (fXa) is located on a loop (residues 185-189) that contains three solvent-exposed charged residues (Asp(185), Lys(186), and Glu(188)) below the active-site pocket of the protease. To investigate the role of these residues in the catalytic function of fXa, we expressed three mutants of the protease in which the charges of these residues were neutralized by their substitutions with Ala (D185A, K186A, and E188A). Kinetic studies revealed that E188A has a normal catalytic activity toward small synthetic and natural substrates and inhibitors of fXa; however, the same activities were slightly ( approximately 2-fold) and dramatically ( approximately 20-50-fold) impaired for the D185A and K186A mutants, respectively. Further studies revealed that the affinity of D185A and K186A for interaction with Na(+) has also been altered, with a modest impairment ( approximately 2-fold) for the former and a dramatic impairment for the latter mutant. Both prothrombinase and direct binding studies indicated that K186A also has an approximately 6-fold impaired affinity for factor Va. Interestingly, a saturating concentration of factor Va restored the catalytic defect of K186A in reactions with prothrombin and the recombinant tick anticoagulant peptide that is known to interact with the Na(+) loop of fXa, but not with other substrates. These results suggest that factor Va interacts with 185-189-loop for fXa, which is energetically linked to the Na(+)-binding site of the protease.

Alanine↗

Modifications of extrinsic pathway inhibitor (EPI) and factor Xa that affect their ability to interact and to inhibit factor VIIa/tissue factor: evidence for a two-step model of inhibition.

Inhibition of factor VIIa/tissue factor (TF) by extrinsic pathway inhibitor (EPI) requires the participation of factor Xa. Through this inhibition, factor Xa generated initially may feed back to suppress continuing generation of factor Xa via the extrinsic pathway during hemostasis. We have utilized chemical modifications of EPI and factor Xa to study the reactions responsible for inhibition. The data are consistent with a two-step model. First, EPI binds to factor Xa in a Ca2+ independent reaction in which the gla-domain of factor Xa does not participate. A functional active site on factor Xa and arginine residues on EPI are essential for this step. Then the factor Xa/EPI complex binds to factor VIIa/TF with resultant inhibition of its enzymatic activity. The gla-domain of factor Xa is essential for this step. Intact positively charged lysines on factor Xa may also be important.

Arginine↗

A combination of factor Xa and phosphatidylcholine-phosphatidylserine vesicles bypasses factor VIII in vivo.

A combination of phosphatidylcholine-phosphatidylserine lipid vesicles (PCPS), as a source of coagulant active phospholipid, when infused with factor Xa bypasses factor VIII in vivo. To demonstrate this, a reproducible model of bleeding in haemophilic dogs was used. Control studies were performed in normal dogs. In initial studies, factor Xa/PCPS at a dose of 6.5 x 10(-12) and 4.0 x 10(-7) moles/kg respectively failed to correct the abnormal bleeding in the haemophilic animals and initiated a bleeding diathesis in the normal controls. Coagulation studies and immunoblotting demonstrated activation of protein C and an anticoagulant effect resulting from significant falls in the levels of factors V and VIII. Adjustment of the dose of factor Xa/PCPS to 2.6 x 10(-11) and 4.0 x 10(-8) moles/kg respectively produced an immediate haemostatic effect in both haemophilic and normal animals with bleeding stopping within 15-30 s. Despite this observation, protein C activation was again noted. It is concluded that the presence of coagulant active phospholipid and factor Xa in prothrombin complex concentrates may explain the observed factor VIII bypassing activity of these preparations and that the use of a controlled formulation of these two components may provide a more effective approach to the management of patients with factor VIII inhibitors.

Animals↗

Factor Xa enhances the binding of tissue factor pathway inhibitor to acidic phospholipids.

In the present study, the interaction between tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI) and phospholipids has been characterized using a microtitre plate assay. TFPI was shown to bind calcium-independently to an acidic phospholipid surface composed of phosphatidylserine, but not a surface composed of the neutral phosphatidylcholine. The interaction was demonstrated to be dependent on the presence of the TFPI C-terminus. The presence of heparin (1 U/ml, unfractionated) was able to significantly reduce the binding of TFPI to phospholipid. The interaction of TFPI with phosphatidylserine was significantly decreased in the presence of calcium, but this was counteracted, and even enhanced, following complex formation of TFPI with factor Xa prior to incubation with the phospholipid surface. Moreover, a TFPI variant, not containing the third Kunitz domain and the C-terminus, was unable to bind to phospholipid. However, following the formation of a TFPI/factor Xa-complex this TFPI variant was capable of interacting with the phospholipid surface. This indicates that the role of factor Xa as a TFPI cofactor, at least in part, is to mediate the binding of TFPI to the phospholipid surface.

Factor Xa↗

Preparation of 1-(3-aminobenzo[d]isoxazol-5-yl)-1H-pyrazolo[4,3-d]pyrimidin-7(6H)-ones as potent, selective, and efficacious inhibitors of coagulation factor Xa.

Previously, potent factor Xa inhibitors were described based on the 1H-pyrazolo[4,3-d]pyrimidin-7(6H)-one bicyclic core and a 4-methoxyphenyl P1 moiety. This manuscript describes 1H-pyrazolo[4,3-d]pyrimidin-7(6H)-one and related bicyclic cores with the 3-aminobenzisoxazole P1 moiety. Many of these compounds are potent, selective, and efficacious inhibitors of coagulation factor Xa.

Anticoagulants↗

Inhibition of ADP-induced platelet aggregation by reduced factor Xa.

Treatment of blood coagulation factor Xa with insolubilized hexyl-agarose derivative of prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) results in the generation of two sulfhydryl groups in the protein molecule. The reduced factor Xa was found to be a potent inhibitor of platelet aggregation and thromboxane A2 synthesis induced by ADP. In contrast to the inhibition of thromboxane formation, the reduced factor Xa had no effect on the formation of PGE2 indicating that thromboxane synthetase might be selectively inhibited by the reduced factor Xa. Incubation with oxidized glutathione reversed the inhibitory activity of factor Xa previously exposed to the insolubilized hormone. Soluble PGE1 also reduces factor Xa, but more slowly than the insolubilized PGE1. PGE1 also exhibits reducing ability as tested with redox dyes. Reduction of factor Xa by dithiothreitol also transformed the coagulation factor into an inhibitor of platelet aggregation and thromboxane A2 formation. These experiments indicate that reduction of factor Xa leads to a reversible alteration of the molecule which inhibits platelet aggregation induced by ADP. This effect of reduced factor Xa is probably mediated through the inhibition of thromboxane A2 synthesis.

Adenosine Diphosphate↗

Activation of human factor V by factor Xa and thrombin.

The activation of human factor V by factor Xa and thrombin was studied by functional assessment of cofactor activity and sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis followed by either autoradiography of 125I-labeled factor V activation products or Western blot analyses of unlabeled factor V activation products. Cofactor activity was measured by the ability of the factor V/Va peptides to support the activation of prothrombin. The factor Xa catalyzed cleavage of factor V was observed to be time, phospholipid, and calcium ion dependent, yielding a cofactor with activity equal to that of thrombin-activated factor V (factor Va). The cleavage pattern differed markedly from the one observed in the bovine system. The factor Xa activated factor V subunits expressing cofactor activity were isolated and found to consist of peptides of Mr 220,000 and 105,000. Although thrombin cleaved the Mr 220,000 peptide to yield peptides previously shown to be products of thrombin activation, cofactor activity did not increase. N-Terminal sequence analysis confirmed that both factor Xa and thrombin cleave factor V at the same bond to generate the Mr 220,000 peptide. The factor Xa dependent functional assessment of 125I-labeled factor V coupled with densitometric analyses of the cleavage products indicated that the cofactor activity of factor Xa activated factor V closely paralleled the appearance of the Mr 220,000 peptide. This observation facilitated the study of the kinetics of factor V activation by allowing the activation of factor V to be monitored by the appearance of the Mr 220,000 peptide (factor Xa activation) or the Mr 105,000 peptide (thrombin activation). Factor Xa catalyzed activation of factor V obeyed Michaelis-Menten kinetics and was characterized by a Km of 10.4 nM, a kcat of 2.6 min-1, and a catalytic efficiency (kcat/Km) of 4.14 X 10(6) M-1 s-1. The thrombin-catalyzed activation of factor V was characterized by a Km of 71.7 nM, a kcat of 14.0 min-1, and a catalytic efficiency of 3.26 X 10(6) M-1 s-1. This indicates that factor Xa is as efficient an enzyme toward factor V as thrombin.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Factor Va increases the affinity of factor Xa for prothrombin: a binding study using a novel photoactivable thiol-specific fluorescent probe.

The multiprotein complex of factor Xa, factor Va, and prothrombin efficiently generates the blood-clotting agent, thrombin. Here, the formation of the factor Xa*prothrombin complex and the effects of factor Va on this complex were examined using a photoactivable thiol-specific fluorescent probe (LWB), which was synthesized and incorporated into the active site of factor Xa. The use of fluorescent LWB illustrated that factor Xa has an increased affinity for prothrombin in the presence of factor Va. Further exposure of these components to UV light resulted in a specific photocrosslinking of LWB-factor Xa to prothrombin, suggesting a physical association between these proteins. These data demonstrate that LWB can successfully function both as a spectroscopic probe and as a photocrosslinking reagent for studying protein-protein interactions.

Cross-Linking Reagents↗

Factor Xa inhibition by immobilized recombinant tissue factor pathway inhibitor.

The recombinant form of the endogenous anticoagulant, tissue factor pathway inhibitor (rTFPI), is a potent inhibitor of Factor Xa (FXa) and the tissue factor-factor VIIa (TF:VIIa) complex. Surface-immobilized rTFPI reduces the thrombogenicity and intimal hyperplasia associated with synthetic vascular grafts in animal models and specifically reduces fibrin deposition on collagen-impregnated Dacron grafts from native blood in an in vitro flow model. The FXa inhibitory capacity of rTFPI in the bulk phase has been demonstrated in static systems and immobilized rTFPI reduces fibrin deposition in whole blood in vitro and animal studies; however, the specific mode of this anticoagulation has not been studied. Therefore, a comparison was made between the FXa binding capacity of two forms of immobilized rTFPI, i.e., passively adsorbed and covalently bound. The rTFPI-coated surfaces were evaluated using a parallel-plate flow reactor and comparing the amount of FXa exiting the flow chamber after exposure to an rTFPI-coated versus an uncoated plate. The results demonstrate that adsorbed rTFPI exhibits increased binding capacity (1.5-3.6 times) the expected stoichiometry via interactions with the C-terminus, whereas covalently-bound rTFPI interacts with FXa in a 1:1 stoichiometry. Thus, the results imply that specific FXa inhibition is a key component of the anticoagulant effect of rTFPI-coated surfaces and that passive adsorption of rTFPI to glass surfaces produces a more effective coating than covalent binding of rTFPI.

Adsorption↗

The low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein (LRP) mediates clearance of coagulation factor Xa in vivo.

Blood coagulation factor X plays a pivotal role in the clotting cascade. When administered intravenously to mice, the majority of activated factor X (factor Xa) binds to alpha 2-macroglobulin (alpha 2M) and is rapidly cleared from the circulation into liver. We show here that the low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein (LRP) is responsible for factor Xa catabolism in vivo. Mice overexpressing a 39-kD receptor-associated protein that binds to LRP and inhibits its ligand binding activity displayed dramatically prolonged plasma clearance of 125I-factor Xa. Preadministration of alpha 2M-proteinase complexes (alpha 2M*) also diminished the plasma clearance of 125I-factor Xa in a dose-dependent fashion. The clearance of preformed complexes of 125I-factor Xa and alpha 2M was similar to that of 125I-factor Xa alone and was also inhibited by mice overexpressing a 39-kD receptor-associated protein. These results thus suggest that, in vivo, factor Xa is metabolized via LRP after complex formation with alpha 2M.

Animals↗

Factor Va-factor Xa interaction. Effects of phospholipid vesicles of varying composition.

The interaction between factor Xa and factor Va was investigated both in solution and in the presence of phospholipid vesicles with varying contents of phosphatidylserine. The binding parameters were inferred from the kinetics of prothrombin activation. Factor Xa and factor Va form in solution an equimolar complex with a dissociation constant of 3.3 X 10(-9) M. Phospholipid vesicles promote the formation of the factor Xa-Va complex. The Kd of complex formation is dependent on both the phospholipid concentration and the composition of the phospholipid vesicle. For the interaction between factor Xa and factor Va in the presence of phospholipid vesicles containing 40 mol % dioleoylphosphatidylserine (DOPS) and 60 mol % dioleoylphosphatidylcholine (DOPC), the Kd increases linearly with increasing phospholipid concentration. In the presence of 10 microM phospholipid (DOPS/DOPC, 40/60 mol/mol) Kd = 3 X 10(-11) M. When the mole percentage of DOPS in the phospholipid vesicles is lowered from 20 to 5 mol %, there is a gradual increase of the Kd. In the presence of 10 microM phospholipid vesicles containing 5 mol % DOPS and 95 mol % DOPC Kd = 2.8 X 10(-10) M. The Kd measured in the presence of phospholipid vesicles containing 5 mol % DOPS and 95 mol % DOPC is independent of the phospholipid concentration. Two models are discussed that can quantitatively explain the effect of phospholipid vesicles on the complex formation between factor Xa and factor Va. Studies on the effect of the polypeptides with Mr 80 000 and Mr 94000 of which factor Va is composed on the Kd of the factor Xa-Va complex suggest that factor Xa binding to factor Va requires a Ca2+-mediated interaction between the two polypeptides.

Animals↗

Characterization of the interaction between factor Xa and bovine aortic endothelial cells.

Cultured bovine aortic endothelial cells incubated with Factor Xa activate prothrombin. Factor V, synthesized by the endothelial cells, or plasma Factor V and calcium are required for the reaction. In the present study, it has been demonstrated that 125I-Factor Xa binds specifically to endothelial cells. In addition, the activation of prothrombin by Factor Xa and aortic endothelial cells has been further characterized. The binding of 125I-Factor Xa to endothelial cells was saturable and reversible. The equilibrium dissociation constant (Kd) for 125I-Factor Xa binding was 3.6 X 10(-9) M, with 39000 molecules bound per cell. 125I-Factor Xa, inactivated by diisopropylfluorophosphate did not bind specifically to endothelial cells, indicating that the active site of Factor Xa was required for binding. Factor Xa, but not activated protein C, competed with 125I-Factor Xa for binding. Autoradiograms of sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gels of cell lysates indicated that the radiolabeled material that bound to the cells had electrophoretic mobility identical to Factors Xa alpha and Xa beta. Although Factor X partially inhibited the binding of 125I-Factor Xa, Factor Xa did not inhibit the binding of 125I-Factor X, indicating that the zymogen and enzyme bound to different receptors. The relationship of the 125I-Factor Xa binding which was measured in these studies to aortic endothelial cell prothrombin activation is unclear since an anti-Factor V IgG blocked prothrombin activation but not Factor Xa binding. Additionally, 125I-Factor Xa binds to nonvascular cells; these cells do not activate prothrombin in the presence of Factor Xa. Moreover, the calcium requirements for each reaction and the saturation curves of 125I-Factor Xa binding and prothrombin activation differ. Although these data do not exclude a relationship between Factor Xa binding and prothrombin activation, the binding of 125I-Factor Xa to aortic endothelium measured in these studies may be related to a separate cellular function. To further characterize prothrombin activation by Factor Xa and endothelial cells, the rates of thrombin generation by intact bovine aorta or endothelial cells derived from this tissue were compared and were found to be equivalent. These data indicate that vascular endothelium may serve as a physiologic surface for hemostasis.

Animals↗

The activation of bovine protein C by factor Xa.

A complex composed of factor Xa and phospholipid vesicles assembled in the presence of calcium ions catalyzes a discrete cleavage of the heavy chain of bovine protein C that is indistinguishable from that produced by thrombin as judged by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. This cleavage generates an active site capable of hydrolyzing small substrates and inactivating factor Va function in the prothrombinase complex. Activation of protein C by factor Xa requires both calcium ions and phospholipid vesicles and proceeds at a rate an order of magnitude greater than that observed for alpha-thrombin in solution. gamma-Carboxyglutamic acid-domainless protein C is not activated by factor Xa, consistent with the requirement for phospholipid and distinguishing this reaction from protein C activation by thrombin. Thrombomodulin serves as a cofactor for the factor Xa-catalyzed reaction, forming a 1:1 complex with factor Xa (apparent Kd = 5.7 X 10(-10) M) and stimulating the saturated rate of protein C activation by factor Xa (kcat = 149 min-1) to levels comparable with the thrombin-thrombomodulin complex. Protein C activation by factor Xa is not inhibited by the specific thrombin inhibitor dansyl-N-(3-ethyl-1,5-pentanediyl)amide but is inhibited by antithrombin III, tripeptide-chloromethyl ketones, and the monoclonal antibody alpha-BFX-2b that is highly specific for factor Xa. These data indicate that thrombomodulin is promiscuous in its role as a cofactor and suggest the existence of an alternative pathway for protein C activation in vivo.

Animals↗