Interaction of calcium with native and decarboxylated human factor X. Effect of proteolysis in the autolysis loop on catalytic efficiency and factor Va binding

Conformation of factor Xa in solution revealed by single-molecule spectroscopy

BACKGROUND

All current X-ray structures of factor (F)Xa are devoid of the γ-carboxyglutamate (Gla) domain and fail to reveal the overall conformation of the free protein. The recent cryogenic electron microscopy (cryo-EM) structure of FXa in the prothrombinase complex is the only structure of full-length FXa and shows that the Gla domain is positioned at an angle relative to the epidermal growth factor 1 domain.

OBJECTIVES

Establish if the curved conformation of FXa revealed by cryo-EM is also present in solution.

METHODS

The conformation of FXa in solution was studied by single-molecule Förster resonance energy transfer.

RESULTS

The conformation of full-length FXa in solution is resolved for the first time. The conformation is curved and extremely sensitive to Ca2+. It does not differ significantly from its zymogen form or from that present in the prothrombinase complex free or bound to the physiologic substrates prothrombin and meizothrombin.

CONCLUSION

Measurements by single-molecule Förster resonance energy transfer reveal that FXa has a curved conformation in solution, free or bound to physiologic ligands, and validate the recent cryo-EM structures of prothrombinase. The drastic conformational changes observed in the absence of Ca2+ suggest that the structural architecture of FXa changes upon administration of vitamin K antagonists that perturb the interaction of the Gla domain with divalent cations.

Inactivation of mesotrypsin by chymotrypsin C prevents trypsin inhibitor degradation

Mesotrypsin is an unusual human trypsin isoform with inhibitor resistance and the ability to degrade trypsin inhibitors. Degradation of the protective serine protease inhibitor Kazal type 1 (SPINK1) by mesotrypsin in the pancreas may contribute to the pathogenesis of pancreatitis. Here we tested the hypothesis that the regulatory digestive protease chymotrypsin C (CTRC) mitigates the harmful effects of mesotrypsin by cleaving the autolysis loop. As human trypsins are post-translationally sulfated in the autolysis loop, we also assessed the effect of this modification. We found that mesotrypsin cleaved in the autolysis loop by CTRC exhibited catalytic impairment on short peptides due to a 10-fold increase in K_m , it digested β-casein poorly and bound soybean trypsin inhibitor with 10-fold decreased affinity. Importantly, CTRC-cleaved mesotrypsin degraded SPINK1 with markedly reduced efficiency. Sulfation increased mesotrypsin activity but accelerated CTRC-mediated cleavage of the autolysis loop and did not protect against the detrimental effect of CTRC cleavage. The observations indicate that CTRC-mediated cleavage of the autolysis loop in mesotrypsin decreases protease activity and thereby protects the pancreas against unwanted SPINK1 degradation. The findings expand the role of CTRC as a key defense mechanism against pancreatitis through regulation of intrapancreatic trypsin activity.

Surface loops of trypsin-like serine proteases as determinants of function

Trypsin and chymotrypsin-like serine proteases from family S1 (clan PA) constitute the largest protease group in humans and more generally in vertebrates. The prototypes chymotrypsin, trypsin and elastase represent simple digestive proteases in the gut, where they cleave nearly any protein. Multidomain trypsin-like proteases are key players in the tightly controlled blood coagulation and complement systems, as well as related proteases that are secreted from diverse immune cells. Some serine proteases are expressed in nearly all tissues and fluids of the human body, such as the human kallikreins and kallikrein-related peptidases with specialization for often unique substrates and accurate timing of activity. HtrA and membrane-anchored serine proteases fulfill important physiological tasks with emerging roles in cancer. The high diversity of all family members, which share the tandem β-barrel architecture of the chymotrypsin-fold in the catalytic domain, is conferred by the large differences of eight surface loops, surrounding the active site. The length of these loops alters with insertions and deletions, resulting in remarkably different three-dimensional arrangements. In addition, metal binding sites for Na+, Ca2+ and Zn2+ serve as regulatory elements, as do N-glycosylation sites. Depending on the individual tasks of the protease, the surface loops determine substrate specificity, control the turnover and allow regulation of activation, activity and degradation by other proteins, which are often serine proteases themselves. Most intriguingly, in some serine proteases, the surface loops interact as allosteric network, partially tuned by protein co-factors. Knowledge of these subtle and complicated molecular motions may allow nowadays for new and specific pharmaceutical or medical approaches.

Role of glycine 221 in catalytic activity of hyaluronan-binding protein 2

HABP2 (hyaluronan-binding protein 2) is a Ca²⁺-dependent serine protease with putative roles in blood coagulation and fibrinolysis. A G221E substitution, known as the Marburg I polymorphism, reportedly affects HABP2 function and has been associated with increased risk for cardiovascular disease. However, the importance of Gly-221 for HABP2 activity is unclear. Here, we used G221E, G221A, and G221S mutants to assess the role of Gly-221 in HABP2 catalysis. The G221E variant failed to activate the single-chain urokinase-type plasminogen activator, and the G221A and G221S variants displayed moderately reduced single-chain urokinase-type plasminogen activator activation. Activity toward the peptide substrate S-2288 was markedly decreased in all HABP2 variants, with G221E being the most defective and G221A being the least defective. In the absence of Ca²⁺, S-2288 cleavage by wild-type HABP2 was Na⁺-dependent, with K_m decreasing from 3.0 to 0.6 mm upon titration from 0 to 0.3 m Na⁺ In the presence of 5 mm Ca²⁺, K_m was further reduced to 0.05 mm, but without an appreciable contribution of Na⁺ At physiological concentrations of Na⁺ and Ca²⁺, the three HABP2 variants, and particularly G221E, displayed a major K_m increase for S-2288. Chemical footprinting revealed that Ile-16 is significantly less protected from chemical modification in G221E than in wild-type HABP2, suggesting impaired insertion of the N terminus into the G221E protease domain, with a concomitant impact on catalytic activity. Homology modeling suggested that the Glu-221 side chain could sterically hinder insertion of the N terminus into the HABP2 protease domain, helping to explain the detrimental effects of Glu-221 substitution on HABP2 activity.

Factor Xa dimerization competes with prothrombinase complex formation on platelet-like membrane surfaces

Exposure of phosphatidylserine (PS) molecules on activated platelet membrane surface is a crucial event in blood coagulation. Binding of PS to specific sites on factor Xa (fXa) and factor Va (fVa) promotes their assembly into a complex that enhances proteolysis of prothrombin by approximately 10⁵. Recent studies demonstrate that both soluble PS and PS-containing model membranes promote formation of inactive fXa dimers at 5 mM Ca²⁺. In the present study, we show how competition between fXa dimerization and prothrombinase formation depends on Ca²⁺ and lipid membrane concentrations. We used homo-FRET measurements between fluorescein-E-G-R-chloromethylketone (CK)-Xa [fXa irreversibly inactivated by alkylation of the active site histidine residue with FEGR (FEGR-fXa)] and prothrombinase activity measurements to reveal the balance between fXa dimer formation and fXa-fVa complex formation. Changes in FEGR-fXa dimer homo-FRET with addition of fVa to model-membrane-bound FEGR-fXa unambiguously demonstrated that formation of the FEGR-fXa-fVa complex dissociated the dimer. Quantitative global analysis according to a model for protein interaction equilibria on a surface provided an estimate of a surface constant for fXa dimer dissociation (K(fXa×fXa)(d, σ)) approximately 10-fold lower than K(fXa×fVa)(d,σ) for fXa-fVa complex. Experiments performed using activated platelet-derived microparticles (MPs) showed that competition between fXa dimerization and fXa-fVa complex formation was even more prominent on MPs. In summary, at Ca²⁺ concentrations found in the maturing platelet plug (2-5 mM), fVa can compete fXa off of inactive fXa dimers to significantly amplify thrombin production, both because it releases dimer inhibition and because of its well-known cofactor activity. This suggests a hitherto unanticipated mechanism by which PS-exposing platelet membranes can regulate amplification and propagation of blood coagulation.

Ca2+ switches the effect of PS-containing membranes on Factor Xa from activating to inhibiting: implications for initiation of blood coagulation

Calcium (Ca2+) plays a pivotal role in cellular and organismal physiology. The Ca2+ ion has an intermediate protein-binding affinity and thus it can serve as an on/off switch in the regulation of different biochemical processes. The serum level of ionized Ca2+ is regulated with normal ionized Ca2+ being in the range 1.10-1.3 mM. Hypocalcaemia (free Ca2+<1.1 mM) in critically ill patients is commonly accompanied by haemostatic abnormalities, ranging from isolated thrombocytopenia to complex defects such as disseminated intravascular coagulation, commonly thought to be due to insufficient functioning of anticoagulation pathways. A small amount of fXa (Factor Xa) produced by Factor VIIa and exposed tissue factor is key to initiating blood coagulation by producing enough thrombin to induce the later stages of coagulation. fXa must bind to PS (phosphatidylserine)-containing membranes to produce thrombin at a physiologically significant rate. In the present study, we show that overall fXa activity on PS-containing membranes is sharply regulated by a 'Ca2+ switch' centred at 1.16 mM, below which fXa is active and above which fXa forms inactive dimers on PS-exposing membranes. Our data lead to a mathematical model that predicts the variation of fXa activity as a function of both Ca2+ and membrane concentrations. Because the critical Ca2+ concentration is at the lower end of the normal plasma ionized Ca2+ concentration range, we propose a new regulatory mechanism by which local Ca2+ concentration switches fXa from an intrinsically active form to a form requiring its cofactor [fVa (Factor Va)] to achieve significant activity.

Factor X M402T: a homozygous missense mutation identified as the cause of cross-reacting material-reduced deficiency

We investigated a mildly hemorrhagic patient with factor X (FX) deficiency to identify the nature of his defect by comprehensive analyses. A 42-year-old Japanese man was admitted to our hospital for uncontrolled gingival hemorrhage. His FX activity based on prothrombin time (PT) and activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) and FX antigen were <1, 6.5 and 11 %, respectively. A homozygous M402T missense mutation (c.1205 t>c; p.Met402Thr) was identified in the FX gene (F10) from both the patient and his brother. The mutation was not detected in the F10 of 82 unrelated normal Japanese individuals. We studied the functional consequences of this mutation by expressing mutant FX-M402T protein in HEK293 cells. This analysis revealed that the antigen of the FX-M402T mutants was approximately 26 % that of the wild-type FX in conditioned media. The FX-specific activity of FX-M402T mutants measured by a one-stage clotting assay based upon PT and aPTT, and a chromogenic assay using Russell's viper venom in the concentrated media was 7.7, 31.7, and 41.2 % of wild type, respectively. The results suggest that the mutation FX-M402T may cause a secretion defect and a molecular abnormality in FX.

Phosphatidylserine-induced factor Xa dimerization and binding to factor Va are competing processes in solution

A soluble, short chain phosphatidylserine, 1,2-dicaproyl-sn-glycero-3-phospho-l-serine (C6PS), binds to discrete sites on FXa, FVa, and prothrombin to alter their conformations, to promote FXa dimerization (K(d) ~ 14 nM), and to enhance both the catalytic activity of FXa and the cofactor activity of FVa. In the presence of calcium, C6PS binds to two sites on FXa, one in the epidermal growth factor-like (EGF) domain and one in the catalytic domain; the latter interaction is sensitive to Na(+) binding and probably represents a protein recognition site. Here we ask whether dimerization of FXa and its binding to FVa in the presence of C6PS are competitive processes. We monitored FXa activity at 5, 20, and 50 nM FXa while titrating with FVa in the presence of 400 μM C6PS and 3 or 5 mM Ca(2+) to show that the apparent K(d) of FVa-FXa interaction increased with an increase in FXa concentration at 5 mM Ca(2+), but the K(d) was only slightly affected at 3 mM Ca(2+). A mixture of 50 nM FXa and 50 nM FVa in the presence of 400 μM C6PS yielded both Xa homodimers and Xa·Va heterodimers, but no FXa dimers bound to FVa. A mutant FXa (R165A) that has reduced prothrombinase activity showed both weakened dimerization (K(d) ~ 147 nM) and weakened FVa binding (apparent K(d) values of 58, 92, and 128 nM for 5, 20, and 50 nM R165A FXa, respectively). Native gel electrophoresis showed that the GLA-EGF(NC) fragment of FXa (lacking the catalytic domain) neither dimerized nor formed a complex with FVa in the presence of 400 μM C6PS and 5 mM Ca(2+). Our results demonstrate that the dimerization site and FVa-binding site are both located in the catalytic domain of FXa and that these sites are linked thermodynamically.

Requirements for receptor engagement during infection by adenovirus complexed with blood coagulation factor X

Human adenoviruses from multiple species bind to coagulation factor X (FX), yet the importance of this interaction in adenovirus dissemination is unknown. Upon contact with blood, vectors based on adenovirus serotype 5 (Ad5) binds to FX via the hexon protein with nanomolar affinity, leading to selective uptake of the complex into the liver and spleen. The Ad5:FX complex putatively targets heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs). The aim of this study was to elucidate the specific requirements for Ad5:FX-mediated cellular uptake in this high-affinity pathway, specifically the HSPG receptor requirements as well as the role of penton base-mediated integrin engagement in subsequent internalisation. Removal of HS sidechains by enzymatic digestion or competition with highly-sulfated heparins/heparan sulfates significantly decreased FX-mediated Ad5 cell binding in vitro and ex vivo. Removal of N-linked and, in particular, O-linked sulfate groups significantly attenuated the inhibitory capabilities of heparin, while the chemical inhibition of endogenous HSPG sulfation dose-dependently reduced FX-mediated Ad5 cellular uptake. Unlike native heparin, modified heparins lacking O- or N-linked sulfate groups were unable to inhibit Ad5 accumulation in the liver 1h after intravascular administration of adenovirus. Similar results were observed in vitro using Ad5 vectors possessing mutations ablating CAR- and/or α(v) integrin binding, demonstrating that attachment of the Ad5:FX complex to the cell surface involves HSPG sulfation. Interestingly, Ad5 vectors ablated for α(v) integrin binding showed markedly delayed cell entry, highlighting the need for an efficient post-attachment internalisation signal for optimal Ad5 uptake and transport following surface binding mediated through FX. This study therefore integrates the established model of α(v) integrin-dependent adenoviral infection with the high-affinity FX-mediated pathway. This has important implications for mechanisms that define organ targeting following contact of human adenoviruses with blood.

Dynamical view of membrane binding and complex formation of human factor VIIa and tissue factor

SUMMARY BACKGROUND

The molecular mechanism of enhancement of the enzymatic activity of factor VIIa by tissue factor (TF) is not fully understood, primarily because of the lack of atomic models for the membrane-bound form of the TF-FVIIa complex.

OBJECTIVES

To construct the first membrane-bound model of the TF-FVIIa complex, and to investigate the dynamics of the complex in solution and on the surface of anionic membranes by using large-scale molecular dynamics (MD) simulations in full atomic detail.

METHODS

Membrane-bound models of the TF-FVIIa complex and the individual factors were constructed and subjected to MD simulations, in order to characterize protein-protein and protein-lipid interactions, and to investigate the dynamics of TF and FVIIa.

RESULTS

The MD trajectories reveal that isolated FVIIa undergoes large structural fluctuation, primarily due to the hinge motions between its domains, whereas soluble TF (sTF) is structurally stable. Upon complex formation, sTF restricts the motion of FVIIa significantly. The results also show that, in the membrane-bound form, sTF directly interacts with the lipid headgroups, even in the absence of FVIIa.

CONCLUSION

The first atomic models of membrane-bound sTF-FVIIa, FVIIa and sTF are presented, revealing that sTF forms direct contacts with the lipids, both in the isolated form and in complex with FVIIa. The main effect of sTF binding to FVIIa is spatial stabilization of the catalytic site of FVIIa, which ensures optimal interaction with the substrate, FX.

Functional and structural characterization of factor Xa dimer in solution

Previous studies showed that binding of water-soluble phosphatidylserine (C6PS) to bovine factor Xa (FXa) leads to Ca2+-dependent dimerization in solution. We report the effects of Ca2+, C6PS, and dimerization on the activity and structure of human and bovine FXa. Both human and bovine dimers are 10(6)- to 10(7)-fold less active toward prothrombin than the monomer, with the decrease being attributed mainly to a substantial decrease in k(cat). Dimerization appears not to block the active site, since amidolytic activity toward a synthetic substrate is largely unaffected. Circular dichroism reveals a substantial change in tertiary or quaternary structure with a concomitant decrease in alpha-helix upon dimerization. Mass spectrometry identifies a lysine (K(270)) in the catalytic domain that appears to be buried at the dimer interface and is part of a synthetic peptide sequence reported to interfere with factor Va (FVa) binding. C6PS binding exposes K(351) (part of a reported FVa binding region), K(242) (adjacent to the catalytic triad), and K(420) (part of a substrate exosite). We interpret our results to mean that C6PS-induced dimerization produces substantial conformational changes or domain rearrangements such that structural data on PS-activated FXa is required to understand the structure of the FXa dimer or the FXa-FVa complex.

Characterization of a human coagulation factor Xa-binding site on Viperidae snake venom phospholipases A2 by affinity binding studies and molecular bioinformatics

Background

The snake venom group IIA secreted phospholipases A₂ (SVPLA₂), present in the Viperidae snake family exhibit a wide range of toxic and pharmacological effects. They exert their different functions by catalyzing the hydrolysis of phospholipids (PL) at the membrane/water interface and by highly specific direct binding to: (i) presynaptic membrane-bound or intracellular receptors; (ii) natural PLA₂-inhibitors from snake serum; and (iii) coagulation factors present in human blood.

Results

Using surface plasmon resonance (SPR) protein-protein interaction measurements and an in vitro biological test of inhibition of prothrombinase activity, we identify a number of Viperidae venom SVPLA₂s that inhibit blood coagulation through direct binding to human blood coagulation factor Xa (FXa) via a non-catalytic, PL-independent mechanism. We classify the SVPLA₂s in four groups, depending on the strength of their binding.

Molecular electrostatic potentials calculated at the surface of 3D homology-modeling models show a correlation with inhibition of prothrombinase activity. In addition, molecular docking simulations between SVPLA₂ and FXa guided by the experimental data identify the potential FXa binding site on the SVPLA₂s. This site is composed of the following regions: helices A and B, the Ca²⁺ loop, the helix C-β-wing loop, and the C-terminal fragment. Some of the SVPLA₂ binding site residues belong also to the interfacial binding site (IBS). The interface in FXa involves both, the light and heavy chains.

Conclusion

We have experimentally identified several strong FXa-binding SVPLA₂s that disrupt the function of the coagulation cascade by interacting with FXa by the non-catalytic PL-independent mechanism. By theoretical methods we mapped the interaction sites on both, the SVPLA₂s and FXa. Our findings may lead to the design of novel, non-competitive FXa inhibitors.

Role of the alpha-helix 163-170 in factor Xa catalytic activity

Factor Xa (FXa) is a key protease of the coagulation pathway whose activity is known to be in part modulated by binding to factor Va (FVa) and sodium ions. Previous investigations have established that solvent-exposed, charged residues of the FXa alpha-helix 163-170 (h163-170), Arg(165) and Lys(169), participate in its binding to FVa. In the present study we aimed to investigate the role of the other residues of h163-170 in the catalytic functions of the enzyme. FX derivatives were constructed in which point mutations were made or parts of h163-170 were substituted with the corresponding region of either FVIIa or FIXa. Purified FXa derivatives were compared with wild-type FXa. Kinetic studies in the absence of FVa revealed that, compared with wild-type FXa, key functional parameters (catalytic activity toward prothrombin and tripeptidyl substrates and non-enzymatic interaction of a probe with the S1 site) were diminished by mutations in the NH(2)-terminal portion of h163-170. The defective amidolytic activity of these FXa derivatives appears to result from their impaired interaction with Na(+) because using a higher Na(+) concentration partially restored normal catalytic parameters. Furthermore, kinetic measurements with tripeptidyl substrates or prothrombin indicated that assembly of these FXa derivatives with an excess of FVa in the prothrombinase complex improves their low catalytic efficiency. These data indicate that residues in the NH(2)-terminal portion of the FVa-binding h163-170 are energetically linked to the S1 site and Na(+)-binding site of the protease and that residues Val(163) and Ser(167) play a key role in this interaction.

Proposed structural models of the prothrombinase (FXa-FVa) complex

Activated coagulation factor V (FVa) functions as a cofactor to factor Xa (FXa) in the conversion of prothrombin (PT) to thrombin. This essential procoagulant reaction, despite being the subject of extensive investigation, is not fully understood structurally and functionally. To elucidate the structure of the FXa-FVa complex, we have performed protein:protein (Pr:Pr) docking simulation with the pseudo-Brownian Pr:Pr docking ICM package and with the shape-complementarity Pr:Pr docking program PPD. The docking runs were carried out using a new model of full-length human FVa and the X-ray structure of human FXa. Five representative models of the FXa-FVa complex were in overall agreement with some of the available experimental data, but only one model was found to be consistent with almost all of the reported experimental results. The use of hybrid docking approach (theoretical plus experimental) is definitively important to study such large macromolecular complexes. The FXa-FVa model we have created will be instrumental for further investigation of this macromolecular system and will guide future site directed mutagenesis experiments.

The intriguing world of prothrombin activators from snake venom

Activation of prothrombin to mature thrombin occurs by the proteolytic action of the prothrombinase complex consisting of a serine proteinase factor Xa, and cofactors factor Va, Ca(2+) ions and phospholipids. Several exogenous prothrombin activators are found in snake venom. They are classified into four groups based on their cofactor requirements. Group A and B prothrombin activators are metalloproteinases whereas group C and D prothrombin activators are serine proteinases. Group C prothrombin activators resemble the mammalian factor Xa-factor Va complex, while Group D activators are structurally and functionally similar to factor Xa. This review provides a detailed description of the current knowledge on all prothrombin activators and highlights several intriguing questions that are yet to be answered.

Incorporation of blood clotting factor X into phospholipid model membranes: fluorescence microscopy imaging and subphase effects surrounding the lipid phase transition region

Factor X is a blood clotting protein that associates at membrane surfaces to become activated during the coagulation cascade. A molecular level understanding of the protein-membrane phospholipid interactions has not been reached, although it is thought that the protein binds to phospholipids in the presence of calcium through a bridge with the Gla (gamma-carboxyglutamic acid) domain on the protein. In this work, phospholipid Langmuir monolayers have been utilized as model membranes to study factor X association with phospholipid membrane components. Surface pressure measurements indicate that subphase addition of sodium, magnesium, and calcium ions enhances protein penetration of the lipid monolayer, with the largest association found with calcium ions in the subphase. Fluorescence microscopy images collected after protein penetration of lipid monolayers indicate monolayer condensation in the presence of sodium and magnesium ions. Aggregation of lipid domains is induced when calcium is in the subphase, indicating binding-induced flocculation of surface lipid aggregates. Calcium binding to factor X likely causes a conformational change which allows protein-membrane interaction via hydrophobic association with lipid molecules.

Zymogenic and enzymatic properties of the 70-80 loop mutants of factor X/Xa

The Ca(2+) binding 70-80 loop of factor X (fX) contains one basic (Arg(71)) and three acidic (Glu(74), Glu(76), and Glu(77)) residues whose contributions to the zymogenic and enzymatic properties of the protein have not been evaluated. We prepared four Ala substitution mutants of fX (R71A, E74A, E76A, and E77A) and characterized their activation kinetics by the factor VIIa and factor IXa in both the absence and presence of cofactors. Factor VIIa exhibited normal activity toward E74A and E76A and less than a twofold impaired activity toward R71A and E77A in both the absence and presence of tissue factor. Similarly, factor IXa in the absence of factor VIIIa exhibited normal activity toward both E74A and E76A; however, its activity toward R71A and E77A was impaired approximately two- to threefold. In the presence of factor VIIIa, factor IX activated all mutants with approximately two- to fivefold impaired catalytic efficiency. In contrast to changes in their zymogenic properties, all mutant enzymes exhibited normal affinities for factor Va, and catalyzed the conversion of prothrombin to thrombin with normal catalytic efficiencies. However, further studies revealed that the affinity of mutant enzymes for interaction with metal ions Na(+) and Ca(2+) was impaired. These results suggest that although charged residues of the 70-80 loop play an insignificant role in fX recognition by the factor VIIa-tissue factor complex, they are critical for the substrate recognition by factor IXa in the intrinsic Xase complex. The results further suggest that mutant residues do not play a specific role in the catalytic function of fXa in the prothrombinase complex.

The Elusive Role of the Potential Factor X Cation-binding Exosite-1 in Substrate and Inhibitor Interactions

A number of studies suggest that blood-clotting factor X (FX) uses secondary site(s) to interact (as a substrate) with its activators. Numerous pieces of evidence also imply that, within prothrombinase (as an enzyme), activated FX (FXa) uses exosite(s) for cofactor Va and/or prothrombin recognition. Similarly, FXa exosite(s) seem to govern interaction with inhibitors. An obvious difference between FXa and thrombin resides within a region called exosite-1: positively charged in thrombin and clearly of opposite polarity in FXa. To investigate the role of this potential cation-binding exosite, we prepared a series of mutants within loops 34-40 and 70-80 of FX. Overall, the mutations induced relatively subtle, non-synergistic modulation. The potential exosite was dispensable for FX activation and is unlikely to constitute a critical region for factor Va binding, albeit it is clearly important for prothrombin activation. Our data also implicate loop 34-40 of FXa in the interaction with the tissue factor pathway inhibitor, in prevention of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 binding, and in tempering inhibition by heparin-activated antithrombin. Compared with FX, mutants with reduced electrostatic potential potentiated thrombin production in FX-depleted plasma, whereas mutants with inverted electrostatic potential impeded clotting. Despite the definite consequences observed, disruption of the potential cation-binding exosite of FX had rather weak effects, far from what would be expected if this region was as crucial as in thrombin.

Exposure of platelet membrane phosphatidylserine regulates blood coagulation

This article addresses the role of platelet membrane phosphatidylserine (PS) in regulating the production of thrombin, the central regulatory molecule of blood coagulation. PS is normally located on the cytoplasmic face of the resting platelet membrane but appears on the plasma-oriented surface of discrete membrane vesicles that derive from activated platelets. Thrombin, the central molecule of coagulation, is produced from prothrombin by a complex ("prothrombinase") between factor Xa and its protein cofactor (factor V(a)) that forms on platelet-derived membranes. This complex enhances the rate of activation of prothrombin to thrombin by roughly 150,000 fold relative to factor X(a) in solution. It is widely accepted that the negatively charged surface of PS-containing platelet-derived membranes is at least partly responsible for this rate enhancement, although there is not universal agreement on mechanism by which this occurs. Our efforts have led to an alternative view, namely that PS molecules bind to discrete regulatory sites on both factors X(a) and V(a) and allosterically alter their proteolytic and cofactor activities. In this view, exposure of PS on the surface of activated platelet vesicles is a key regulatory event in blood coagulation, and PS serves as a second messenger in this regulatory process. This article reviews our knowledge of the prothrombinase reaction and summarizes recent evidence leading to this alternative viewpoint. This viewpoint suggests a key role for PS both in normal hemostasis and in thrombotic disease.

Identification of distinct sequences in human blood coagulation factor Xa and prothrombin essential for substrate and cofactor recognition in the prothrombinase complex

To identify amino acid sequences in factor Xa (fXa) and prothrombin (fII) that may be involved in prothrombinase complex (fXa.factor Va.fII.phospholipids) assembly, synthetic peptides based on fXa and fII sequences were prepared and screened for their ability to inhibit fXa-induced clotting of normal plasma. One fII peptide (PT557-571 homologous to chymotrypsin (CHT) residues 225-239) and two fXa peptides (X404-418, CHT231-244, and X415-429, CHT241-252C) potently inhibited plasma clotting and prothrombinase activity with 50% inhibition between 41 and 115 microM peptide. Inhibition of prothrombinase by PT557-571 and X415-429 was fVa-independent, whereas the inhibition by X404-418 was fVa-dependent. X404-418 inhibited the binding of fVa to fluorescein-labeled, inhibited fXai in the presence of phosphatidylcholine/phosphatidylserine vesicles, whereas X415-429 inhibited binding of fII to phospholipid-bound fluorescein-labeled, inhibited fXai. PT557-571 altered the fluorescence emission of fluorescein-labeled fXai, showing that PT557-571 binds to fXai. These data suggest that residues 404-418 in fXa provide fVa binding sites, whereas residues 557-571 in fII and 415-429 in fXa mediate interactions between fXa and fII in the prothrombinase complex.

Prothrombinase assembly and S1 site occupation restore the catalytic activity of FXa impaired by mutation at the sodium-binding site

Two loop segments (183-189 and 221-225) in the protease domain of factor Xa contribute to the formation of a Na(+)-binding site. Studies with factor Xa indicate that binding of a single Na(+) ion to this site influences its activity by altering the S1 specificity site, and substitution of Tyr(225) with Pro diminishes sensitivity to Na(+). Using full-length factor Xa(Y225P), the allosteric relationship between the Na(+) site and other structural determinants in factor Xa and prothrombinase was investigated. Direct binding and kinetic measurements with probes that target the S1 specificity pocket indicate that assembly of the mutant in prothrombinase corrected the impaired binding of these probes observed with free factor Xa(Y225P). This appears to result from the apparent allosteric linkage between the factor Va, S1, and Na(+)-binding sites, since binding of the cofactor to membrane-bound factor Xa(Y225P) enhances binding at the S1 site and vice versa. Additional studies revealed that the internal salt bridge (Ile(16)-Asp(194)) of factor Xa(Y225P) is partially destabilized, a process that is reversible upon occupation of the S1 site. The data establish that alterations at the factor Xa Na(+)-binding site shift the zymogen-protease equilibrium to a more zymogen-like state, and as a consequence binding of S1-directed probes and factor Va are adversely affected. Therefore, the zymogen-like characteristics of factor Xa(Y225P) have allowed for the apparent allosteric linkage between the S1, factor Va, and Na(+) sites to become evident and has provided insight into the structural transitions which accompany the conversion of factor X to factor Xa.

Thermodynamic linkage between the S1 site, the Na+ site, and the Ca2+ site in the protease domain of human activated protein C (APC). Sodium ion in the APC crystal structure is coordinated to four carbonyl groups from two separate loops

The serine protease domain of activated protein C (APC) contains a Na+ and a Ca2+ site. However, the number and identity of the APC residues that coordinate to Na+ is not precisely known. Further, the functional link between the Na+ and the Ca2+ site is insufficiently defined, and their linkage to the substrate S1 site has not been studied. Here, we systematically investigate the functional significance of these two cation sites and their thermodynamic links to the S1 site. Kinetic data reveal that Na+ binds to the substrate-occupied APC with K(d) values of approximately 24 mm in the absence and approximately 6 mm in the presence of Ca2+. Sodium-occupied APC has approximately 100-fold increased catalytic efficiency ( approximately 4-fold decrease in K(m) and approximately 25-fold increase in k(cat)) in hydrolyzing S-2288 (H-d-Ile-Pro-Arg-p-nitroanilide) and Ca2+ further increases this k(cat) slightly ( approximately 1.2-fold). Ca2+ binds to the protease domain of APC with K(d) values of approximately 438 microm in the absence and approximately 105 microm in the presence of Na+. Ca2+ binding to the protease domain of APC does not affect K(m) but increases the k(cat) approximately 10-fold, and Na+ further increases this k(cat) approximately 3-fold and decreases the K(m) value approximately 3.7-fold. In agreement with the K(m) data, sodium-occupied APC has approximately 4-fold increased affinity in binding to p-aminobenzamidine (S1 probe). Crystallographically, the Ca2+ site in APC is similar to that in trypsin, and the Na+ site is similar to that in factor Xa but not thrombin. Collectively, the Na+ site is thermodynamically linked to the S1 site as well as to the protease domain Ca2+ site, whereas the Ca2+ site is only linked to the Na+ site. The significance of these findings is that under physiologic conditions, most of the APC will exist in Na2+-APC-Ca2+ form, which has 110-fold increased proteolytic activity.

The contribution of factor Xa to exosite-dependent substrate recognition by prothrombinase

Kinetic studies support the concept that protein substrate recognition by the prothrombinase complex of coagulation is achieved by interactions at extended macromolecular recognition sites (exosites), distinct from the active site of factor Xa within the complex. We have used this formal kinetic model and a monoclonal antibody directed against Xa (alphaBFX-2b) to investigate the contributions of surfaces on the proteinase to exosite-mediated protein substrate recognition by prothrombinase. alphaBFX-2b bound reversibly to a fluorescent derivative of factor Xa (K(d) = 17.1 +/- 5.6 nm) but had no effect on active site function of factor Xa or factor Xa saturably assembled into prothrombinase. In contrast, alphaBFX-2b was a slow, tight binding inhibitor of the cleavage of either prethrombin 2 or meizothrombin des-fragment 1 by prothrombinase (K(i)(*) = 0.55 +/- 0.05 nm). Thus, alphaBFX-2b binding to factor Xa within prothrombinase selectively leads to the inhibition of protein substrate cleavage without interfering with active site function. Inhibition kinetics could adequately be accounted for by a kinetic model in which prethrombin 2 and alphaBFX-2b bind in a mutually exclusive way to prothrombinase. These are properties expected of an exosite-directed inhibitor. The site(s) on factor Xa responsible for antibody binding were evaluated by identification of immunoreactive fragments following chemical digestion of human and bovine Xa and were further confirmed with a series of recombinantly expressed fragments. These approaches suggest that residues 82-91 and 102-116 in the proteinase domain contribute to alphaBFX-2b binding. The data establish this antibody as a prototypic exosite-directed inhibitor of prothrombinase and suggest that the occlusion of a surface on factor Xa, spatially removed from the active site, is sufficient to block exosite-dependent recognition of the protein substrate by prothrombinase.

Structure and dynamics of zymogen human blood coagulation factor X

The solution structure and dynamics of the human coagulation factor X (FX) have been investigated to understand the key structural elements in the zymogenic form that participates in the activation process. The model was constructed based on the 2.3-A-resolution x-ray crystallographic structure of active-site inhibited human FXa (PDB:1XKA). The missing gamma-carboxyglutamic acid (GLA) and part of epidermal growth factor 1 (EGF1) domains of the light chain were modeled based on the template of GLA-EGF1 domains of the tissue factor (TF)-bound FVIIa structure (PDB:1DAN). The activation peptide and other missing segments of FX were introduced using homology modeling. The full calcium-bound model of FX was subjected to 6.2 ns of molecular dynamics simulation in aqueous medium using the AMBER6.0 package. We observed significant reorientation of the serine-protease (SP) domain upon activation leading to a compact multi-domain structure. The solution structure of zymogen appears to be in a well-extended conformation with the distance between the calcium ions in the GLA domain and the catalytic residues estimated to be approximately 95 A in contrast to approximately 83 A in the activated form. The latter is in close agreement with fluorescence studies on FXa. The S1-specificity residues near the catalytic triad show significant differences between the zymogen and activated structures.

Localization of phosphatidylserine binding sites to structural domains of factor Xa

Binding of short chain phosphatidylserine (C6PS) enhances the proteolytic activity of factor X(a) by 60-fold (Koppaka, V., Wang, J., Banerjee, M., and Lentz, B. R. (1996) Biochemistry 35, 7482-7491). In the present study, we locate three C6PS binding sites to different domains of factor X(a) using a combination of activity, circular dichroism, fluorescence, and equilibrium dialysis measurements on proteolytic and biosynthetic fragments of factor X(a). Our results demonstrate that the structural responses of human and bovine factor X(a) to C6PS binding are somewhat different. Despite this difference, data obtained with fragments from both human and bovine factor X(a) are consistent with a common hypothesis for the location of C6PS binding sites to different structural domains. First, the gamma-carboxyglutamic acid (Gla) domain binds C6PS only in the absence of Ca(2+) (k(d) approximately 1 mm), although this PS site does not influence the functional response of factor X(a). Second, a Ca(2+)-dependent binding site is in the epidermal growth factor domains (EGF(NC)) that are linked by Ca(2+) and C6PS binding to the Gla domain. This site appears to be the lipid regulatory site of factor X(a). Third, a Ca(2+)-requiring site seems to be in the EGF(C)-catalytic domain. This site appears not to be a lipid regulatory site but rather to share residues with the substrate recognition site. Finally, the full functional response to C6PS requires linkage of the Gla, EGF(NC), and catalytic domains in the presence of Ca(2+), meaning that PS regulation of factor X(a) involves linkage between widely separated parts of the protein.

Incorporation of Blood-Clotting Proteins into Phospholipid Langmuir Monolayers: A Fluorescence Microscopy Study

Phospholipid monolayers adsorbed at an air-water interface are model cell membranes and have been used in this work to study interactions with blood-clotting proteins. Factor I (non-membrane binding) was used as a control protein, and its association with L-alpha-dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine Langmuir monolayers was compared to factor VII, a membrane-binding protein. Fluorescence micrographs indicated that factor I penetration of the lipid monolayers in the phase transition region occurred extensively, causing condensation of the lipid film. The association of factor I with phospholipid monolayers was deemed nonspecific. Factor VII was shown to associate with the periphery of lipid domains in the absence of calcium ions, causing flattening of domain edges. In the presence of calcium, factor VII induced expansion of the lipid monolayer. This effect is a specific interaction attributed to exposure of hydrophobic residues upon calcium binding, followed by protein association with lipid hydrocarbon chains. Copyright 2001 Academic Press.

Binding of Plasminogen and Tissue Plasminogen Activator to Plasmin-Modulated Factor X and Factor Xa

Previous work in our laboratory has suggested that the fibrinolytic enzyme plasmin (Pn) inactivates coagulation factors X (FX) and Xa (FXa) in the presence of Ca(2+) and anionic phospholipid (aPL), producing fragments which bind plasminogen (Pg) and accelerate tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA). Our goals here were to determine if the Pn-mediated fragments of FX or FXa remain associated, whether they directly bind t-PA, and to quantify their interaction with Pg. Binding to aPL, benzamidine-Sepharose, or the active-site inhibitor dansyl-Glu-Gly-Arg-chloromethyl ketone demonstrated that Pn cleavage yielded noncovalent heterodimers of a fragment containing the aPL-binding domain (FXgamma(47) or FXagamma(33)) and a 13-kDa fragment (FXgamma(13) or FXagamma(13)). Both ligand blotting and surface plasmon resonance (SPR) showed that Pn-cleaved FX and FXa bound t-PA directly when Pn-treatment was effected in the presence of aPL and Ca(2+). Using SPR, apparent K(d) values of 1-3 microM and 0.3-0.4 microM were measured directly and by competition for the FXgamma(47/13)-Pg and FXagamma(33/13)-Pg interactions, respectively. For the first time, Pg-binding to a receptor was shown to be Ca(2+) enhanced, although primarily mediated by C-terminal lysine residues. Mathematical modeling of kinetic data suggesting two Pg per FXgamma(47/13) or FXagamma(33/13) was consistent with our conclusion that each subunit of FXgamma(47/13) or FXagamma(33/13) contains a C-terminal lysine. Earlier X-ray structures show that these Lys residues are distal from each other and the membrane, supporting the model where each interacts with a separate Pg. t-PA acceleration by FXgamma(47/13) or FXagamma(33/13) may therefore involve simultaneous presentation of two substrate molecules.

Directed glycosylation of human coagulation factor X at residue 333. Insight into factor Va-dependent prothrombin catalysis

Based on homology, amino acids 326-336 (143-154 in chymotrypsin numbering) of factor X (fX) comprise a flexible surface loop, which is susceptible to self-proteolysis and influences substrate catalysis. To investigate the role of this autolysis loop in fX function, a recombinant variant with a new site for asparagine-linked glycosylation has been produced by changing glutamine 333 to asparagine. Q333N fX is activated normally by factor VIIa and tissue factor, factors IXa and VIIIa, and Russell's viper venom. Proteolysis of the loop is prevented by the mutation. Reactivity of the free enzyme toward substrates and inhibitors is attenuated 4-20-fold; relative to wild type fXa, Spectrozyme Xa(TM) hydrolysis is 25%, inhibition by antithrombin III and the tissue factor pathway inhibitor is approximately 20%, and prothrombin activation in the absence of the cofactor Va is only 5%. Surprisingly, activities of the variant and wild type enzymes are equivalent when part of the prothrombinase complex. N-Glycanase cleaves the new oligosaccharide from Q333N fXa leaving aspartic acid. Q333D fXa is approximately 1.6-fold more reactive with Spectrozyme Xa(TM), antithrombin III and tissue factor pathway inhibitor, and prothrombin than its glycosylated counterpart, Q333N fXa, but still quite abnormal relative to wild type fXa. Like Q333N fXa, Q333D fXa is fully functional as part of the prothrombinase complex. We conclude that Gln-333 is geographically close to a site of proteolytic degradation but not to activator, cofactor, or membrane binding sites. Mutation of Gln-333 impairs catalytic function, but given normal prothrombin activation by the complexed enzyme, the importance of Gln-333 for catalysis is not manifest in the prothrombinase assembly, suggesting a conformational change in complexed fXa.

Thermodynamic linkage between the S1 site, the Na+ site, and the Ca2+ site in the protease domain of human coagulation factor xa. Studies on catalytic efficiency and inhibitor binding

The serine protease domain of factor Xa (FXa) contains a sodium as well as a calcium-binding site. Here, we investigated the functional significance of these two cation-binding sites and their thermodynamic links to the S1 site. Kinetic data reveal that Na(+) binds to the substrate bound FXa with K(d) approximately 39 mm in the absence and approximately 9.5 mm in the presence of Ca(2+). Sodium-bound FXa (sodium-Xa) has approximately 18-fold increased catalytic efficiency ( approximately 4.5-fold decrease in K(m) and approximately 4-fold increase in k(cat)) in hydrolyzing S-2222 (benzoyl-Ile-Glu-Gly-Arg-p-nitroanilide), and Ca(2+) further increases this k(cat) approximately 1.4-fold. Ca(2+) binds to the protease domain of substrate bound FXa with K(d) approximately 705 microm in the absence and approximately 175 microm in the presence of Na(+). Ca(2+) binding to the protease domain of FXa (Xa-calcium) has no effect on the K(m) but increases the k(cat) approximately 4-fold in hydrolyzing S-2222, and Na(+) further increases this k(cat) approximately 1.4-fold. In agreement with the K(m) data, sodium-Xa has approximately 5-fold increased affinity in its interaction with p-aminobenzamidine (S1 site probe) and approximately 4-fold increased rate in binding to the two-domain tissue factor pathway inhibitor; Ca(2+) (+/-Na(+)) has no effect on these interactions. Antithrombin binds to Xa-calcium with a approximately 4-fold faster rate, to sodium-Xa with a approximately 24-fold faster rate and to sodium-Xa-calcium with a approximately 28-fold faster rate. Thus, Ca(2+) and Na(+) together increase the catalytic efficiency of FXa approximately 28-fold. Na(+) enhances Ca(2+) binding, and Ca(2+) enhances Na(+) binding. Further, Na(+) enhances S1 site occupancy, and S1 site occupancy enhances Na(+) binding. Therefore, Na(+) site is thermodynamically linked to the S1 site as well as to the protease domain Ca(2+) site, whereas Ca(2+) site is only linked to the Na(+) site. The significance of these findings is that during physiologic coagulation, most of the FXa formed will exist as sodium-Xa-calcium, which has maximum biologic activity.

Calcium enhances heparin catalysis of the antithrombin-factor Xa reaction by promoting the assembly of an intermediate heparin-antithrombin-factor Xa bridging complex. Demonstration by rapid kinetics studies

Heparin catalyzes the inhibition of factor Xa by antithrombin mainly through an allosteric activation of the serpin inhibitor, but an alternative heparin bridging mechanism has been suggested to enhance the catalysis in the presence of physiologic calcium levels due to calcium interactions with the Gla domain exposing a heparin binding exosite in factor Xa. To provide direct evidence for this bridging mechanism, we studied the heparin-catalyzed reaction of antithrombin with factor Xa, Gla-domainless factor Xa (GDFXa), and a heparin binding exosite mutant of GDFXa in the absence and presence of calcium using rapid kinetic methods. The pseudo-first-order rate constant for factor Xa inhibition by antithrombin complexed with a long-chain approximately 70-saccharide heparin showed a saturable dependence on inhibitor concentration in the presence but not in the absence of 2.5 mM Ca(2+), indicating the formation of an intermediate heparin-serpin-proteinase encounter complex with a dissociation constant of approximately 90 nM prior to formation of the stable serpin-proteinase complex with a rate constant of approximately 20 s(-1). Similar saturation kinetics were observed for the inhibition of GDFXa by the antithrombin-heparin complex, except that Ca(2+) was not required for the effect. By contrast, no Ca(2+)-dependent saturation of the inhibition rate constant was detectable over the same range of inhibitor concentrations for reactions of either a short-chain approximately 26-saccharide high-affinity heparin-antithrombin complex with factor Xa or the long-chain heparin-antithrombin complex with the heparin binding exosite mutant, GDFXa R240A. These findings suggest that binding of full-length heparin chains to an exosite of factor Xa in the presence of Ca(2+) produces a chain-length-dependent lowering of the dissociation constant for assembly of the intermediate heparin-antithrombin-factor Xa encounter complex, resulting in a several 100-fold rate enhancement by a heparin bridging mechanism.

Sodium binding site of factor Xa: role of sodium in the prothrombinase complex

The nature of residue 225 on a consensus loop in serine proteases determines whether a protease can bind Na(+). Serine proteases with a Pro at this position are unable to bind Na(+), but those with a Tyr or Phe can bind Na(+). Factor Xa (FXa), the serine protease of the prothrombinase complex, contains a Tyr at this position. Na(+) is also known to stimulate the amidolytic activity of FXa toward cleavage of small synthetic substrates, but the role of Na(+) in the prothrombinase complex has not been investigated. In this study, we engineered a Gla-domainless form of FX (GDFX) in which residue Tyr(225) was replaced with a Pro. We found that Na(+) stimulated the cleavage rate of chromogenic substrates by FXa or GDFXa approximately 8-24-fold with apparent dissociation constants [K(d(app))] of 37 and 182 mM in the presence and absence of Ca(2+), respectively. In contrast, Na(+) minimally affected the cleavage rate of these substrates by the mutant, and no K(d(app)) for Na(+) binding to the mutant could be estimated. Unlike the wild-type enzyme, the reactivity of the mutant with antithrombin was independent of Na(+) and impaired approximately 32-fold. Ca(2+) improved the reactivity of the mutant with antithrombin approximately 5-fold. Affinity of the mutant for binding to factor Va was weakened and its ability to activate prothrombin was severely impaired. Further studies with the wild-type prothrombinase complex revealed that FXa binds to factor Va with a similar K(d(app)) of 1. 1-1.8 nM in the presence of Na(+), K(+), Li(+), Ch(+), and Tris(+) and that the catalytic efficiency of prothrombinase is enhanced less than 1.5-fold by the specific effect of Na(+) in the reaction buffer. These results suggest that (1) the loop including residue 225 (225-loop) is a Na(+) binding site in FXa, (2) the Na(+)- and Ca(2+)-binding loops of FXa are allosterically linked, and (3) the Tyr conformer of the 225-loop is critical for factor Xa function; however, both Na(+)-bound and Na(+)-free forms of factor Xa in the prothrombinase complex can efficiently activate prothrombin.

C-terminal residues 621-635 of protein S are essential for binding to factor Va

Protein S is anticoagulant in the absence of activated protein C because of direct interactions with coagulation Factors Xa and Va. Synthetic peptides corresponding to amino acid sequences of protein S were tested for their ability to inhibit prothrombinase activity. The peptide containing the C-terminal sequence of protein S, residues 621-635 (PSP14), reversibly inhibited prothrombinase activity in the presence but not in the absence of Factor Va (K(i) approximately 2 microM). PSP14 inhibition of prothrombinase was independent of phospholipids but could be competitively overcome by increasing Factor Xa concentrations, suggesting that the C-terminal region of protein S may compete for a Factor Xa binding site on Factor Va. Studies using peptides with amino acid substitutions suggested that lysines 630, 631, and 633 were critical residues. PSP14 inhibited Factor Va activity in Factor Xa-one-stage clotting assays. PSP14 inhibited protein S binding to immobilized Factor Va. When preincubated with protein S, antibodies raised against PSP14 inhibited binding of protein S to Factor Va and blocked inhibition of prothrombinase activity by protein S. These results show that the C-terminal region of protein S containing residues 621-635 is essential for binding of protein S to Factor Va and that this interaction contributes to anticoagulant action.

Protease and EGF1 domains of factor IXa play distinct roles in binding to factor VIIIa. Importance of helix 330 (helix 162 in chymotrypsin) of protease domain of factor IXa in its interaction with factor VIIIa

Previous studies revealed that cleavage at Arg-318-Ser-319 in the protease domain autolysis loop of factor IXa results in its diminished binding to factor VIIIa. Now, we have investigated the importance of adjacent surface-exposed helix 330-338 (162-170 in chymotrypsin numbering) of IXa in its interaction with VIIIa. IXWT, eight point mutants mostly based on hemophilia B patients, and a replacement mutant (IXhelixVII in which helix 330-338 is replaced by that of factor VII) were expressed, purified, and characterized. Each mutant was activated normally by VIIa-tissue factor-Ca2+ or XIa-Ca2+. However, in both the presence and absence of phospholipid, interaction of each activated mutant with VIIIa was impaired. The role of IXa EGF1 domain in binding to VIIIa was also examined. Two mutants (IXQ50P and IXPCEGF1, in which EGF1 domain is replaced by that of protein C) were used. Strikingly, interactions of the activated EGF1 mutants with VIIIa were impaired only in the presence of phospholipid. We conclude that helix 330 in IXa provides a critical binding site for VIIIa and that the EGF1 domain in this context primarily serves to correctly position the protease domain above the phospholipid surface for optimal interaction with VIIIa.

Plasmin converts factor X from coagulation zymogen to fibrinolysis cofactor

Known anticoagulant pathways have been shown to exclusively inhibit blood coagulation cofactors and enzymes. In the current work, we first investigated the possibility of a novel anticoagulant mechanism that functions at the level of zymogen inactivation. Utilizing both clotting and chromogenic assays, the fibrinolysis protease plasmin was found to irreversibly inhibit the pivotal function of factor X (FX) in coagulation. This was due to cleavage at several sites, the location of which were altered by association of FX with procoagulant phospholipid (proPL). The final products were approximately 28 and approximately 47 kDa for proPL-bound and unbound FX, respectively, which did not have analogues when activated FX (FXa) was cleaved instead. We next investigated whether the FX derivatives could interact with the plasmin precursor plasminogen, and we found that plasmin exposed a binding site only on proPL-bound FX. The highest apparent affinity was for the 28-kDa fragment, which was identified as the light subunit disulfide linked to a small fragment of the heavy subunit (Met-296 to approximately Lys-330). After cleavage by plasmin, proPL-bound FX furthermore was observed to accelerate plasmin generation by tissue plasminogen activator. Thus, a feedback mechanism localized by proPL is suggested in which plasmin simultaneously inhibits FX clotting function and converts proPL-bound FX into a fibrinolysis cofactor. These data also provide the first evidence for an anticoagulant mechanism aimed directly at the zymogen FX.

Structural investigation of the A domains of human blood coagulation factor V by molecular modeling

Factor V (FV) is a large (2,196 amino acids) nonenzymatic cofactor in the coagulation cascade with a domain organization (A1-A2-B-A3-C1-C2) similar to the one of factor VIII (FVIII). FV is activated to factor Va (FVa) by thrombin, which cleaves away the B domain leaving a heterodimeric structure composed of a heavy chain (A1-A2) and a light chain (A3-C1-C2). Activated protein C (APC), together with its cofactor protein S (PS), inhibits the coagulation cascade via limited proteolysis of FVa and FVIIIa (APC cleaves FVa at residues R306, R506, and R679). The A domains of FV and FVIII share important sequence identity with the plasma copper-binding protein ceruloplasmin (CP). The X-ray structure of CP and theoretical models for FVIII have been recently reported. This information allowed us to build a theoretical model (994 residues) for the A domains of human FV/FVa (residues 1-656 and 1546-1883). Structural analysis of the FV model indicates that: (a) the three A domains are arranged in a triangular fashion as in the case of CP and the organization of these domains should remain essentially the same before and after activation; (b) a Type II copper ion is located at the A1-A3 interface; (c) residues R306 and R506 (cleavage sites for APC) are both solvent exposed; (d) residues 1667-1765 within the A3 domain, expected to interact with the membrane, are essentially buried; (e) APC does not bind to FVa residues 1865-1874. Several other features of factor V/Va, like the R506Q and A221V mutations; factor Xa (FXa) and human neutrophil elastase (HNE) cleavages; protein S, prothrombin and FXa binding, are also investigated.