Mårten Steen

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. Proteins 2006.

Factor V I359T: a novel mutation associated with thrombosis and resistance to activated protein C

Summary. We report a kindred in which two siblings suffered spontaneous venous thromboses in the second decade of life. Further investigation showed reduced coagulation factor V (FV) activity and activated protein C resistance (APCR) ratio but no other thrombophilic abnormalities. The reduction in APCR ratio persisted in a modified APCR assay in which FV activity was normalized between test and control plasmas. Analysis of the FV gene showed that the thrombotic individuals had a complex genotype that included two novel point mutations c.529G>T and c.1250T>C resulting in FV E119X and FV I359T substitutions inherited on different alleles. Individuals in the kindred with FV E119X or FV I359T substitutions alone were asymptomatic. We suggest that the FV I359T substitution confers pro‐thrombotic risk and APCR, but that this is only clinically manifest when co‐inherited with the FV E119X allele. The FV I359T substitution creates a new consensus sequence for N‐linked glycosylation within the FV heavy chain and we speculate that this abnormal glycosylation may disrupt activated protein C‐mediated proteolysis of the variant FV and FVa.

Structural stability and heat-induced conformational change of two complement inhibitors: C4b-binding protein and factor H

The complement inhibitors C4b‐binding protein (C4BP) and factor H (FH) both consist of complement control protein (CCP) domains. Here we examined the secondary structure of both proteins by circular dichroism and Fourier‐transform infrared technique at temperatures ranging from 30°C–90°C. We found that predominantly β‐sheet structure of both proteins was stable up to 70°C, and that a reversible conformational change toward α‐helix was apparent at temperatures ranging from 70°C to 90°C. The ability of both proteins to inhibit complement was not impaired after incubation at 95°C, exposure to extreme pH conditions, and storage at room temperature for several months. Similar remarkable stability was previously observed for vaccinia virus control protein (VCP), which is also composed of CCP domains; it therefore seems to be a general property of CCP‐containing proteins. A typical CCP domain has a hydrophobic core, which is wrapped in β‐sheets and stabilized by two disulphide bridges. How the CCP domains tolerate harsh conditions is unclear, but it could be due to a combination of high content of prolines, hydrophobic residues, and the presence of two disulphide bridges within each domain. These findings are of interest because CCP‐containing complement inhibitors have been proposed as clinical agents to be used to control unwanted complement activation that contributes to many diseases.

Effects of factor Xa and protein S on the individual activated protein C-mediated cleavages of coagulation factor Va.

Activated protein C inhibits the procoagulant function of activated factor V (FVa) through proteolytic cleavages at Arg-306, Arg-506, and Arg-679. The cleavage at Arg-506 is kinetically favored but protected by factor Xa (FXa). Protein S has been suggested to annihilate the inhibitory effect of FXa, a proposal that has been challenged. To elucidate the effects of FXa and protein S on the individual cleavage sites of FVa, we used recombinant FVa:Q306/Q679 and FVa:Q506/Q679 variants, which can only be cleaved at Arg-506 and Arg-306, respectively. In the presence of active site blocked FXa (FXa-1.5-dansyl-Glu-Gly-Arg), the FVa inactivation was followed over time, and apparent second order rate constants were calculated. Consistent with results on record, we observed that FXa-1.5-dansyl-Glu-Gly-Arg decreased the Arg-506 cleavage by 20-fold, with a half-maximum inhibition of ∼2 nm. Interestingly and in contrast to the inhibitory effect of FXa on the 506 cleavage, FXa stimulated the Arg-306 cleavage. Protein S counteracted the inhibition by FXa of the Arg-506 cleavage, whereas protein S and FXa yielded additive stimulatory effect of the cleavage at Arg-306. This suggests that FXa and protein S interact with distinct sites on FVa, which is consistent with the observed lack of inhibitory effect on FXa binding to FVa by protein S. We propose that the apparent annihilation of the FXa protection of the Arg-506 cleavage by protein S is due to an enhanced rate of Arg-506 cleavage of FVa not bound to FXa, resulting in depletion of free FVa and dissociation of FXa-FVa complexes.

Mapping of the factor Xa-binding site on factor Va by site-directed mutagenesis.

Activated coagulation factor V functions as a cofactor to factor Xa in the conversion of prothrombin to thrombin. Based on the introduction of extra carbohydrate side chains in recombinant factor V, we recently proposed several regions in factor Va to be important for factor Xa binding. To further define which residues are important for factor Xa binding, we prepared fifteen recombinant factor V variants in which clusters of charged amino acid residues were mutated, mainly to alanines. The factor V variants were expressed in COS-1 cells, and their functional properties evaluated in a prothrombinase-based assay, as well as in a direct binding test. Four of the factor V variants, 501A/510A/511D, 501A/510A/511D/513A, 513A/577A/578A, and 501A/510A/511D/513A/577A/578A exhibited markedly reduced factor Xa-cofactor activity tested in the prothrombinase assay, and reduced binding affinity as judged by the direct binding assay. These factor Va variants were normally cleaved at Arg-506 by activated protein C, and the interaction between the factor Xa-factor Va complex and prothrombin was unaffected by the introduced mutations. Based on the integration of all available data, we propose a key factor Xa binding surface to be centered on Arg-501, Arg-510, Ala-511, Asp-513, Asp-577, and Asp-578 in the factor Va A2 domain. These residues form an elongated charged factor Xa binding cluster on the factor Va surface.

Factor Va - factor Xa interactions: molecular sites involved in enzyme:cofactor assembly

The generation of thrombin by the prothrombinase complex is a key event in coagulation. In this complex, the activated form of coagulation factor V (FVa) serves as an essential cofactor to factor Xa (FXa) in the activation of prothrombin to thrombin. The enzyme FXa is virtually ineffective in the absence of its cofactor. The assembly of FXa with its cofactor FVa on negatively charged phospholipid membranes enhances its catalytic efficiency by several orders of magnitude. The non-activated procofactor factor V (FV) circulates in plasma with a domain organization of A1-A2-B-A3-C1-C2 expressing little procoagulant activity. Upon activation through limited proteolysis by either thrombin or FXa, the B-domain dissociates from FVa. After activation, the procoagulant activity of FVa is greatly enhanced. This report provides insight into the interaction of FV and FXa and the molecular events important in enzyme:cofactor assembly of the FXa:FVa complex. Furthermore, light is shed on the molecular events associated with the activation process, i.e. the release of the B-domain and exposure of binding sites for FXa. The assembly of FVa and FXa was studied using a set of recombinant FV mutants. The interaction between FVa and FXa on phospholipid was investigated with a functional prothrombin activation assay as well as in a novel direct binding assay in the absence of prothrombin. We found that all three thrombin cleavages in FV contribute to increasing the FXa affinity and that the B-domain in intact FV has an inhibitory effect on the FV-FXa interaction, which is important in prohibiting premature coagulation.