Phosphatidylcholine And Phosphatidylserine Research Articles

Structural and Aggregation Properties of Alpha-Synuclein Linked to Phospholipase A2 Action.

Alpha-synuclein is a protein involved in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease. In vitro observations have shown that specific brain-enriched polyunsaturated fatty acids, such as arachidonic acid, can give rise to a conformational change in alpha-synuclein and ultimately induce its fibrillation. Arachidonic acid is released by phospholipase A2 activity and clinical observations have shown a link between mutations in PLA2G6, the gene responsible for the production of phospholipase A2, and early-onset types of parkinsonism. It is unknown how phospholipase A2-driven release of arachidonic acid can affect the conformation of alphasynuclein. The main objective of this study was to investigate if phospholipase A2-induced release of arachidonic acid can induce changes in conformation and aggregation state of alpha-synuclein. Recombinant human alpha-synuclein was expressed and isolated and incubated in the presence of phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylserine (PC/PS) containing liposomes. The release of free fatty acids from PC/PS liposomes by bee venom phospholipase A2 was measured with the fluorescent probe acrylodated intestinal fatty acid-binding protein (ADIFAB) and radioactive labelling by preparing liposomes in the presence of L- 3-phosphatidylcholine, 1-stearyl-2[1-14C] arachidonoyl. The effect of free fatty acid release on the conformation of alpha-synuclein was assayed by far-UV circular dichroism and resistance against V8 protease-induced limited proteolysis. Aggregation of alpha-synuclein upon exposure to phospholipase A2-induced action on PC/PS liposomes was measured using thioflavin T fluorescence, SDS-PAGE, gel filtration chromatography, and transmission electron microscopy. RAW264.7 cells were transiently transfected with human alpha-synuclein and release of arachidonic acid was quantified using radiolabeling and liquid scintillation counting. Phospholipase A2 is capable of releasing arachidonic acid from biomimetic phospholipid membranes. Exposure of alpha-synuclein to phospholipase A2-induced release of arachidonic acid from PC/PS liposomes induces a conformational transition of the protein and leads to partial resistance against proteolytic cleavage by V8 protease. Prolonged incubation of alpha-synuclein with arachidonic acid, derived from PC/PS liposomes by phospholipase A2 leads to aggregate formation. In line with this, transiently transfected RAW264.7 cells with alpha-synuclein showed arachidonic acid release and punctate alpha-synuclein staining upon phospholipase A2 activation. The ability of arachidonic acid to drive alpha-synuclein to aggregate was independent of its oxidation state. We present data that suggest a biological context for the previously reported clinical observation that linked mutations in PLA2G6, the gene responsible for the production of phospholipase A2, and early-onset types of parkinsonism. Release of arachidonic acid, independent of its oxidation state, through activation of phospholipase A2-driven hydrolysis of phospholipid membranes, leads to the structural transition and aggregation of alpha-synuclein.

Differences in Membrane Binding Cooperativity between the Tandem C2 Domains of Synaptotagmin 1 and Synaptotagmin 7

Synaptotagmin 1 (Syt1), a Ca2+ sensor involved in exocytosis in pre-synaptic neurons, contains a characteristic tandem C2 sequence (C2AB) which inserts into anionic membranes in the presence of Ca2+. Previous studies have shown that the C2AB fragment of Syt1 inserts into target membranes more deeply than either individual C2A or C2B domain, suggesting cooperative interaction between C2A and C2B in the membrane-docked state. This behavior stands in apparent contrast to that of another family member, Syt7, whose C2A and C2B domains have been shown to bind membranes independently. To compare the cooperative behaviors of the C2 domains in these two isoforms, the dissociation kinetics (off-rates) of protein-liposome complexes were measured upon addition of the Ca2+ chelator EDTA using stopped-flow fluorescence spectroscopy. Using liposomes composed of a 1:1 mixture of phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylserine (PC/PS), the Syt1 C2AB tandem domain exhibits a much slower off-rate than either of the single domains. In contrast, dissociation kinetics for Syt7 C2AB were best fit to a two-step model in which each rate constant matches those from the individual domains. This preliminary result supports the presence of interdomain interactions in the membrane-docked state of Syt1 C2AB but not Syt7 C2AB. These experiments were performed with protein domains purified using affinity chromatography with high-salt washes and verified to be >95% free of nucleic acid contaminants; ongoing work aims to assess effects of polyanions on this apparent cooperative behavior, including ion-exchange steps in the protein purifications.

The Effect Of Physiological Metal Ions On The Procoagulant Enzyme-Cofactor Complexes Of The Extrinsic Pathway Of Coagulation

IntroductionThe rapid coagulation response to vascular injury is mediated by the formation of three enzyme cofactor complexes (extrinsic tenase, intrinsic tenase and prothrombinase) on membrane surfaces. A common structural feature of these proteases is their GLA domains, each of which requires the binding of divalent metal ions at multiple sites to achieve the conformation necessary for optimal membrane and cofactor binding. Both Ca2+ and Mg2+ ions have been reported to bind to GLA domain sites. However almost all studies kinetically characterizing these complexes have been done in the presence of Ca2+ (2-5 mM) as the sole metal ion, despite the relatively equivalent availability in plasma of both free Ca2+ (∼1.1 mM) and Mg2+ (∼0.6 mM) (Ca2+/Mg2+). A recent study has systematically examined the effects of various Ca2+ concentrations with and without Mg2+ on the membrane binding of activated protein C (APC) and FVIIa and enzymatic activity of APC and the extrinsic tenase complex which were enhanced in Ca2+/Mg2+ relative to Ca2+ alone (Vadivel, K., et al, 2013 JMB). In the current study we compare the effects of plasma levels of Ca2+ and Mg2+ versus Ca2+alone on the catalytic performances of the extrinsic tenase, intrinsic tenase and prothrombinase complexes individually and collectively. MethodsAll experiments were conducted in Hepes buffered saline pH 7.4 containing 0.1% PEG and either 2 mM Ca2+ or 1.1 mM Ca2+/0.6 mM Mg2+ (Ca2+/Mg2+). In closed system experiments, enzyme-cofactor complexes were assembled on phospholipid vesicles composed of a 3:1 ratio of synthetic phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylserine (PCPS), and zymogen activation monitored via sampling into assay mixtures containing the appropriate chromogenic substrate. In open system experiments complexes were preassembled on PCPS coated capillaries, the zymogen delivered in the flowing phase and the extent of zymogen activation monitored in the effluent as described previously (Haynes, LM., et al, 2011 Biophys J). The combined interaction of the procoagulant enzyme cofactor complexes under both metal ion conditions was studied in a synthetic coagulation proteome monitoring thrombin (IIa) generation as previously described (van't Veer, C., and Mann, KG, 1997 JBC). ResultsExtrinsic tenase The extrinsic tenase complex had an approximately two-fold higher rate of FXa generation in the presence of Ca2+/Mg2+ (1.78 ±0.05 pM/s) versus Ca2+ alone (0.88 ± 0.02 pM/s) (N=3, p<0.001). Experiments were also conducted in the absence or presence of tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI); in the presence of TFPI and Ca2+/Mg2+ ions the extrinsic tenase complex was three times as catalytically active compared to TFPI and Ca2+ only (N=3, p<0.05). Direct FXa inhibition by TFPI was not significantly different between the Ca2+ and Ca2+/Mg2+ containing buffers. Intrinsic tenase In closed system experiments the intrinsic tenase complex showed impaired FXa generation in the presence of Ca2+/Mg2+ (29.3 ± 3.4 pM/s) compared to Ca2+ alone (51.7 ± 3.0 pM/s) (N=3, p<0.001). Thrombin activation of FVIII was not statistically different between both buffers, however the presence of Ca2+/Mg2+ resulted in a more rapid loss of cofactor activity over Ca2+ alone. Prothrombinase Under flow, IIa generation measured from prothrombinase was not statistically different between both buffers when measured at five different shear rates (100-1000s-1, N≥2). Plasma proteome In the synthetic coagulation proteome (N=4) the presence of Ca2+/Mg2+ led to an average 31% increase in maximum IIa levels compared to Ca2+alone and an average decrease of 1 minute to reach maximum levels. ConclusionsIn summary, the presence of plasma levels of Ca2+ and Mg2+, compared to Ca2+ alone, enhances the initiation phase of the extrinsic pathway of coagulation by enhancing the rate of FXa generation from the extrinsic tenase complex while also impairing the TFPI inhibition of the extrinsic tenase complex. These procoagulant effects are potentially abrogated by the suppressive effects of Ca2+/Mg2+ on the intrinsic tenase complex, potentially caused by the increased rate of spontaneous inactivation of FVIIIa. These results highlight the importance of complementing the assessments of individual enzyme complex systems with studies of the larger complex systems in which they function to identify the net physiologic impact of metal ions that target various components in the coagulation cascade. Disclosures:Mann:Haematologic Technologies, Inc: Equity Ownership, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees.

Functional Analysis of the Autographa californica Multiple Nucleopolyhedrovirus GP64 Terminal Fusion Loops and Interactions with Membranes

The Autographa californica multiple nucleopolyhedrovirus (AcMNPV) glycoprotein GP64 is the major envelope protein of the budded virus (BV). GP64 is a class III fusion protein that mediates BV attachment to the cell surface and low-pH-triggered membrane fusion between the BV envelope and the endosome membrane during entry. Class III fusion proteins contain terminal looped structures that are believed to interact with membranes. To examine the functions of 3 loops found at the apex of the GP64 postfusion structure, we generated 2-alanine substitutions that scanned the two so-called fusion loops (loop 1 and loop 2) plus an adjacent loop structure (loop 3) that is closely attached to loop 2 and is also found at the apex of the GP64 postfusion structure. We identified essential residues from Y75 to T86 (loop 1) and N149 to H156 (loop 2) that are required for fusion activity, but no essential residues in loop 3. Further analysis revealed that critical fusion loop residues fall within two groups that are associated with either membrane merger (hemifusion) or fusion pore expansion. We next examined the interactions of soluble GP64 proteins and BV with membranes composed of various phospholipids. BV interacted directly with small unilamellar vesicles (SUVs) comprised of phospholipids phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidic acid (PC/PA) or phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylserine (PC/PS) under neutral and acidic pH. We also examined the interactions of soluble GP64 constructs containing substitutions of the most hydrophobic residues within each of the two fusion loops. We found that a 2-residue substitution in either single loop (loop 1 [positions 81 and 82] or loop 2 [positions 153 and 154]) was not sufficient to substantially reduce the GP64-liposome interaction, but the same substitutions in both fusion loops severely reduced the GP64-liposome association at neutral pH. These results suggest that critical hydrophobic residues in both fusion loops may be involved in the interaction of GP64 with host cellular membranes and direct GP64-membrane interactions may represent a receptor-binding step prior to a low-pH-triggered conformational change.

Human Platelets and Endothelial Cells Differentially Regulate the Pathway for Prothrombin Cleavage by Prothrombinase.

Human prothrombinase assembled on synthetic membranes composed of phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylserine (PCPS) catalyzes thrombin formation almost exclusively by sequential cleavage of prothrombin at Arg320 to yield the protease meizothrombin (mIIa) as an intermediate which is then further cleaved at Arg271. This cleavage pathway arises because Arg320 in intact prothrombin is cleaved ∼30-fold faster than Arg271. When prothrombin lacks γ-carboxyglutamic acid modifications (desGlaII), product formation is modestly decreased but bond cleavage largely occurs in the opposite order, yielding the zymogen, prethrombin 2 (P2), as an intermediate. This results from a reduction in the rate of cleavage at Arg320 in intact prothrombin and a partly compensating gain of function in cleavage at Arg271. Thus, membrane binding and/or other interactions mediated by γ-carboxyglutamic acids in the substrate play a major role in modulating the pathway for cleavage and whether the intermediate is a zymogen or protease. We now extend these approaches to evaluate prothrombinase function on activated platelets and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) at the physiologic concentration of prothrombin. Prothrombin activation was detected by measuring the appearance of product(s) with proteolytic activity and by analysis of the cleavage process by SDS-PAGE and western blot analysis quantitatively imaged by infrared fluorescence. This approach was validated by documenting equivalence in the progress curves obtained by western blot imaging or following staining of total protein in a purified system with PCPS membranes. Prothrombin cleavage was assessed using human platelets (108/ml), activated with thrombin and studied with saturating concentrations of Va and a limiting concentration of Xa. The pattern of prothrombin cleavage, intermediate accumulation and product formation was clearly distinct from that observed with PCPS membranes, indicating substantial flux towards thrombin formation via initial cleavage at Arg271 followed by cleavage at Arg320 producing the zymogen P2 as an intermediate. Transient formation of mIIa from initial cleavage at Arg320 was undetectable. Thus, prothrombinase assembled on thrombin activated platelets cleaves prothrombin in a way that is reminiscent of the cleavage of desGlaII rather than fully carboxylated prothrombin seen with PCPS membranes. In contrast, equivalent studies with prothrombinase assembled on thrombin activated HUVECs produced cleavage patterns consistent with significant flux towards thrombin formation via initial cleavage of prothrombin at Arg320 yielding mIIa as an intermediate. The use of desGlaII with HUVECs yielded lower rates and cleavage patterns similar to those obtained with fully carboxylated prothrombin in the platelet reactions. Our results document that the cleavage pathway for thrombin formation is dependent on cell type. Because mIIa is a protease with a different spectrum of activities from thrombin, its formation restricted to the vessel wall suggests an important regulatory role for the modulation of the pathway of prothrombin cleavage. Such bimodal regulation of the pathway for prothrombin cleavage on HUVECs and platelets suggests differential roles of prothrombinase assembled on platelets versus endothelium in regulating the hemostatic response to vascular injury.

The activation of prothrombin by the prothrombinase complex. The contribution of the substrate-membrane interaction to catalysis.

The conversion of prothrombin to thrombin requires the cleavage of two peptide bonds and is catalyzed by the prothrombinase complex composed of factors Xa and Va assembled on a membrane surface. Presteady-state kinetic studies of the effects of membranes on the proteolytic reaction were undertaken using model membranes composed of phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylserine (PCPS). The concentration of PCPS was varied to alter the concentration of free phospholipid available for substrate binding without influencing the concentration of membrane-assembled prothrombinase. In fluorescence stopped-flow measurements, increasing concentrations of PCPS resulted in an increase in the rate of product formation. Assessment of bond cleavage by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis following rapid chemical quench using 125I-prothrombin revealed that the activation reaction proceeded through the ordered cleavage at Arg323-Ile324 followed by cleavage at Art274-Thr275 at all concentrations of PCPS. Increasing the PCPS concentration resulted in a large increase in the Arg323-Ile324 cleavage reaction with a much smaller effect on the subsequent cleavage at Arg274-Thr275, thereby leading to an increase in the extent of accumulation of the intermediate, meizothrombin. Fluorescence stopped-flow and rapid chemical quench measurements were also conducted using prethrombin 2 plus fragment 1.2 or meizothrombin as substrates to assess the influence of PCPS on the individual cleavage reactions. The rate of cleavage at Arg323-Ile324 by prothrombinase was increased approximately 60-fold with increasing PCPS, whereas the cleavage at Arg274-Thr275 was increased by a factor of approximately 5. These differential effects of PCPS on the two cleavage reactions adequately explain changes in the extent of accumulation of meizothrombin during prothrombin activation. Proteolytic removal of the membrane binding fragment 1 domain of the substrates, meizothrombin and prethrombin 2-fragment 1.2, had no effect on the cleavage at Arg274-Thr275 at saturating PCPS but completely eliminated the membrane-dependent rate enhancement for cleavage at Arg323-Ile324. Thus, membrane binding by the substrate is essential for the first cleavage reaction at Arg323-Ile324, which leads to the conversion of prothrombin to meizothrombin. In contrast, the substrate-membrane interaction mediated by the fragment 1 domain has no detectable effect on the second cleavage reaction at Arg274-Thr275 which is required for the conversion of meizothrombin to thrombin.

PH- and ionic strength-dependent fusion of phospholipid vesicles induced by pardaxin analogues or by mixtures of charge-reversed peptides.

The fusogenic properties of the neurotoxin paradaxin and eight of its analogues with small unilamellar vesicles (SUV), composed of egg phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylserine (PC/PS), were investigated. Fusion was demonstrated by a lipid-mixing assay and by an increase in vesicle size as revealed by electron microscopy. The lipid-mixing assay was performed at either neutral (pH 6.8) or acidic (pH 4.5) conditions, in solutions containing either high or low salt concentrations. A low level of fusion could be induced at neutral pH only by pardaxin derivatives with amino groups at both the peptide's backbone and N-terminus. However, a marked enhancement in the fusogenic activity occurred when amino groups were present also in the C-terminus. Pardaxin analogues in which amino groups were substituted by carboxylic groups induced elevated levels of fusion only at high salt concentrations where enhancement of aggregation occurs, and acidic pH, which increased alpha-helicity. The influence of mutual interactions between pardaxin's analogues possessing complementary charges on the lipid-mixing process was also studied. At neutral pH and high salt, an inactive acidic analogue increased the fusogenic activity of a complementary-charged basic peptide. However, such mutual interactions at low salt concentrations reduced the fusogenic activity of the pardaxin analogues. Analogues containing D-amino acids were not fusogenic, thus demonstrating the structural specificity of these observations. The results indicate that the charge, alpha-helical structure, and aggregation of peptide monomers play an important role in the fusogenic ability of polypeptides.

Role of the membrane surface in the activation of human coagulation factor X.

Coagulation factor X is activated by the extrinsic Xase complex composed of factor VIIa associated with the integral membrane protein tissue factor. The kinetics of human factor X activation was studied following reconstitution of this reaction system using purified human proteins and synthetic phospholipid vesicles composed of phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylserine (PCPS) or phosphatidylcholine alone (PC). Factor X activation was evaluated by discontinuous measurements of the amidolytic activity of the product, factor Xa, or continuously monitored using the fluorescent serine protease inhibitor 4-aminobenzamidine. The results of both techniques were verified by direct physical measurements of zymogen activation using SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The rate of factor X activation with PC vesicles was less than 5% of that observed with PCPS vesicles. Since factor X does not bind to vesicles containing only PC, these data suggested an important role for the substrate-membrane interaction in the catalytic cycle. The importance of the substrate-membrane interaction in the activation process was investigated by using membrane-binding proteins to compete with the substrate for combining sites on PCPS vesicles. Prothrombin fragment 1 was an inhibitor of factor X activation. The dependence of inhibition by fragment 1 on PCPS and factor X was consistent with a significant reduction in initial velocity due to the displacement of factor X from the membrane surface. The inhibition data also suggested that the membrane-bound pool of factor X was the preferred substrate for the human extrinsic Xase complex. The influence of PCPS concentrations on the rate of factor X activation was systematically investigated. Increasing concentrations of PCPS resulted in a modest change in the Km,app and a dramatic change in the Vmax,app for the reaction. The initial velocity data could be globally analyzed according to the preferential utilization of membrane-bound factor X with the intrinsic kinetic constants: Km approximately equal to 1 microM and kcat = 37 s-1 at saturating PCPS. In addition, the equilibrium parameters for the factor X-membrane interaction inferred from these studies were in excellent agreement with the directly determined values. Collectively, the data suggest that the substrate-membrane interaction must precede catalysis for the efficient activation of human factor X by the extrinsic Xase complex.

A Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis of the Activation and Inactivation of Protein C In Vivo in a Primate Model

A model of Protein C (PC) activation in vivo was used to investigate the complexing of activated PC (APC) with its plasma inhibitors, PC inhibitor (PCI) and alpha 1-antitrypsin (alpha 1AT). Chimpanzees were infused with a bolus of activated factor X (F.Xa) together with vesicles of phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylserine (PCPS). Pre- and post-infusion plasma samples were analyzed using enzyme linked immunosorbent based assays (ELISA) for PC and APC complexes, and immunoblotting of PC from nondenaturing polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Within 2 minutes of infusion, a 60% decrease in nonactivated PC zymogen (PCz) levels was observed. This coincided with a precipitous drop in plasma activities of cofactors VIIIa and Va. In contrast, total PC antigen (PCt) levels decreased by only 1%, indicating APC generation. Complexes of APC with both PCI and alpha 1AT were observed on immunoblots, and further identified and quantified using a sandwich ELISA employing antibodies to both PC and these inhibitors. The distribution of APC between these two inhibitors varied with the dose of F.Xa/PCPS infused. At a dose of F.Xa/PCPS of 24.05 pmol and 37.70 nmol/kg, respectively, an initial spike of APC generation, associated with decreases in the levels of factors VIIIa and Va, was noted but dissipated over the next 30 minutes. During this period, APC/inhibitor complexes appeared with the levels of APC-PCI and APC-alpha 1AT reaching 8.5 nmol/L and 2.2 nmol/L by 30 minutes, respectively. In contrast, at a higher dose of F.Xa/PCPS of 36.60 pmol and 56.30 nmol/Kg respectively, complexes of APC-alpha 1AT appeared rapidly and reached a level of 6 nmol/L by 30 minutes postinfusion, whereas APC-PCI complexes were only present at a concentration of 3.4 nmol/L by this time. Additional experiments with lower doses of F.Xa/PCPS suggest that PCI is the preferred inhibitor of APC, but as the availability of this inhibitor becomes limiting, alpha 1AT plays an increasingly crucial role as a secondary inhibitor of endogenously generated APC. Moreover, evidence is presented suggesting the existence of additional inhibitor(s) of APC that may have a role similar to alpha 1AT.

A qualitative and quantitative analysis of the activation and inactivation of protein C in vivo in a primate model

A model of Protein C (PC) activation in vivo was used to investigate the complexing of activated PC (APC) with its plasma inhibitors, PC inhibitor (PCI) and alpha 1-antitrypsin (alpha 1AT). Chimpanzees were infused with a bolus of activated factor X (F.Xa) together with vesicles of phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylserine (PCPS). Pre- and post-infusion plasma samples were analyzed using enzyme linked immunosorbent based assays (ELISA) for PC and APC complexes, and immunoblotting of PC from nondenaturing polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Within 2 minutes of infusion, a 60% decrease in nonactivated PC zymogen (PCz) levels was observed. This coincided with a precipitous drop in plasma activities of cofactors VIIIa and Va. In contrast, total PC antigen (PCt) levels decreased by only 1%, indicating APC generation. Complexes of APC with both PCI and alpha 1AT were observed on immunoblots, and further identified and quantified using a sandwich ELISA employing antibodies to both PC and these inhibitors. The distribution of APC between these two inhibitors varied with the dose of F.Xa/PCPS infused. At a dose of F.Xa/PCPS of 24.05 pmol and 37.70 nmol/kg, respectively, an initial spike of APC generation, associated with decreases in the levels of factors VIIIa and Va, was noted but dissipated over the next 30 minutes. During this period, APC/inhibitor complexes appeared with the levels of APC-PCI and APC-alpha 1AT reaching 8.5 nmol/L and 2.2 nmol/L by 30 minutes, respectively. In contrast, at a higher dose of F.Xa/PCPS of 36.60 pmol and 56.30 nmol/Kg respectively, complexes of APC-alpha 1AT appeared rapidly and reached a level of 6 nmol/L by 30 minutes postinfusion, whereas APC-PCI complexes were only present at a concentration of 3.4 nmol/L by this time. Additional experiments with lower doses of F.Xa/PCPS suggest that PCI is the preferred inhibitor of APC, but as the availability of this inhibitor becomes limiting, alpha 1AT plays an increasingly crucial role as a secondary inhibitor of endogenously generated APC. Moreover, evidence is presented suggesting the existence of additional inhibitor(s) of APC that may have a role similar to alpha 1AT.

Prothrombinase complex assembly. Contributions of protein-protein and protein-membrane interactions toward complex formation.

Equilibrium binding studies of prothrombinase complex formation were undertaken using phospholipid vesicles composed of phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylserine (PCPS), factor Va, and factor Xa modified with dansyl glutamylglycinylarginyl chloromethyl ketone (DEGR.Xa). The interaction between the Va.PCPS and DEGR.Xa.PCPS binary complexes was experimentally isolated using saturating concentrations of PCPS. Fluorescence titrations indicated that the membrane-bound proteins interact tightly (Kd approximately 10(-9) M) with a stoichiometry of 1 mol of Va bound/mol of DEGR.Xa at saturation. Complex formation was also investigated by kinetic studies of prothrombin activation using unmodified factor Xa. The kinetic studies yielded a Kd approximately 10(-9) M, which was independent of the concentration of prothrombin in the range of 0.5-5.0 microM. Fluorescence studies of complex assembly at limiting PCPS concentrations provided evidence for an altered DEGR.Xa-PCPS interaction when the enzyme was assembled into the complex. The data suggest that although both proteins are associated with PCPS when complexed with each other, the presence of factor Va on the membrane surface increases the affinity for the Xa-PCPS interaction by an estimated 100-fold. Prothrombinase complex assembly therefore proceeds independently of the availability of substrate and is stabilized by protein-protein and protein-phospholipid interactions. Linkage between the two protein-membrane combination events leads to the further stabilization of the complex on the vesicle surface.

Prothrombinase complex assembly. Kinetic mechanism of enzyme assembly on phospholipid vesicles.

The kinetics of the assembly of the prothrombinase complex was studied using factor Xa modified with the active site-directed fluorophore dansylglutamylglycylarginyl chloromethyl ester (DEGR.Xa) as a reporter for the process. Stopped-flow kinetic studies of prothrombinase assembly were undertaken at saturating concentrations of calcium ion, using vesicles composed of phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylserine (PCPS), factor Va, and DEGR.Xa. The rate of complex formation, studied under pseudo first-order conditions, depended on the premixing protocol used to initiate complex assembly and was most rapid when prothrombinase assembly was initiated by reacting Va with the preformed DEGR.Xa.PCPS complex. Under these conditions, reaction rate was linearly dependent on the concentration of PCPS with no evidence for saturation and was independent of the concentration of VA. Essentially identical reaction rates were observed when the association of Va with PCPS was independently assessed by stopped-flow light scattering. The data indicate that prothrombinase assembly initiated by mixing Va with the DEGR.Xa.PCPS complex is rate limited by the initial reaction between Va and available combining sites on the vesicle surface (k = 5.7 x 10(7) M-1.s-1) followed by extremely rapid reactions (k greater than 1 x 10(9) M-1.s-1) between PCPS-bound DEGR.Xa and PCPS-bound Va. The formation of a separate Va.PCPS complex is therefore required for prothrombinase assembly to proceed. Reaction rates obtained when prothrombinase assembly was initiated by reacting DEGR.Xa with the preformed Va.PCPS complex or by reacting PCPS with a mixture of DEGR.Xa and Va were lower. Under these initiation conditions, reaction rates were inhibited by increasing concentrations of factor Va. These data indicate that the formation of the DEGR.Xa.PCPS binary complex is also a prerequisite for prothrombinase assembly. The second-order rate constant for the reaction between factor Xa and PCPS (k = 2.9 x 10(7) M-1.s-1) and the first-order rates of dissociation of the Va.PCPS complex (koff = 0.17 s-1) and the Xa.PCPS complex (koff = 3.3 s-1) were independently determined by stopped-flow light scattering. Collectively, the data are consistent with the interpretation that prothrombinase assembly proceeds via the initial formation of separate Xa.PCPS and Va. PCPS binary complexes at near diffusion-limited rates on the same vesicle. The lipid-bound constituents then react rapidly via rearrangements on the vesicle surface to form prothrombinase.