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Vitamin K-dependent blood coagulation proteins form hetero-dimers

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Abstract

The later stages of the blood coagulation cascade are characterized by the presence of vitamin K-dependent proteins and their involvement in membrane-bound, multi-protein converting complexes with an essential requirement for calcium ions. Specific interactions between zymogens and activating enzymes have not yet been identified. Here we describe a crystallographic study of prothrombin fragment 1 (residues 1–156 of prothrombin) which indicates that vitamin K-dependent coagulation proteins have specific association sites that allow them to form hetero-dimers. The calcium-induced formation of a hetero-dimer between fragment 1 and factor X is demonstrated by cross-linking. Such hetero-dimers of vitamin K-dependent proteins could be significant in the coagulation system.

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  1. A. I. Burgess and M. P. Esnouf: Nuffield Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Radcliffe Infirmary, Oxford OX2 6HE, UK

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics, University of Oxford, Rex Richards Building, South Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3QU, UK

    K. Harlos, S. K. Holland, C. W. G. Boys, A. I. Burgess, M. P. Esnouf & C. C. F. Blake

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  1. K. Harlos
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  2. S. K. Holland
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  3. C. W. G. Boys
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  4. A. I. Burgess
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  5. M. P. Esnouf
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  6. C. C. F. Blake
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Harlos, K., Holland, S., Boys, C. et al. Vitamin K-dependent blood coagulation proteins form hetero-dimers. Nature 330, 82–84 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1038/330082a0

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