Zymogens and cofactors of blood coagulation

The effect of calcium on the thermotropic properties of bovine blood coagulation factors IX and X and their activation intermediates and products

The thermotropic properties of bovine blood coagulation Factors IX and X, as well as the activation intermediates and products of these proteins, have been investigated by differential scanning microcalorimetry in the presence and absence of Ca2+. Bovine Factor IX displays a single thermal-denaturation transition characterized by a temperature midpoint (TM) of 54.5 +/- 0.5 degrees C and a calorimetric enthalpy (delta Hc) of 105 +/- 15 kcal/mol, in the absence of Ca2+. In the presence of Ca2+ concentrations sufficient to saturate its sites on Factor IX, the Tm value is increased to 57.0 +/- 0.5 degrees C and the delta Hc is virtually unchanged. When the activation intermediate, Factor IX alpha, is similarly analyzed in the absence of Ca2+, a broad, diffuse thermogram was obtained which did not lend itself to calculation of thermodynamic parameters. In the presence of Ca2+, Factor IX alpha displayed thermograms characterized by a TM of 51.0 +/- 0.5 degrees C and a delta Hc of 109 +/- 10 kcal/mol. The activated product, Factor IXa alpha, in the absence of Ca2+ (the values in the presence of saturating Ca2+ are given in parentheses), undergoes thermal denaturation with a TM of 54.5 +/- 0.5 degrees C (57.0 +/- 0.5 degrees C) and a delta Hc of 158 +/- 10 kcal/mol (156 +/- 10 kcal/mol). Similarly, the terminal-activation product, Factor IXa beta, displays a TM of 51.5 +/- 0.5 degrees C (54.0 +/- 0.5 degrees C) and a delta Hc of 85 +/- 5 kcal/mol (126 +/- 10 kcal/mol). Bovine blood coagulation Factor X has been analyzed in this same fashion, and shows very similar thermal properties to Factor IX. The thermal denaturation of Factor X is represented by a TM of 54.0 +/- 0.5 degrees C (55.0 +/- 0.5 degrees C) and a delta Hc of 102 +/- 10 kcal/mol (118 +/- 10 kcal/mol), whereas its activated form, Factor Xa beta, possesses a TM of 55.0 +/- 0.5 degrees C (55.0 +/- 0.5 degrees C) and a delta Hc of 92.0 +/- 5 kcal/mol (136 +/- 10 kcal/mol). These studies indicate that, for many of these proteins, Ca2+ induces a conformational alteration to a more thermally stable form, which also requires the absorption of greater amounts of heat for thermal denaturation.

Radiation-induced changes in purified prothrombin and thrombin

The effect of gamma-irradiation on purified prothrombin and thrombin in aqueous solution has been assessed with reference to bifunctional activities, e.g., clotting and esterase functions, physico-chemical changes in structure, and kinetics. The inactivation curves indicated that the clotting activity was more susceptible to gamma-radiation than the esterolytic function in both the proteins. Prothrombin was comparatively more sensitive to radiation than thrombin. The irradiation of prothrombin (100 kR) caused modifications in the protein resulting in reduced formation of thrombin after activation by Factor Xa. The modifications caused by irradiation were assessed in these proteins by changes in spectral characteristics, levels of tryptophan and disulphides, electrophoretic mobility and amino acid composition. Radiation-induced changes in thrombin were reflected in its kinetic behaviour. The clotting activity of thrombin was almost completely lost at 100 kR, while esterolysis was relatively less affected. The modification of tyrosine and tryptophan residues in thrombin influenced the clotting activity, while these were not involved for esterolysis. Histidine had involvement in both these activities.

Gamma-carboxyglutamic acid

Gamma-carboxyglutamic acid is an amino acid with a dicarboxylic acid side chain. This amino acid, with unique metal binding properties, confers metal binding character to the proteins into which it is incorporated. This amino acid has been discovered in blood coagulation proteins (prothrombin, Factor X, Factor IX, and Factor VII), plasma proteins of unknown function (Protein C, Protein S, and Protein Z), and proteins from calcified tissue (osteocalcin and bone-Gla protein). It has also been observed in renal calculi, atherosclerotic plaque, and the egg chorioallantoic membrane, among other tissues. Gamma-carboxyglutamic acid is synthesized by the post-translational modification of glutamic acid residues. This reaction, catalyzed by a hepatic carboxylase, requires reduced vitamin K, oxygen, and carbon dioxide. The function of gamma-carboxyglutamic acid is uncertain. In prothrombin gamma-carboxyglutamic acid residues bound to metal ions participate as an intramolecular non-covalent bridge to maintain protein conformation. Additionally, these amino acids participate in the calcium-dependent molecular assembly of proteins on membrane surfaces through intermolecular bridges involving gamma-carboxyglutamic acid and metal ions.