Blood Coagulation Enzymes Research Articles

PP04.8 – 3010: The diagnostic value of thrombophilic genes' polymorphisms in children with transient ischemic attack

Objective To investigate the significance of prothrombotic single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and their combinations as the significant risk factor of transient ischemic attacks (TIA) in children. Methods Case-control study: 52 patients were compared with 117 controls. 10 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in blood coagulation and folic acid cycle's enzymes genes were identified. Inclusion criteria TIA's debut at the age under 18 y.o.; slavic origin; no changes on brain CT (MRI) and spinal tap. Results All patients had 2.84±0.17 vs 2.36±0.08 thrombophilic SNPs (p>0.05) and 2.16±0.13 vs 1.64±0.08 (p A, ITGA2: 807 C>T, ITGB3: 1565 T>C and PAI-1: –675 5G>4G differed significantly in TIA patients (OR=3.40–7.07, p Conclusion The number of thrombophilic SNPs and incident of the most severe (F2:G20210A, F5:G1691A, MTHFR:C677T) do not play the important role in TIA's patients in childhood. The combination 3 SNPs in genes of folic acid cycle's enzymes can increase the risk of TIA in children. There are no clear genes' combinations which inevitably lead to TIA, but we consider FGB: –455 G>A, PAI-1: –675 5G>4G and “sticky platelet” SNPs seems to be the good applicants to become such genes-candidates combinations.

Novel strategy to boost oral anticoagulant activity of blood coagulation enzyme inhibitors based on biotransformation into hydrophilic conjugates

The blood coagulation cascade represents an attractive target for antithrombotic drug development, and recent studies have attempted to identify oral anticoagulants with inhibitory activity for enzymes in this cascade, with particular attention focused on thrombin and factor Xa (fXa) as typical targets. We previously described the discovery of the orally active fXa inhibitor darexaban (1) and reported a unique profile that compound 1 rapidly transformed into glucuronide YM-222714 (2) after oral administration. Here, we propose a novel strategy towards the discovery of an orally active anticoagulant that is based on the bioconversion of a non-amidine inhibitor into the corresponding conjugate to boost ex vivo anticoagulant activity via an increase in hydrophilicity. Computational molecular modeling was utilized to select a template scaffold and design a substitution point to install a potential functional group for conjugation. This strategy led to the identification of the phenol-derived fXa inhibitor ASP8102 (14), which demonstrated highly potent anticoagulant activity after biotransformation into the corresponding glucuronide (16) via oral dosing.

Design, synthesis, and structure-activity and structure-pharmacokinetic relationship studies of novel [6,6,5] tricyclic fused oxazolidinones leading to the discovery of a potent, selective, and orally bioavailable FXa inhibitor.

The blood coagulation enzyme factor Xa (FXa) is a particularly promising target for anticoagulant therapy, and identification of oral small-molecule inhibitors of FXa remains a research focus. On the basis of the X-ray crystal structure of FXa and its inhibitor rivaroxaban, we designed and synthesized a series of conformationally restricted mimics containing a novel [6,6,5] tricyclic fused oxazolidinone scaffold. Intensive structure-activity relationship (SAR) and structure-pharmacokinetic relationship (SPR) studies on this new series led to the discovery of compound 11a: a highly potent, selective, direct, and orally bioavailable FXa inhibitor with excellent in vivo antithrombotic efficacy and preferable pharmacokinetic profiles. Druggability evaluation of compound 11a was undertaken and elicited positive outcomes. All results indicate that compound 11a is a promising drug candidate for the prevention and treatment of thromboembolic diseases in venous and arterial systems.

Antithrombotic and antidiabetic flavonoid glycosides from the grains of Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench var. hwanggeumchal.

A phytochemical study of the grains of S. bicolor, resulting in the isolation of twelve flavonoid glycosides 1-12. Their chemical structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic (1D and 2D NMR) and MS data analyses. All compounds were tested on thrombin time (TT) assay and α-glucosidase assay in order to assess their inhibitory effects on blood coagulation and α-glucosidase enzyme. At the concentration of 500 μg/mL, compounds 3, 4, 7 and 10 possessed the potential effects on blood coagulation with inhibitory percentage of 197, 152, 120 and 158 %, respectively, whereas aspirin, which used as a positive control, indicated 181 and 138 % inhibition at 500 and 375 μg/mL, respectively. Furthermore, compounds 3, 4, 7, 9 and 10 also displayed strong inhibitory effects on α-glucosidase enzyme, with 85.2, 55.7, 43.9, 52.7 and 65.2 % inhibition at 100 μg/mL, respectively, whereas acarbose, as a positive control, possessed only 38.7 % at the same concentration. Taken together, our data suggest that S. bicolor and its flavonoid-enrich extracts could be considered as supplemental and or functional foods having beneficial effects against blood coagulation-induced ischemia, possibly thromboembolism disease, as well as diabetes.

Activation of blood coagulation in cancer: implications for tumour progression

Several studies have suggested a role for blood coagulation proteins in tumour progression. Herein, we discuss (1) the activation of the blood clotting cascade in the tumour microenvironment and its impact on primary tumour growth; (2) the intravascular activation of blood coagulation and its impact on tumour metastasis and cancer-associated thrombosis; and (3) antitumour therapies that target blood-coagulation-associated proteins. Expression levels of the clotting initiator protein TF (tissue factor) have been correlated with tumour cell aggressiveness. Simultaneous TF expression and PS (phosphatidylserine) exposure by tumour cells promote the extravascular activation of blood coagulation. The generation of blood coagulation enzymes in the tumour microenvironment may trigger the activation of PARs (protease-activated receptors). In particular, PAR1 and PAR2 have been associated with many aspects of tumour biology. The procoagulant activity of circulating tumour cells favours metastasis, whereas the release of TF-bearing MVs (microvesicles) into the circulation has been correlated with cancer-associated thrombosis. Given the role of coagulation proteins in tumour progression, it has been proposed that they could be targets for the development of new antitumour therapies.

Protease-activated receptor-2 (PAR2) mediates VEGF production through the ERK1/2 pathway in human glioblastoma cell lines

Glioblastoma (GBM) is a highly aggressive cancer type characterized by intense neovascularization. Several lines of evidence indicate that blood clotting enzymes play an important role in the tumor microenvironment, mainly through the activation of protease-activated receptors (PAR). In particular, PAR1 and PAR2 isoforms may activate signal transduction pathways that promote a number of pro-tumoral responses. However, little is known concerning the role of PAR1/PAR2 in GBM progression. In this study, we investigated the expression and function of PAR1 and PAR2 in the human GBM cell lines A172 and U87-MG. We also evaluated the effect of agonist peptides for PAR1 (PAR1-AP) and PAR2 (PAR2-AP) on signaling pathways and the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Immunoblotting assays showed that A172 and U87-MG constitutively express PAR1 and PAR2. Treatment of GBM cells with PAR1-AP or PAR2-AP enhanced Akt (protein kinase B) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) phosphorylation in a time-dependent manner. LY29042 and PD98059, inhibitors of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways, decreased PAR-mediated activation of Akt and ERK1/2, respectively. In addition, we observed that PAR2, but not PAR1, activation increased VEGF secretion in U87-MG and A172 cells. Notably, only PD98059 reduced PAR2-mediated VEGF production by GBM cells. Our results suggest that PAR2 modulates VEGF production through the MAPK/ERK1/2 pathway, and not the PI3K/Akt pathway, in human GBM cell lines. Therefore, the PAR2/MAPK signaling axis might be regarded as a relevant target for adjuvant treatment of GBM with a possible impact on tumor angiogenesis.

PO-79 Protease-activated receptor-2 (PAR2) mediates VEGF production through the ERK1/2 pathway in human glioblastoma cell lines

Glioblastoma (GBM) is a highly aggressive cancer type characterized by intense neovascularization. Several lines of evidence indicate that blood clotting enzymes play an important role in the tumor microenvironment, mainly through the activation of protease-activated receptors (PAR). In particular, PAR1 and PAR2 isoforms may activate signal transduction pathways that promote a number of pro-tumoral responses. However, little is known concerning the role of PAR1/PAR2 in GBM progression. In this study, we investigated the expression and function of PAR1 and PAR2 in the human GBM cell lines A172 and U87-MG. We also evaluated the effect of agonist peptides for PAR1 (PAR1-AP) and PAR2 (PAR2-AP) on signaling pathways and the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Immunoblotting assays showed that A172 and U87-MG constitutively express PAR1 and PAR2. Treatment of GBM cells with PAR1-AP or PAR2-AP enhanced Akt (protein kinase B) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) phosphorylation in a time-dependent manner. LY29042 and PD98059, inhibitors of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways, decreased PAR-mediated activation of Akt and ERK1/2, respectively. In addition, we observed that PAR2, but not PAR1, activation increased VEGF secretion in U87-MG and A172 cells. Notably, only PD98059 reduced PAR2-mediated VEGF production by GBM cells. Our results suggest that PAR2 modulates VEGF production through the MAPK/ERK1/2 pathway, and not the PI3K/Akt pathway, in human GBM cell lines. Therefore, the PAR2/MAPK signaling axis might be regarded as a relevant target for adjuvant treatment of GBM with a possible impact on tumor angiogenesis.

Factor Xa Generation by Computational Modeling: An Additional Discriminator to Thrombin Generation Evaluation

Factor (f)Xa is a critical enzyme in blood coagulation that is responsible for the initiation and propagation of thrombin generation. Previously we have shown that analysis of computationally generated thrombin profiles is a tool to investigate hemostasis in various populations. In this study, we evaluate the potential of computationally derived time courses of fXa generation as another approach for investigating thrombotic risk. Utilizing the case (n = 473) and control (n = 426) population from the Leiden Thrombophilia Study and each individual's plasma protein factor composition for fII, fV, fVII, fVIII, fIX, fX, antithrombin and tissue factor pathway inhibitor, tissue factor-initiated total active fXa generation was assessed using a mathematical model. FXa generation was evaluated by the area under the curve (AUC), the maximum rate (MaxR) and level (MaxL) and the time to reach these, TMaxR and TMaxL, respectively. FXa generation was analyzed in the entire populations and in defined subgroups (by sex, age, body mass index, oral contraceptive use). The maximum rates and levels of fXa generation occur over a 10- to 12- fold range in both cases and controls. This variation is larger than that observed with thrombin (3–6 fold) in the same population. The greatest risk association was obtained using either MaxR or MaxL of fXa generation; with an ∼2.2 fold increased risk for individuals exceeding the 90th percentile. This risk was similar to that of thrombin generation(MaxR OR 2.6). Grouping defined by oral contraceptive (OC) use in the control population showed the biggest differences in fXa generation; a >60% increase in the MaxR upon OC use. FXa generation can distinguish between a subset of individuals characterized by overlapping thrombin generation profiles. Analysis of fXa generation is a phenotypic characteristic which may prove to be a more sensitive discriminator than thrombin generation among all individuals.

Modulation of Prothrombinase Assembly and Activity by Phosphatidylethanolamine

Abstract 4344Localization of blood coagulation enzymes and cofactors to the surface of procoagulant anionic phospholipid membranes is a central paradigm in hemostasis and thrombosis. The prototype for these complexes is the prothrombinase complex that catalyzes the conversion of prothrombin to thrombin. This enzyme complex consists of the enzyme factor Xa, the cofactor factor Va and calcium bound to a phospholipid surface. Formation of the prothrombinase complex results in a greater than 105-fold rate enhancement in the conversion of prothrombin to thrombin. Abnormal regulation of the prothrombinase complex has been demonstrated to be critical in the pathogenesis of thrombotic disorders.Constituents of platelet membranes regulate the activity of the prothrombinase complex. We demonstrate that membranes containing phosphatidylcholine (PC) and phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) bind factor Va with high affinity (Kd∼10 nM) in the absence of phosphatidylserine (PS). These membranes support formation of a 60–70% functional prothrombinase complex at saturating factor Va concentrations. While reduced interfacial packing does contribute to factor Va binding in the absence of PS, it does not correlate with the enhanced activity of the Xa-Va complex assembled on PE-containing membranes. Instead, specific protein-PE interactions appear to contribute to the effects of PE. In support of this, soluble C6PE binds to recombinant factor Va2 (Kd ∼6.5 mM) and to factor Xa (Kd ∼ 91 mM). C6PE and C6PS binding sites in factor Xa are specific, distinct and linked, as binding of one lipid enhances the binding and activity effects of the other. C6PE triggers assembly (Kdapp ∼40nM) of a partially active prothrombinase complex between factor Xa and factor Va2, compared to Kdapp for C6PS ∼2nM. We report here seven significant new observations:1.PE effects kcat more than KM. A kcat effect strongly implies an enzyme or cofactor conformational change, while a KM effect could be due to conformational changes or to altered binding of enzyme-cofactor and substrate to the membrane.2.PE promotes binding of factor Va to membranes.3.PE promotes assembly of a prothrombinase complex due its effects on factors Va and Xa independent of the presence of a membrane and thus not due to its effects on membrane packing.4.30% PE does not produce a measurable effect on factor Xa membrane binding.5.C6PE and C6PS bind synergistically to sites on factor Xa to alter its activity.6.C6PE binds to factor Va with greater affinity than does C6PS, but binding of these lipids to sites on this protein is not synergistic.7.Both PS and PE promote prothrombinase activity, but the magnitudes of these effects do not correlate with their effects on membrane interfacial packing.These findings provide new insights into the possible synergistic roles of platelet PE and PS in regulating thrombin formation, particularly when exposed membrane PS may be limiting. Disclosures:No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Platelet membrane phospholipid asymmetry: from the characterization of a scramblase activity to the identification of an essential protein mutated in Scott syndrome.

Like all eukaryotic cells, platelets maintain plasma membrane phospholipid asymmetry in normal blood circulation via lipid transporters, which control transbilayer movement. Upon platelet activation, the asymmetric orientation of membrane phospholipids is rapidly disrupted, resulting in a calcium-dependent exposure of the anionic phospholipid, phosphatidylserine (PS), at the outer platelet surface. This newly-exposed PS surface is a major component of normal hemostasis because it supports platelet procoagulant function. Binding of blood clotting enzyme complexes to this negatively-charged membrane surface allows a dramatic increase in the rate of conversion of zymogens to active serine proteases, which in turn produce a burst of thrombin leading to the formation of a fibrin clot and further platelet activation. Cells have the capacity to catalyze transbilayer phospholipid exchange via ATP-requiring translocase enzymes (flippases and floppases), which control unidirectional phospholipid transport against a concentration gradient. They also use an energy-independent, calcium-dependent scramblase activity to govern the bidirectional exchange of phospholipids between the two leaflets of the bilayer; this activity is essential for PS exposure during platelet activation. Scramblase activity, biochemically characterized in the 1980s, is deficient in patients with Scott syndrome, a rare inherited bleeding disorder with defective platelet procoagulant activity. Despite considerable efforts, the platelet scramblase protein remained elusive for years but a significant advance has recently been made with the identification of TMEM16F, a membrane protein essential for calcium-dependent PS exposure whose loss of function mutations are found in Scott syndrome. This review recalls historical aspects of platelet membrane asymmetry characterization, summarizes the mechanisms and roles of PS exposure following platelet activation and discusses the recent identification of TMEM16F and its significance in the scrambling process.

Biarylmethoxy isonipecotanilides as potent and selective inhibitors of blood coagulation factor Xa

New chloro-substituted biarylmethoxyphenyl piperidine-4-carboxamides were synthesized and assayed in vitro as inhibitors of the blood coagulation enzymes factor Xa (fXa) and thrombin. An investigation of effects of the amidine and isopropyl groups attached at the piperidine nitrogen and 5-(halogenoaryl)isoxazol-3-yl groups as biaryl substituents led us to identify new compounds which proved to be selective fXa inhibitors, with inhibition constants in the low nanomolar range. The most potent compound 21e, that incorporates 2-Cl-thiophen-5-yl group as the P1 motif and 1-isopropylpiperidine P4 group, inhibited fXa with Ki value of 0.3nM and very high selectivity over thrombin and some other tested serine proteases, achieving moderate levels of anticoagulant activity in the low micromolar range, as assessed by the prothrombin time clotting assay (PT2=3.30μM). Based on reliable docking simulations, molecular modeling provided a rationale for interpreting structure–activity relationships. The predicted binding modes highlighted the structural requirements for addressing the subsites S1 and S4 of the fXa enzyme.

Toward an understanding of fibrin branching structure.

The blood clotting enzyme thrombin converts fibrinogen molecules into fibrin monomers which polymerize to form a fibrous three-dimensional gel. The concentration of thrombin affects the architecture of the resulting gel, in particular, a higher concentration of thrombin produces a gel with more branch points per unit volume and with shorter fiber segments between branch points. We propose a mechanism by which fibrin branching can occur and show that this mechanism can lead to dependence of the gel's structure (at the time of gelation) on the rate at which monomer is supplied. A higher rate of monomer supply leads to a gel with a higher branch concentration and with shorter fiber segments between branch points. The origin of this dependence is explained.

Aptamer conjugated Mo 6S 9− xI x nanowires for direct and highly sensitive electrochemical sensing of thrombin

We demonstrate the use of a novel electrochemical sensing platform based on aptamer conjugated Mo 6S 9− x I x nanowires (MoSI NWs) for the highly sensitive detection of the blood clotting enzyme thrombin. MoSI NWs nanowires were self-assembled on a gold electrode to which thrombin binding aptamers were covalently attached. The modification and immobilization steps of the electrodes were characterised by cyclic voltammetry along with high-resolution transmission electron microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The platform is based on the creation of a self-assembled MoSI MW layer via the sulfur–gold affinity followed by the creation of MoSI-thiolated aptamer conjugates via the sulfur–sulfur affinity. Using this system, sensitive quantitative detection of thrombin is realized by monitoring differences of differential pulse voltammetric responses of electrostatically trapped [Ru(NH 3) 6] 3+ cations to the aptamer before and after thrombin binding. The sensitivity limit for the detection of thrombin is 10 pM. This value is 10-fold better than all currently reported one step label free electrochemical strategies. Given the direct label free nature of the approach and the simplicity of the electronic detection, the aptamer conjugated MoSI NWs biosensor appears well suited for implementation in portable point of care microdevices directed at the rapid and sensitive detection of proteins and pathogens.

Fluorinated Benzyloxyphenyl Piperidine-4-carboxamides with Dual Function against Thrombosis: Inhibitors of Factor Xa and Platelet Aggregation

A series of benzyloxy anilides of nipecotic (5, 6) and isonipecotic (7, 8) acids were synthesized and assayed in vitro as inhibitors of ADP-induced platelet aggregation and the blood coagulation enzymes factor Xa (FXa) and thrombin (FIIa). An exploration of effects of the amidine group attached at the piperidine nitrogen, position and substitution (F, phenyl) of the benzyloxy group, and addition of fluorine/s on the second (distal) phenyl ring, led us to single out some promising isonipecotamide derivatives 7. Addition of meta-F and para-CF(3) on the distal phenyl ring resulted in a 6-to-18-fold enhancement of the FXa potency and in 2-to-4-fold increase of the antiplatelet potency, the last depending to a large extent upon lipophilicity. Two congeners of N-{[3-(1,1'-biphenyl-4-yl)methoxy]phenyl}piperidine-4-carboxamide (7m and 7p) proved to be potent FXa-selective inhibitors (K(i) = 130 and 57 nM, respectively) and antiplatelet agents and were identified as leads for developing new dual function antithrombotic drugs.

Conformational Dynamics of Antithrombin III With its Allosteric Activator Heparin

Antithrombin III (ATIII) is a serpin that is involved in the regulation of blood coagulation through the inhibition of blood clotting enzymes. Heparin is an allosteric activator of ATIII that binds to helix-D and causes a conformational change in the reactive center loop (RCL), expelling it from its position partially inserted into beta-sheet A. RCL expulsion in turn increases ATIII activity toward fXa several hundred-fold. Hydrogen/deuterium exchange and mass spectrometry were used to probe the dynamics of ATIII in the presence and absence of a synthetic heparin pentasaccharide (Fondaparinux). Results of our initial hydrogen/deuterium exchange mass spectrometry experiments provide direct, solution phase evidence that heparin cofactor binding alters conformational dynamics in four specific regions of the antithrombin molecule. (1) Helix D -- Heparin binding reduced H/D, consistent with hD extension upon cofactor binding. (2) Breach region -- Beta strands 3A and 5A, flanking the site for RCL insertion into sheet A, showed reduced H/D exchange, consistent with increased rigidity of the breach region and stabilization of a loop-expelled form. (3) Proximal RCL and hinge region -- H/D exchange for residues 376-387, which includes the N-terminal hinge region of the RCL, increased in the presence of heparin, indicating greater solvent exposure and expulsion from beta sheet A. (4) Distal RCL -- Deuterium exchange for 388-402, which includes s1C and the distal side of the RCL, decreased significantly in the presence of heparin, suggesting that s1C extension-mediated stabilization on the C-terminal side of RCL contributes to exposure of the proximal its end upon cofactor binding. Thus, dynamic H/D exchange studies of free and heparin-bound antithrombin molecules in solution will be useful for validating and refining models of ATIII heparin activation inferred from crystal structures.

Effect of sub-hypothermia therapy on coagulopathy after severe head injury

Effect of sub-hypothermia therapy on coagulopathy after severe head injury

Structure of Activated Thrombin-Activatable Fibrinolysis Inhibitor, a Molecular Link between Coagulation and Fibrinolysis

Thrombin-activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor (TAFI) is a metallocarboxypeptidase (MCP) that links blood coagulation and fibrinolysis. TAFI hampers fibrin-clot lysis and is a pharmacological target for the treatment of thrombotic conditions. TAFI is transformed through removal of its prodomain by thrombin-thrombomodulin into TAFIa, which is intrinsically unstable and has a short half-life in vivo. Here we show that purified bovine TAFI activated in the presence of a proteinaceous inhibitor renders a stable enzyme-inhibitor complex. Its crystal structure reveals that TAFIa conforms to the alpha/beta-hydrolase fold of MCPs and displays two unique flexible loops on the molecular surface, accounting for structural instability and susceptibility to proteolysis. In addition, point mutations reported to enhance protein stability in vivo are mainly located in the first loop and in another surface region, which is a potential heparin-binding site. The protein inhibitor contacts both the TAFIa active site and an exosite, thus contributing to high inhibitory efficiency.

Isolation and Characterization of a Serine Protease, Ba III-4, from Peruvian Bothrops atrox venom

A serine protease from Bothrops atrox (Peruvian specimen's venom) was isolated in two chromatographic steps in LC molecular exclusion and reverse phase-HPLC. This protein was denominated Ba III-4 (33,080.265 Da determinated by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry) and showed pI of 5.06, Km 0.2 x 10(-1 ) M and the V (máx) 4.1 x 10(-1 )nmoles p-NA/lt/min on the synthetic substrate BapNA. Ba III-4 also showed ability to coagulate bovine fibrinogen. The serine protease was inhibited by soyben trypsin inhibitor and DA2II, which is an anti-hemorrhagic factor isolated from the opossum specie Didelphis albiventris. The primary structure of Ba III-4 showed the presence of His(44), Asp(94) and Ser(193) residues in the corresponding positions to the catalytic triad established in the serine proteases and Ser(193) are inhibited by phenylmethylsulfonylfluoride (PMSF). Amino acid analysis showed a high content of Asp, Glu, Gly, Ser, Ala and Pro, as well as 12 half-cysteine residues. Ba III-4 contained 293 amino acid residues and the primary structure of VIGGDECDIN EHPFLAFMYY SPRYFCGMTL INQEWVLTAA HCRYFCGMTL IHLGVHRESE KANYDEVRRF PKEKYFIFCD NNFTDDEVDK DIMLIRLDKP VSNSEHIAPL SLPSNPPSVG SVCRIMGWGQ TTTSPIDVLS PDEPHCANIN LFDNTVCHTA HPQVANTRTS TDTLCAGDLQ GGRDTCNGDS GGPLICNEQL HGILSWGGDP CAQPNKPAFY TKVYYFDHPW IKSIIAGNKK TVNFTCPPLR SDAKDDSTTY INQEWDWVLT AEHCDRTHMR NSFYDYSSIN SDS. Titration experiments did not show the presence of free sulfhydryl groups after 4 h incubation, nor were differences found in relation to titration kinetics in the presence of nondenaturating buffer. The isolation of this protein, Ba III-4, is of potential interest for the understanding of the pathomechanism of the snake venom action and for the identification of new blood coagulation enzymes of natural sources.

Crystal Structure of the Serine Protease Domain of Prophenoloxidase Activating Factor-I

A family of serine proteases (SPs) mediates the proteolytic cascades of embryonic development and immune response in invertebrates. These proteases, called easter-type SPs, consist of clip and chymotrypsin-like SP domains. The SP domain of easter-type proteases differs from those of typical SPs in its primary structure. Herein, we report the first crystal structure of the SP domain of easter-type proteases, presented as that of prophenoloxidase activating factor (PPAF)-I in zymogen form. This structure reveals several important structural features including a bound calcium ion, an additional loop with a unique disulfide linkage, a canyon-like deep active site, and an exposed activation loop. We subsequently show the role of the bound calcium and the proteolytic susceptibility of the activation loop, which occurs in a clip domain-independent manner. Based on biochemical study in the presence of heparin, we suggest that PPAF-III, highly homologous to PPAF-I, contains a surface patch that is responsible for enhancing the catalytic activity through interaction with a nonsubstrate region of a target protein. These results provide insights into an activation mechanism of easter-type proteases in proteolytic cascades, in comparison with the well studied blood coagulation enzymes in mammals.

Marqueurs des pathologies thrombotiques: Les microparticules procoagulantes

Thrombosis remains one of the leading causes of mortality and morbidity in developed countries. Relevant markers of the primary thrombotic risk however remain of limited accessibility, and clinicians are left with markers of essentially etiological nature. Fortunately, new entities, testifying to cellular activation or damage within the vascular compartment, have been recently described and are in the validation process. Microparticles (MP) are plasma membrane fragments released by stimulated or apoptotic cells. In the vascular compartment, they constitute a disseminated storage pool of bioactive effectors involved in inflammation, thrombosis, vascular tone, angiogenesis. Their biological characteristics are predetermined by the cytosolic and membraneous components hijacked from the activated cells. Their procoagulant properties are based on, (i) the accessibility of phosphatidylserine, a procoagulant aminophospholipid exposed after stimulation and necessary for the assembly of the blood clotting enzyme complexes, and (ii) the possible presence of tissue factor, the major initiator of the coagulation cascade. The incidence of MP in haemostatic processes has been demonstrated in physiology and pathology. They are now considered true pathogenic markers of the thrombotic risk.