Gla-domain mutated human protein C exhibiting enhanced anticoagulant activity and increased phospholipid binding.

• Protein C is a member of the vitamin K-dependent protein family. Proteins in this family have similar gamma-carboxyglutamic acid (Gla)-rich domains, but their affinities for negatively charged phospholipid membranes vary more. than 1000-fold.. We have shown that it is possible to enhance anticoagulant activity and membrane affinity of protein C by selective mutagenesis of the Gla domain. In this study, 3,new mutants, Q10G11N12 (OGN), S23E32D33Y44 (SEDY), and Q10G11N12S23E32D33Y44 (QGNSEDY), were created. In plasma-based coagulation assays, the activated form of QGNSEDY (QGNSEDY-APC) demonstrated approximately 20-fold higher anticoagulant activity than wild-type activated protein C (WTAPC), while QGN-APC and SEDY-APC did not. Both normal activated factor V (FVa) and FVa Leiden (Arg506Gln) were degraded much more efficiently by QGNSEDY-APC than by WT APC. in the, presence as well as. in the absence of protein S. Binding of protein C variants. to negatively charged phospholipid membranes was investigated using light scattering and the BIAcore technique. QGNSEDY demonstrated 3- to 7-fold enhanced binding as, compared with WT protein C, suggesting, the membrane affinity to be influenced by several residues located at different parts of, the Gla domain. The anticoagulant activity as well as phospholipid binding ability was only enhanced when multiple regions of the Gla domain were modified. The results provide insights into the molecular mechanisms that are involved in determining the binding affinity of the interaction between Gla domains and phospolipid membranes. The unique properties of QGNSEDY-APC suggest this APC variant possibly to have greater therapeutic potential than WT APC.

Subject headings

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Hematologi (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Hematology (hsv//eng)

Publication and Content Type

art (subject category)

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