Barium Citrate Adsorption Research Articles

Enhanced functional recombinant factor IX production by human embryonic kidney cells engineered to overexpress VKORC1.

Replacement therapy with recombinant drugs is the main therapeutic strategy for hemophilia B patients. To reduce the production costs of recombinant coagulation factors, improvement of their expression and activity by enhancement of γ-carboxylation might be of interest. The expression and functional activity of vitamin K-dependent (VKD) coagulation proteins rely, in part, on the VKD process of γ-carboxylation that is mediated by the enzymes γ-carboxylase and vitamin K epoxide reductase (VKOR). Since the recombinant production of VKD proteins is hampered by the inefficiency of this enzymatic process, we specifically have examined the stable expression of functional blood coagulation factor IX (FIX) in HEK293 cells following transient overexpression of VKORC1 as an important part of VKOR component. Recombinant hFIX-producing human embryonic kidney (HEK) cells were transfected to overexpress VKORC1. Following reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis, expression efficiency of the active hFIX was analyzed by performing enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and coagulation test. In addition, to quantify γ-carboxylated recombinant FIX, the barium citrate method was used. Overexpression of VKORC1 in FIX-producing HEK cells, resulting in a 3.2-fold higher expression of functional FIX, which displayed a 1.4-fold enhanced specific activity. Moreover, a 3.9-fold enhanced recovery of fully γ-carboxylated FIX following barium citrate adsorption was achieved. Collectively, these findings indicate that the overexpression of VKORC1 results in the production of higher levels of functional hFIX in HEK293 cells. The increase of the VKORC1 as a supplier of γ-carboxylase seems to play a significant role in increasing the amount and efficiency of recombinant FIX production, thereby reducing the production costs.

Improved activity and expression of recombinant human factor IX by propeptide engineering.

The main therapeutic strategy for Hemophilia B patients involves the administration of recombinant coagulation factors IX (rFIX). Although there are various approaches to increasing the activity of rFIX, targeted protein engineering of specific residues could result in increased rFIX activity through enhanced γ-carboxylation. Specific amino acids in the propeptide sequence of vitamin K-dependent proteins are known to play a role in the interaction with the enzyme γ-carboxylase. The net hydrophobicity and charge of the γ-carboxylic recognition site (γ-CRS) region in the propeptide are important determinants of γ-carboxylase binding. Sothe contribution of individual γ-CRS residues to the expression of fully γ-carboxylated and active FIX was studied. Propeptide residues at positions -14, -13, or - 12 were substituted for equivalent prothrombin amino acids by SEOing PCR. The recombinant FIX variants were transfected and stably expressed in Drosophila S2 cells, and the expression of both total FIX protein and active FIX was assessed. While overall the substitutions resulted in an increase of both total FIX protein expression as well as an increase in the portion of active FIX, the highest increase in FIX protein expression, FIX activity, and specific FIX activity was observed following the simultaneous substitution of residues at positions -12, -13, and - 14. The enhanced rFIX activity was further confirmed by enrichment for functional, fully γ-carboxylated rFIX species via barium citrate adsorption. Our findings indicate that by increasing both the net charge and the net hydrophobicity of the FIX γ-CRS region, the expression of fully γ-carboxylated and as such active FIX is enhanced. Graphical abstract .

Effect of propeptide amino acid substitution in γ-carboxylation, activity and expression of recombinant human coagulation factor IX.

The production of recombinant vitamin K dependent (VKD) proteins for therapeutic purposes is an important challenge in the pharmaceutical industry. These proteins are primarily synthesized as precursor molecules and contain pre-propeptide sequences. The propeptide is connected to γ-carboxylase enzyme through the γ-carboxylase recognition site for the direct γ-carboxylation of VKD proteins that has a significant impact on their biological activity. Propeptides have different attitudes toward γ-carboxylase and certain amino acids in propeptide sequences are responsible for the differences in γ-carboxylase affinity. By aiming to replace amino acids in hFIX propeptide domain based on the prothrombin propeptide, pMT-hFIX-M14 expression cassette, containing cDNA of hFIX with substituted -14 residues (Asp to Ala) was made. After transfection of Drosophila S2 cells, expression of the active hFIX was analyzed by performing ELISA and coagulation test. A 1.4-fold increase in the mutant recombinant hFIX expression level was observed in comparison with that of a native recombinant hFIX. The enhanced hFIX activity and specific activity of the hFIXD-14A (2.2 and 1.6 times, respectively) were further confirmed by comparing coagulation activity levels of substituted and native hFIX. Enrichment for functional, fully γ-carboxylated hFIX species via barium citrate adsorption demonstrated 2-fold enhanced recovery in the S2-expressing hFIXD-14A relative to that expressed native hFIX. These results show that changing -14 residues leads to a decrease in the binding affinity to substrate, increase in γ-carboxylation and activity of recombinant hFIX. © 2017 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 34:515-520, 2018.

Recombinant FIX/X-Bp from the Japanese Habu Snake Is a Universal Ligand for Purification of Highly Carboxylated Factor IX Variants and Factor X

Background: The purification of vitamin K-dependent clotting factors typically involves multiple chromatographic steps, including an ion exchange-based pseudo-affinity step to enrich for species with sufficiently high gamma-carboxyglutamic acid (Gla) content to achieve maximal specific activity. Variants of these factors have been engineered to improve their pharmacokinetic properties by appending or inserting a variety of elements, including the Fc domain of IgG, unstructured hydrophilic peptides of defined amino acid composition (XTEN), albumin, and polyethylene glycol (PEG). In most cases, however, such modification alters both the hydrodynamic and electrostatic properties of the resulting molecule relative to those of the predicate molecule, thereby complicating their purification, particularly with regard to Gla enrichment by pseudo-affinity chromatography. Factor IX (FIX)- and factor X (FX)-binding protein (FIX/X-bp) isolated from the venom of the Japanese Habu snake (T. flavoviridis) has been shown to bind with high affinity and specificity to both FIX and FX, and structural studies have demonstrated that FIX/X-bp binds to the highly carboxylated calcium-bound forms of the Gla domains of these proteins. We therefore reasoned that FIX/X-bp could serve as a novel affinity ligand for rapid and simple purification of variants of FIX and FX with high specific activity.Aims: To generate and purify recombinant FIX/X-bp (rFIX/X-bp) and assess its utility for the purification of FIX, FIX-XTEN, FIX-albumin, and FX with high Gla content.Methods: A two-chained rFIX/X-bp molecule in which a polyhistidine tag was appended to one chain was generated by stable co-transfection of Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells. Culture medium was concentrated by tangential-flow filtration (TFF), and rFIX/X-bp was purified by one of two methods: 1) immobilized metal ion affinity chromatography (IMAC), followed by anion-exchange chromatography, or 2) affinity chromatography on immobilized FIX in calcium-containing buffer and subsequent elution in EDTA-containing buffer. The potent anticoagulant activity of rFIX/X-bp was verified by prothrombin time (PT) and activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) assays, and its ability to bind to human FIX, FX, factor VII (FVII), protein S, and prothrombin was evaluated by biolayer interferometry. The affinity of rFIX/X-bp for FIX and FX was determined by surface plasmon resonance (SPR). An affinity column was then generated by chemical conjugation of rFIX/X-bp to NHS-activated Sepharose. Recombinant FIX, FIX-albumin, and FIX-XTEN were first affinity purified on IXSelect resin from the culture medium of transiently transfected HEK293 cells, and the resulting protein preparations, which were heterogeneous with regard to Gla content, were then applied to the rFIX/X-bp affinity column in calcium- or magnesium-containing buffer and eluted with EDTA-containing buffer. Activity was assessed by APTT assay, and Gla content was determined by mass spectrometric peptide mapping. Recombinant FX was purified from the culture medium of transiently transfected HEK293 cells by sequential barium citrate adsorption, anion exchange chromatography, and affinity chromatography on a rFIX/X-bp column.Results: In the presence of calcium or magnesium ions, rFIX/X-bp binds to FIX and FX with high affinity (KD≈ 10 pM), to a lesser extent to protein S and prothrombin, but not to FVII. FIX and FIX-albumin that had been affinity purified on a rFIX/X-bp column had specific activities that were consistent with published data and greater than 11 Gla residues per molecule. The Gla content of FX that had been affinity purified on a rFIX/X-bp column was 10 Gla residues per molecule (out of 11 possible).Conclusions: rFIX/X-bp is a universal ligand for the purification of highly carboxylated FX and FIX variants, including FIX-albumin and FIX-XTEN. DisclosuresMercury:Biogen: Employment. Liu:Biogen: Employment. Ismail:Biogen: Employment. Zhang:Biogen: Employment. Lu:Biogen: Employment. Cameron:Biogen: Employment. Goodman:Biogen: Employment. Culyba:Biogen: Employment. Ravindran Nair:Biogen: Employment. Holthaus:Biogen: Employment. Kulman:Biogen: Employment. Peters:Biogen: Employment.

Effects of oral anticoagulant therapy and haplotype 1 of the endothelial protein C receptor gene on activated protein C levels

Oral anticoagulants (OACs) reduce activated protein C (APC) plasma levels less than those of protein C (PC) in lupus erythematosus and cardiac patients. Carriers of the H1 haplotype of the endothelial PC receptor gene (PROCR) have higher APC levels than non-carriers. We aimed to confirm these results in a large group of patients treated with OACs because of venous thromboembolism (VTE) and to assess whether the effect is influenced by the PROCR H1 haplotype. We evaluated APC, PC, and factor (F)II levels in 502 VTE patients (158 with and 344 without OACs) and in 322 healthy individuals. Mean APC, PC and FII levels were significantly lower in OAC patients than in patients not taking OACs. During anticoagulant therapy, the FII/PC ratios were independent of the PC values, whereas APC/FII and APC/PC ratios significantly increased when FII and PC levels decreased. Of the 22 OAC patients carrying the H1H1genotype, 11 (50%) showed APC/PCag ≥2.0 and 10 (45%) APC/FIIag ratios ≥2.0, whereas for the 49 OAC patients non-carrying the H1 haplotype these figures were 6 (12%) and 4 (8%), respectively (p<0.001). Barium citrate adsorption of plasma from OAC patients showed that most of the circulating free and complexed APC, but only part of PCag, is fully carboxylated. In conclusion, during anticoagulant therapy VT patients have APC levels disproportionately higher than the corresponding PC levels, mainly due to the presence of the PROCR H1 haplotype. Furthermore, a sufficiently carboxylated PC Gla-domain seems to be essential for PC activation in vivo.

The multiple faces of the partial thromboplastin time APTT

In the historical sketch by G. C. White [1], the importance of the activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) for research on coagulation and hemophilia is emphasized. I wish to add that the APTT method has also had a major impact on research on the anticoagulant pathways and on thrombophilia. In this brief comment, I reflect upon the role played by the APTT in the discovery of activated protein C (APC) resistance and on the importance of the method for the elucidation of the underlying molecular mechanisms of this condition. The observation initiating the work on APC resistance was made while performing a functional protein C assay on plasma from a patient with thrombosis [2]. The protein C assay included isolation of protein C by barium citrate adsorption, activation of the protein C by a thrombin–thrombomodulin complex and finally an APTT reaction to monitor the anticoagulant response of APC. In the analysis, it was observed that the patient sample and the standard did not yield parallel dose–response curves. This stimulated our curiosity and we performed a large number of experiments to understand the problem. During these studies it became apparent that the unexpected behavior was not related to the patient's protein C but that something was wrong with the patient's plasma—we found a poor anticoagulant response of the patient's plasma to added normal APC. This observation lead to the design of a new APTT-based assay in which normal APC was added to the patient's plasma and the anticoagulation response measured. Using this first version of the APC resistance test, we found that not only the original patient but also many of his family members responded poorly to APC. Stimulated by these observations, we and others investigated cohorts of thrombosis patients and it became obvious that APC resistance was a major risk factor for venous thrombosis [3-5]. Moreover, in a majority of the cases, the APC resistance was inherited and was due to the same genetic defect [4, 6]. The APTT-based APC-resistance test was instrumental in identifying factor (F)V as the causative molecule for the APC-resistance phenotype and laid the foundation for the subsequent identification of the responsible mutation in the FV gene [7]. Almost all patients with APC resistance were found to carry the same mutation, which replaces Arg506 in one of the APC-cleavage sites with a Gln (FV Leiden) [8-11]. As a consequence of this mutation, the APC-mediated degradation of FVa was impaired. This observation has provided great stimulus to investigations of the mechanisms of APC-mediated degradation of FVa and factor (F)VIIIa and the role of protein S. During the efforts to elucidate the molecular mechanisms of APC resistance, it was discovered that FV is a Janus-faced protein with a potential to express both pro- and anticoagulant activities [7, 12, 13]. The anticoagulant function of FV is that of a cofactor to APC in the degradation of FVIIIa. In APC resistance, this anticoagulant property of FV is lost due to the FV Leiden mutation. The first diagnostic assay for APC resistance, the ‘classical’ APC-resistance test, was modified based on the discovery of the involvement of FV in the pathogenesis of APC resistance. In the modified test, FV-deficient plasma was included in the clotting reaction [14]. The modified APC-resistance test has been found to be highly specific and sensitive for the FV Leiden mutation and is often used as a first screening method to identify individuals with APC resistance. One might reflect on what made the APTT reaction particularly suitable for research on APC resistance. A contributing factor is that the APTT is dependent on the activity of both FVa and FVIIIa. It is therefore sensitive to the effect of APC at two levels of the coagulation reaction. In contrast, the regular prothrombin time reaction is sensitive to changes only in FVa activity and unlike the APTT it is sensitive neither to loss of FVIIIa activity nor to loss of the anticoagulant function of FV. In conclusion, I wish to add to the praise of the APTT method. It was important not only for defining a new era in coagulation but also for research on anticoagulant pathways, for the discovery of APC resistance and the elucidation of pathogenic mechanisms of thrombophilia.

Determination of the N-Terminal Amino Acid Sequence of the Purified Prothrombin from a Patient with Liver Cirrhosis

The reasons for the decreased functional activity of prothrombin in liver diseases are still speculative. When a highly purified preparation of prothrombin from a patient with liver cirrhosis is available, the cause of prothrombin abnormalities may be researched on a molecular basis. In this study, prothrombin (6.7 mg) was purified from the ascites fluid (1130 mL) of a patient with liver cirrhosis by barium citrate adsorption, ammonium sulfate elution, DEAE Sephacel and Heparin Sepharose CL-6B column chromatography steps. The molecular weight of this prothrombin was the same as that of normal prothrombin purified from a normal plasma pool. The specific activities were found to be 3.36 U/mg in the one stage clotting assay and 28.9 U/mg in the staphylocoagulase/chromogenic substrate assay, while the normal prothrombin specific activities were 3.92 U/mg and 30.1 U/mg respectively. When N-terminal amino acid sequence analysis was carried out, it was seen that the first 20 residues were identical to the normal human prothrombin excepting the Gla at position #14.

Isolation and characterization of Textarin R, a prothrombin activator from eastern brown snake ( Pseudonaja textilis) venom

The venom of P. textilis contains two different enzymes which convert human prothrombin into thrombin. Prothrombin activation by Textarin, a serine proteinase containing a calcium-binding molecule site, with a molecular mass of 50,000 to 53,000 Da and I.P. 5.5, separated from crude venom by either barium citrate adsorption or hydroxyl apatite chromatography, is strongly stimulated by phospholipid and calcium ions. A second activator, found in the supernatant of barium citrate adsorbed venom solution, activates prothrombin in the absence of any co-factor. Human plasma coagulation induced by Textarin, phospholipid and calcium ions is affected by lupus anticoagulants. Textarin may thus be used for the detection of lupus anticoagulants in patient plasma samples.

A C5a receptor fragment that can induce programmed cell death

Disruption of the thiolester in native C4 yields a ‘C4b-like C4’ molecule (iC4) that functionally resembles C4b and is therefore probably accompanied by conformational changes in the C4 molecule. In most purified C4 preparations, iC4 and C4b are present to a variable extent. In this study we evaluated the use of fast protein liquid chromatography (FPLC) to resolve and isolate these various forms of C4. C4 was purified from fresh human plasma in a 4-step procedure that included barium citrate adsorption, polyethylene glycol 6000 (PEG) precipitation, Q-Sepharose Fast Flow and mono Q ion exchange chromatography. The final preparation appeared to be homogeneous on SDS-PAGE and under reducing conditions consisted of three bands that corresponded to the intact α, β and γ chains of C4. In some preparations the α′ chain of C4b was also observed. On a Mono Q column the purified C4 preparations could be separated into three peaks that by hemolytic assay and SDS-PAGE were characterized as representing native C4, and monomeric and dimeric iC4 (or monomeric and dimeric C4b). Finally, the apparent KA of the various forms of C4 for C4b-binding protein (C4BP) was investigated. The monomeric iC4 and C4b species demonstrated similar C4BP binding affinity with an apparent KA of 5.6–6.4 × 108 M−1, whereas their dimeric forms demonstrated a higher affinity for C4BP with an apparent KA: 0.9–2.3 × 109 M−1. Binding of native C4 to C4BP was undetectable.

Importance of factor Xa in determining the procoagulant activity of whole-blood clots.

The binding of thrombin to fibrin is thought to be an important mechanism by which thrombi exhibit procoagulant activity; however, the extent to which other procoagulants are associated with thrombi has not been previously defined. This study was designed to determine whether clotting factors other than thrombin are bound to whole-blood clots and can thereby contribute to significant procoagulant activity. Clots formed in vitro from human blood exhibited minimal thrombin activity when incubated in plasma depleted of vitamin K-dependent factors by barium-citrate adsorption, as indicated by increases in the concentration of fibrinopeptide A (FPA), a marker of fibrin formation, to 72 nM after 30 min. Incubation of clots in barium-absorbed plasma repleted with 0.9 microM human prothrombin under the same conditions resulted in marked increases in the concentration of FPA (> 1,000 nM) and clotting by 30 min. The increases in FPA were attributable to activation of the added prothrombin by clot-associated Factor Xa, judging from concomitant increases in the concentration of prothrombin fragment 1.2. Similar results were obtained with thrombi induced in the axillary arteries of dogs by vascular injury and incubated with plasma in vitro. Activation of prothrombin was inhibited in a dose-dependent manner by tick anticoagulant peptide, a direct inhibitor of Factor Xa, at concentrations of 0.5-5.0 microM. Clot-associated Factor Xa activity was resistant to inhibition by anti-thrombin III, judging from the lack of inhibition of prothrombin activation during incubation of clots in plasma containing heparin pentasaccharide, an anti-thrombin III-mediated inhibitor of Factor Xa. Thus, the activity of Factor Xa appears to be an important determinant of the procoagulant activity of whole-blood clots and arterial thrombi, and is resistant to inhibition by anti-thrombin III-dependent inhibitors.

Separation of different forms of the fourth component of human complement by fast protein liquid chromatography

Disruption of the thiolester in native C4 yields a ‘C4b-like C4’ molecule (iC4) that functionally resembles C4b and is therefore probably accompanied by conformational changes in the C4 molecule. In most purified C4 preparations, iC4 and C4b are present to a variable extent. In this study we evaluated the use of fast protein liquid chromatography (FPLC) to resolve and isolate these various forms of C4. C4 was purified from fresh human plasma in a 4-step procedure that included barium citrate adsorption, polyethylene glycol 6000 (PEG) precipitation, Q-Sepharose Fast Flow and mono Q ion exchange chromatography. The final preparation appeared to be homogeneous on SDS-PAGE and under reducing conditions consisted of three bands that corresponded to the intact α, β and γ chains of C4. In some preparations the α′ chain of C4b was also observed. On a Mono Q column the purified C4 preparations could be separated into three peaks that by hemolytic assay and SDS-PAGE were characterized as representing native C4, and monomeric and dimeric iC4 (or monomeric and dimeric C4b). Finally, the apparent K A of the various forms of C4 for C4b-binding protein (C4BP) was investigated. The monomeric iC4 and C4b species demonstrated similar C4BP binding affinity with an apparent K A of 5.6–6.4 × 10 8 M −1, whereas their dimeric forms demonstrated a higher affinity for C4BP with an apparent K A: 0.9–2.3 × 10 9 M −1. Binding of native C4 to C4BP was undetectable.

An Establishment of Large-scale and Rapid Procedure for the Isolation of Factor VII from Bovine Plasma

Factor VII has been purified from bovine plasma with an over yield of 60%. The isolation procedure involves barium citrate adsorption and elution, ammonium sulfate fractionation (40-70%), DEAE-Sepharose Fast Flow column chromatography, and affinity column chromatography using anti-factor VII monoclonal antibody. The final product was homogenous when examined by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate. Using this rapid purification method, 24.6mg and 20mg of factor VII was obtained from 70 liters and 75.3 liters of bovine plasma, respectively.

Alpha 2-macroglobulin binds and inhibits activated protein C

In previous studies using a nonhuman primate model of Protein C (PC) activation in vivo, immunoblotting showed substantial amounts of activated PC (APC) in a high molecular weight complex with what was presumed to be a previously unrecognized APC binding protein. This APC complex can also be formed in citrated plasma in vitro. It is of low electrophoretic mobility, sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) stable, with an apparent Mr of 320 Kd. Its purification from human plasma was accomplished using barium citrate adsorption, sequential polyethylene glycol (PEG) precipitations, diethylaminoethyl sepharose chromatography, AcA-34 gel filtration, and zinc-chelate affinity chromatography. This was monitored by subjecting the fractions to nondenaturing polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE), transfer to polyvinylidene-difluoride membranes, and probing with 125I-labeled human APC. The purified APC-binding protein was homogeneous by SDS-PAGE with an Mr of 275 Kd. Its identity as alpha 2-macroglobulin (alpha 2M) was demonstrated immunochemically. Complex formation between alpha 2M and APC was found to be almost completely inhibited by EDTA, but to a lesser extent by citrate. Complex formation could also be prevented by active site inhibition with D-Phenylalanyl-L-Prolyl-L-Arginine- Chloromethyl Ketone (PPACK) or pretreatment of alpha 2M with methylamine. Incubation of APC (33 nmol/L) with alpha 2M (1 mumol/L) resulted in time-dependent inhibition of APC anticoagulant activity when measured using an activated partial thromboplastin time based APC assay. These data show that alpha 2M binds and inhibits APC in vitro and the interaction is both metal-ion and active-site dependent, requiring functionally intact alpha 2M. As the complexes formed in vitro comigrate electrophoretically with those observed in vivo after PC activation, it is suggested that alpha 2M is a physiologically relevant inhibitor involved in the processing of APC in vivo.

α2-Macroglobulin Binds and Inhibits Activated Protein C

In previous studies using a nonhuman primate model of Protein C (PC) activation in vivo, immunoblotting showed substantial amounts of activated PC (APC) in a high molecular weight complex with what was presumed to be a previously unrecognized APC binding protein. This APC complex can also be formed in citrated plasma in vitro. It is of low electrophoretic mobility, sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) stable, with an apparent Mr of 320 Kd. Its purification from human plasma was accomplished using barium citrate adsorption, sequential polyethylene glycol (PEG) precipitations, diethylaminoethyl sepharose chromatography, AcA-34 gel filtration, and zinc-chelate affinity chromatography. This was monitored by subjecting the fractions to nondenaturing polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE), transfer to polyvinylidene-difluoride membranes, and probing with 125I-labeled human APC. The purified APC-binding protein was homogeneous by SDS-PAGE with an Mr of 275 Kd. Its identity as alpha 2-macroglobulin (alpha 2M) was demonstrated immunochemically. Complex formation between alpha 2M and APC was found to be almost completely inhibited by EDTA, but to a lesser extent by citrate. Complex formation could also be prevented by active site inhibition with D-Phenylalanyl-L-Prolyl-L-Arginine-Chloromethyl Ketone (PPACK) or pretreatment of alpha 2M with methylamine. Incubation of APC (33 nmol/L) with alpha 2M (1 mumol/L) resulted in time-dependent inhibition of APC anticoagulant activity when measured using an activated partial thromboplastin time based APC assay. These data show that alpha 2M binds and inhibits APC in vitro and the interaction is both metal-ion and active-site dependent, requiring functionally intact alpha 2M. As the complexes formed in vitro comigrate electrophoretically with those observed in vivo after PC activation, it is suggested that alpha 2M is a physiologically relevant inhibitor involved in the processing of APC in vivo.

Isolation and some properties of 11- and 9-Gla prothrombins from normal plasma

The relationship of prothrombin structure to function with respect to gamma-carboxyglutamic acid (Gla) residues can be effectively evaluated by characterizing the behavior of prothrombin isomers differing in Gla content. In addition to the isolation of a whole spectrum of Gla-deficient, 0- to 9-Gla isomers from dicoumarol-treated plasma, prothrombin isomers containing 11 (10.90) and 9 (8.85) Gla residues have now been isolated from normal bovine plasma. The isomers were isolated by barium citrate adsorption, elution, and finally by heparin-agarose, DEAE-cellulose, and immuno-affinity chromatographies. Each of the purified isomers showed a single component by agar gel and sodium dodecyl sulfate - polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. By agar gel electrophoresis, the 11-Gla prothrombin isomer moved the fastest, followed by the 10-, and lastly the 9-Gla isomer, independent of Ca2+. The corresponding 9-, 10-, and 11-Gla prothrombin fragments 1 exhibited similar migration tendencies. By gel electrofocusing, 11- and 9-Gla fragments 1, respectively, focused anodal and cathodal to 10-Gla fragment 1. The Ca2+-induced decrease in the intrinsic fluorescence in 11-, 10-, and 9-Gla fragments 1 was 48, 40, and 45%, respectively. This metal-induced structural change did not correlate with the functional, thrombin-generating property of the isomers, as the 9-Gla variant exhibited 75%, and the 11-Gla 110-115%, of normal coagulant activity.

Dicoumarol-induced 9-γ-carboxyglutamic acid prothrombin: isolation and comparison with the 6-, 7-, 8-, and l0-γ-carboxyglutamic acid isomers

The role of gamma-carboxyglutamic acid (Gla) in prothrombin function can be effectively evaluated by characterizing dicoumarol-induced, Gla-deficient prothrombin structural isomers. In addition to the isolation of 8-, 7-, 6-, 5-, 3-, 2-, 1-, and 0-Gla isomers, we have now purified a variant prothrombin containing 9(8.80) Gla residues by barium citrate adsorption, elution, and finally by DEAE-cellulose and immunoaffinity chromatographies. Agar gel electrophoretic mobilities of the 9-Gla isomer and its fragment 1 were slower than those of the respective 10-Gla (normal) prothrombin and fragment 1, both in the absence and presence of Ca(II). In the presence of Ca(II), both 9- and 10-Gla fragments 1 moved slower than 8- and 7-Gla fragments 1. However, in the absence of metal ions, 9- and 7-Gla fragments 1 migrated at the same rate, but slower than 10- and 8-Gla fragments. Similarly, the 9-Gla fragment 1 electrofocused cathodically to 10- and 8-Gla, but comparably with 7-Gla fragment 1. The 9-Gla fragment 1 exhibited a Ca(II)-induced 44% decrease in the intrinsic fluorescence, compared with a 40% decrease in that of 10-Gla; 8-Gla fragment 1 revealed only 23% quenching. Ca(II)-dependent anti-normal prothrombin antibodies are not specific for 10-Gla prothrombin, since only a twofold molar excess of the 9-Gla isomer was required to displace equal amounts of labeled normal prothrombin. The most critical Gla residue for influencing the functional, thrombin-generating properties of prothrombin appears to be the one present in the 9-Gla isomer but absent in the 8-Gla variant, since 9-Gla prothrombin possesses four times the normal coagulant activity (78 versus 20%) of the 8-Gla isomer.

Identification of Different Forms of Human C4b-Binding Protein Lacking β-Chain and Protein S Binding Ability

Human C4b-binding protein (C4BP) is a multimeric regulatory component of the complement system that circulates in plasma either as a free protein or in a noncovalent complex with the vitamin K-dependent protein S. The major form of C4BP is composed of seven identical alpha-chains (70 kDa) and one beta-chain (45 kDa). C4BP was purified from human plasma after barium citrate adsorption using anti-C4BP monoclonal antibody affinity chromatography. C4BP-high and low Mr forms were both obtained from the barium citrate precipitate and the supernatant. C4BP-high and low forms from the barium citrate precipitate were separated by sodium dodecylsulfate polyacrylamide slab gel electrophoresis and extracted with Triton X-100. Both forms contained the beta-chain as was demonstrated on sodium dodecylsulfate polyacrylamide slab gel electrophoresis under reduced conditions after silver-staining and with Western-blotting using monoclonal antibodies specific for the beta-chain. The C4BP-high and low forms demonstrated similar protein S binding affinity (KA: 3.18 x 10(8) and 3.21 x 10(8) M-1, respectively) in a C4BP-protein S binding assay and a protein S ligand blot using a peroxidase-conjugated monoclonal anti-protein S antibody. The barium citrate supernatant contained two forms of C4BP-high and one form of C4BP-low. One form of C4BP-high did contain the beta-chain and was capable of protein S binding (KA: 4.35 x 10(8) M-1). The two other forms of C4BP lacked the beta-chain and were unable to bind protein S.

A moderate form of hemophilia B is caused by a novel mutation in the protease domain of factor IXVancouver

A genomic phage library was constructed using lymphocyte DNA from a patient with cross-reacting material-positive, moderately severe hemophilia B. The library was screened by using a full-length factor IX cDNA as a hybridization probe. DNA sequence analysis of the factor IX exons and intron/exon junctions revealed a single point mutation at nucleotide 31,311 of the gene. This mutation occurs in the protease domain of factor IXa and changes the codon for isoleucine 397 (ATA) to a threonine codon (ACA). The resulting abnormal protein has been named factor IXVancouver. Factor IXVancouver was isolated from the patient's plasma by barium citrate adsorption, affinity chromatography on a Ca2+-dependent antibody bound to agarose, and anion-exchange chromatography. On gel electrophoresis, the purified protein exhibited a normal molecular weight and a normal pattern of activation cleavages with bovine factor XIa. Kinetic studies on the purified protein indicated that the Km of factor IXaVancouver for human factor X was 3.4 times higher than that of normal factor IXa. The kcat of factor IXaVancouver was 12.5% of the kcat of normal factor IXa. Structural models of the protease domain of human factor IXa and of factor IXaVancouver were constructed, based on the homology of factor IXa with related serine proteases of known structure. The factor IXaVancouver model suggests that hydrogen bonding between the side chain hydroxyl group of threonine 397 and the carbonyl oxygen of tryptophan 385 reduces the ability of factor IXaVancouver to bind factor X in a configuration favoring catalysis.

Avian thrombocyte thrombospondin

A high molecular weight glycoprotein (450,000) was obtained from thrombin-treated duck thrombocytes by barium citrate adsorption technique followed by heparin-agarose affinity chromatography. Amino acid composition (high number of acidic amino acids and cystine) as well as carbohydrate contents (1.3 per cent hexosamine, 0.9 per cent sialic acid and 1.5 per cent hexose) showed similarity to mammalian platelet thrombospondin.

Propeptide of human protein C is necessary for .gamma.-carboxylation

Protein C is one of a family of vitamin K dependent proteins, including blood coagulation factors and bone proteins, that contains gamma-carboxyglutamic acid. Sequence analysis of the cDNAs for these proteins has revealed the presence of a prepro leader sequence that contains a pre sequence or hydrophobic signal sequence and a propeptide containing a number of highly conserved amino acids. The pre region is removed from the growing polypeptide chain by signal peptidase, while the pro region is subsequently removed from the protein prior to secretion. In the present study, deletion mutants have been constructed in the propeptide region of the cDNA for human protein C, and the cDNAs were then expressed in mammalian cell culture. These deletions included the removal of 4, 9, 12, 15, 16, or 17 amino acids comprising the carboxyl end of the leader sequence of 42 amino acids. The mutant proteins were then examined by Western blotting, barium citrate adsorption and precipitation, amino acid sequence analysis, and biological activity and compared with the native protein present in normal plasma. These experiments have shown that protein C is readily synthesized in mammalian cell cultures, processed, and secreted as a two-chain molecule with biological activity. Furthermore, the pre portion or signal sequence in human protein C is 18 amino acids in length, and the pro portion of the leader sequence is 24 amino acids in length. Also, during biosynthesis and secretion, the amino-terminal region of the propeptide (residues from about -12 through -17) is important for gamma-carboxylation of protein C, while the present data and those of others indicate that the carboxyl-terminal portion of the propeptide (residues -1 through -4) is important for the removal of the pro leader sequence by proteolytic processing.