Peptide analogues of 1811–1818 loop of the A3 subunit of the light chain A3-C1–C2 of FVIII of blood coagulation: biological evaluation

Abstract

Factor VIII, the plasma protein deficient or defective in individuals with hemophilia A, is a critical member of the blood coagulation cascade. Recent studies have identified the FVIII light chain region Glu1811-Lys1818 as being involved in FIXa binding and in the assembly of the FX-activating FIXaz-FVIIIa complex. Based on this, a series of 12 peptides, analogues of the 1811-1818 loop of the A3 subunit of the light chain A3-C1-C2 of FVIIIa, were synthesized and evaluated for their anticoagulant activity. Only peptide Ac-ETKTYFWK-NH(2) showed significant anticoagulant activity by inhibiting about 40% factor VIII at a concentration of 0.43 mM. It also showed a prolongation of activated partial thromboplastin time of 6.1 s, whereas its effect on prothrombin time measurements was meaningless. All the other peptides did not show any measurable effect at the concentration of 0.43 mM. These findings are encouraging though further investigation of the effect of this active peptide in different biological settings is needed in order to evaluate its possible clinical applications.