PRGDWR-尿激酶原双功能嵌合分子的性质研究

为赋予单链尿激酶型纤溶酶原激活剂(single chain urokinase-type plasminogen activator, scu-PA, 尿激酶原)以抗血小板聚集的功能,在scu-PA的kringle区118位Gly与119位Leu之间插入PRGDWR序列（insert mutant B,InB）.利用甲醇酵母（Pichia pastoris）进行分泌表达,经金属离子螯合亲和层析与S强阳离子交换层析,得到纯蛋白.实验测定InB对人工合成底物S-2444的酰胺解活性为5 900 IU/mg,动力学常数为：K_m,S-2444^InB=56.8 μmol·L^-1,k_cat,S-2444^InB=0.33 s^-1;水解天然底物plasminogen的动力学常数为：K_m,plg^InB=0.397 μmol·L^-1,k_cat,plg^InB=0.0164 s^-1.InB激活plasminogen的反应在有fibrin存在条件下InB的活性为无fibrin条件下的46.3％.该突变体在体外激活plasminogen的活性与同一系统表达的野生型scu-PA基本相同.该突变体表现出较强的抗血小板聚集活性,IC₅₀＝12.7 μmol·L^-1,而野生型scu-PA无此功能.实验表明scu-PA的K区插入突变体InB是一种极具潜力的双功能溶栓分子.     

通过易错PCR提高鼠伤寒沙门氏菌丙氨酸消旋酶催化活性

[目的] 通过易错PCR技术提高鼠伤寒沙门氏菌中丙氨酸消旋酶的催化活性。[方法] 利用易错PCR技术构建丙氨酸消旋酶基因alr_St的突变体文库,采用缺陷菌株UT5028筛选突变体基因,以D-氨基酸氧化酶偶联法检测各突变蛋白的活性,通过凝胶过滤层析法分析酶蛋白寡聚化状态,并采用HPLC检测酶蛋白的动力学参数。[结果] 经过易错PCR及定点突变技术最终获得了3个催化活性有所提高的突变体A3V、Y343H和A3VY343H,酶学特性分析发现,与野生型蛋白StAlr相比,突变体Y343H仅对底物L/D-丝氨酸的催化效率略有提高,k_cat/K_m值分别是StAlr的2.01和3.68倍;而突变体A3V则对底物L/D-丙氨酸或L/D-丝氨酸的K_m、k_cat和k_cat/K_m值均有较大幅度的改变,其k_cat/K_m值分别是StAlr的105.51、97.36、4.63和10.73倍。凝胶过滤层析结果显示,突变体A3V在蛋白含量极低时就呈现出单体和二聚体共存状态,且随着蛋白含量的增加,其向二聚体状态迁移的速率最为明显。[结论] 丙氨酸消旋酶StAlr的第3位点是影响其催化活性和低聚合状态的关键位点。     

根霉12#发酵产生纤溶酶的酶学性质

溶栓疗法是血栓性疾病安全有效的治疗手段 ,开发新型纤溶酶具有实际应用意义。分离自南方小酒药的根霉 12^#以豆粕和麸皮为原料可产生纤溶酶。已采用盐析 ,疏水层析、离子交换层析和凝胶层析方法对纤溶酶分离提纯。提纯的纤溶酶比活力 2143u/mg(尿激酶单位 ) ,有直接溶解血栓和激活纤溶酶原的双重溶栓作用 ,降解纤维蛋白α、β和γ肽链速度快 ;最适作用温度 4 5℃ ,适宜作用pH范围 6.8～8.8;等电聚焦方法测定该酶等电点 8.5± 0.1;只分解生色底物N-Succinyl-Ala-Ala-Pro-Phe-pNA ,其米氏常数K_m 为 0.23mmol/L ,酶转换数K_cat为 16.36s^-1;Molish实验和甲苯胺蓝实验均证明该酶为糖蛋白 ,地衣酚_硫酸法测得该酶含糖量 470% ;EDTA、PMSF、PCMB对该纤溶酶有抑制作用 ,说明活性中心含有巯基、金属和丝氨酸 ;N端12个氨基酸序列为NH2-Ser-Val-Ser-Glu-Ile-Gln-Leu-Met-His-Asn-Leu-Gly,与其它生物来源的纤溶酶相比较没有同源性。根霉 12^#产生的纤溶酶为新型纤溶酶,有希望开发成溶栓药物。     

聚乙二醇修饰对酶活性和稳定性的影响

经氰尿酰氯和对硝基苯碳酸酯活化过的甲氧基聚乙二醇分别用来对枯草杆菌蛋白酶进行化学修饰．修饰后的酶在水溶液和有机溶剂中均保持活性．酶在水溶液里的k_cat增加,K_m不变.酶对温度和pH的稳定性都显著升高,但最佳反应温度不变．     

灵芝UDP-葡萄糖4-差向异构酶酶学性质研究及其应用

【背景】灵芝多糖是灵芝的重要活性物质之一。UDP-葡萄糖4-差向异构酶（UDP-glucose 4-epimerase,UGE,EC 5.1.3.2）是灵芝多糖合成途径中糖供体生成的重要酶,其参与了UDP-葡萄糖与UDP-半乳糖的相互转化,与多糖中半乳糖残基含量密切相关。【目的】通过对来源于灵芝的UGE基因进行异源表达,丰富灵芝多糖糖供体合成途径重要酶的酶学特性信息,深入了解灵芝多糖代谢合成途径。【方法】以灵芝菌株（Ganoderma lingzhi） CGMCC 5.26的cDNA为模板,克隆得到UGE基因GL30389,并在Escherichia coli BL21（DE3）中诱导表达,产物纯化后进行酶学性质、酶动力学、底物专一性及转化率的研究。【结果】灵芝UGE的分子量为45 kDa。最适反应pH值为6.0,在pH 7.0—9.0范围内有较好的稳定性;最适反应温度为30℃,温度在40℃时稳定性最好。Fe²⁺和Mg²⁺对UGE有激活作用。以UDP-葡萄糖为底物时,K_m为0.824 mmol/L,V_max为769.230 μmol/（L·min）,k_cat为1.333 s^—1,k_cat/K_m为1.618 L/（mmol·s）。灵芝UGE对D-葡萄糖、半乳糖醛酸及N-乙酰葡萄糖胺有催化活性。通过优化pH、温度、底物与酶的配比、添加金属离子将转化率从16.0%提升至39.4%。【结论】灵芝UGE与植物来源的UGE酶学性质较为相似,其催化效率优于大部分细菌来源的UGE。本研究丰富了灵芝多糖糖供体合成途径重要酶的酶学特性信息,有利于深入了解灵芝多糖代谢合成途径。     

Characterization of the catalytically active Mn(II)-loaded argE -encoded N -acetyl-l -ornithine deacetylase from Escherichia coli

The catalytically competent Mn(II)-loaded form of the argE-encoded N-acetyl-l-ornithine deacetylase from Escherichia coli (ArgE) was characterized by kinetic, thermodynamic, and spectroscopic methods. Maximum N-acetyl-l-ornithine (NAO) hydrolytic activity was observed in the presence of one Mn(II) ion with k _cat and K _m values of 550 s⁻¹ and 0.8 mM, respectively, providing a catalytic efficiency (k _cat/K _m) of 6.9 × 10⁵ M⁻¹ s⁻¹. The ArgE dissociation constant (K _d) for Mn(II) was determined to be 0.18 μM, correlating well with a value obtained by isothermal titration calorimetry of 0.30 μM for the first metal binding event and 5.3 μM for the second. An Arrhenius plot of the NAO hydrolysis for Mn(II)-loaded ArgE was linear from 15 to 55 °C, suggesting the rate-limiting step does not change as a function of temperature over this range. The activation energy, determined from the slope of this plot, was 50.3 kJ mol⁻¹. Other thermodynamic parameters were ΔG ^‡ = 58.1 kJ mol⁻¹, ΔH ^‡ = 47.7 kJ mol⁻¹, and ΔS ^‡ = –34.5 J mol⁻¹ K⁻¹. Similarly, plots of lnK _m versus 1/T were linear, suggesting substrate binding is controlled by a single step. The natural product, [(2S,3R)-3-amino-2-hydroxy-4-phenylbutanoyl]leucine (bestatin), was found to be a competitive inhibitor of ArgE with a K _i value of 67 μM. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) data recorded for both [Mn(II)_(ArgE)] and [Mn(II)Mn(II)(ArgE)] indicate that the two Mn(II) ions form a dinuclear site. Moreover, the EPR spectrum of [Mn(II)Mn(II)(ArgE)] in the presence of bestatin indicates that bestatin binds to ArgE but does not form a μ-alkoxide bridge between the two metal ions.     

Phytoplankton primary production in a mesotrophic pond in sub-tropical Bangladesh

Annual gross primary productivity in mesotrophic Shahidullah Hall pond (Dhaka, Bangladesh) was 1383.35 g C m⁻² y⁻¹ (arithmetic mean). Daily primary productivity (between 1.6 and 6.8 g C m⁻² d⁻¹ was correlated with chlorophylla, day length and dissolved silica. Chlorophylla related significantly withk, incident light, SRP, alkalinity and conductivity. A negative correlation existed between biomass and rainfall. Productivity, biomass, conductivity, alkalinity, and SRP increased after mid-winter.k, I _k andZ _eu varied according seasonally.P _max related directly with temperature. Seasonal variation of ∝ ^B was 0.0049–0.0258 mg C (mg chla mmol PAR)⁻¹ m⁻². Q₁₀ was 2.12, community respiration 1334.99 g C m⁻² y⁻¹, and the underwater light climate 186.43μE m⁻² s⁻¹.     

Effects of different irradiances on the photosynthetic process during ex-vitro acclimation of Anoectochilus plantlets

Six months old in vitro-grown Anoectochilus formosanus plantlets were transferred to ex-vitro acclimation under low irradiance, LI [60 μmol(photon) m⁻² s⁻¹], intermediate irradiance, II [180 μmol(photon) m⁻² s⁻¹], and high irradiance, HI [300 μmol(photon) m⁻² s⁻¹] for 30 d. Imposition of II led to a significant increase of chlorophyll (Chl) b content, rates of net photosynthesis (P _N) and transpiration (E), stomatal conductance (g _s), electron transfer rate (ETR), quantum yield of electron transport from water through photosystem 2 (Φ_PS2), and activity of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/ oxygenase (RuBPCO, EC 4.1.1.39). This indicates that Anoectochilus was better acclimated at II compared to LI treatment. On the other hand, HI acclimation led to a significant reduction of Chl a and b, P _N, E, g _s, photochemical quenching, dark-adapted quantum efficiency of open PS2 centres (F_v/F_m), probability of an absorbed photon reaching an open PS2 reaction centre (F_v′/F_m′), ETR, Φ_PS2, and energy efficiency of CO₂ fixation (Φ_CO2/Φ_PS2). This indicates that HI treatment considerably exceeded the photo-protective capacity and Anoectochilus suffered HI induced damage to the photosynthetic apparatus. Imposition of HI significantly increased the contents of antheraxanthin and zeaxanthin (ZEA), non-photochemical quenching, and conversion of violaxanthin to ZEA. Thus Anoectochilus modifies its system to dissipate excess excitation energy and to protect the photosynthetic machinery.     

一种新的纤溶酶原激活反应动力学研究方法

 在溶栓研究中 ,纤溶酶原激活剂 (plasminogen activator,PA)激活纤溶酶原 (plasminogen,Plg)反应的动力学常数的测定占有重要地位 .在前人的研究中 ,虽然进行了这项实验 ,但是并未给出一个方便、快捷的测定方法 .所以建立一种更准确 ,更适合一般的实验室条件的 PA分子激活 Plg反应动力学常数的测定方法是必要的 .在对该反应进行数学分析的基础上 ,得到由可测量表示的纤溶酶 (plasmin,Plm)生成速度 (v(Plm) )的计算公式 ,由 v(Plm)及相应已知量可进一步推导出 Km、kcat的表达式 ,最终测得相应动力学常数 .用这种方法测定的由甲醇酵母 (pichia pastoris)表达的人单链尿激酶型纤溶酶原激活剂 (human single chain urokinase- PA,scu- PA)激活 Plg的反应的 Km=0 .648μmol·L-1,kcat=0 .0 62 6s-1,与文献报导相符 (Km=0 .4～ 1 .1 μmol· L-1,kcat=0 .0 2～ 0 .0 93) s-1,说明此方法是可靠的 .又因该法只需相应底物及酶标仪且为连续测定 ,所以十分简便 .     

平原入进驻高原后凝血和纤溶功能的改变及其意义

目的：探讨高原低氧环境下凝血及纤溶功能的变化。方法：对从平原（海拔1400m）进驻3700m和5380m高原第7d及半年的40名健康青年血浆抗凝血酶Ⅲ（AT－M）、纤溶酶原含量（PLG）、D－二聚体含量（DD）、组织纤溶酶原激活物活性（t-PA）、纤溶酶原激活抑制物活性（PAI）、纤溶蛋白原（Fg）、α2－抗纤溶酶抑制物活性（α2－PI）进行检测,并与20名平原健康青年作对照。结果：高原低氧环境AT－Ⅲ、t-PA明显低于平原（P＜0.05或P＜0.01）,且随海拔高度的升高而降低（P＜0.01）,随居住时间的延长而升高（P＜0.05或P＜0.01）。PLG、DD、PAI、α2－PI及Fg在海拔3700m第7d和海拔5380m第7d及半年均较平原增高显著（（P＜0.05或P＜0.01）,且随海拔高度的升高而增高,居住时间的延长而降低（P＜0.05或P＜0.01）;3700m居住半年时较平原无显著性差异（P＞0.05）。结论：高原低氧存在凝血功能紊乱,表现为凝血与纤溶被激活的同时伴有纤溶受抑,凝血及纤溶的平衡被破坏而使血液呈高凝和低纤溶状态。     

单链尿激酶型纤溶酶原激活剂Kringle结构域催化功能探讨

 Kringle(K)结构域广泛存在于与凝血和纤溶相关的各种因子中 .虽然 K结构域在一级结构上是一种比较保守的结构域 (与其他结构域相比 ) ,但是 K结构域的功能在各种因子中的作用有很大的区别 .为探讨单链尿激酶型纤溶酶原激活剂 (scu- PA)的 K结构域功能 ,构建了在 scu- PA的 K结构域的 1 1 8位 Gly与 1 1 9位 Leu之间插入 PRGDWR序列的突变体 (称为 insert mutant B,In B) ,并测定了野生型 scu- PA与 In B的纤溶相关反应的动力学常数 . scu- PA与 In B水解 S- 2 4 4 4反应的 Km 值无明显变化 (分别为 60 .4与 56.8μmol·L-1) ,而 In B的 kcat值 (0 .33s-1)比 scu- PA的 kcat值 (7.31 s-1)降低很多 ;In B激活纤溶酶原反应的 Km 值 (0 .397μmol· L-1)比 scu- PA Km 值(0 .648μmol·L-1)降低 40 % ,但 kcat值 (0 .0 1 65s-1)比 scu- PA的 kcat值 (0 .0 62 6s-1)降低 74% .以上结果说明 :K结构域主要与反应活性相关 ,而与酶及底物的亲和性无关 .     

On the mechanism of fibrin-specific plasminogen activation by staphylokinase

The mechanism of plasminogen activation by recombinant staphylokinase was studied both in the absence and in the presence of fibrin, in purified systems, and in human plasma. Staphylokinase, like streptokinase, forms a stoichiometric complex with plasminogen that activates plasminogen following Michaelis-Menten kinetics with Km = 7.0 microM and k2 = 1.5 s-1. In purified systems, alpha 2-antiplasmin inhibits the plasminogen-staphylokinase complex with k1(app) = 2.7 +/- 0.30 x 10(6) M-1 s-1 (mean +/- S.D., n = 12), but not the plasminogen-streptokinase complex. Addition of 6-aminohexanoic acid induces a concentration-dependent reduction of k1(app) to 2.0 +/- 0.17 x 10(4) M-1 s-1 (mean +/- S.D., n = 5) at concentrations greater than or equal to 30 mM, with a 50% reduction at a 6-aminohexanoic acid concentration of 60 microM. Staphylokinase does not bind to fibrin, and fibrin stimulates the initial rate of plasminogen activation by staphylokinase only 4-fold. Staphylokinase induces a dose-dependent lysis of a 0.12-ml 125I-fibrin-labeled human plasma clot submersed in 0.5 ml of citrated human plasma; 50% lysis in 2 h is obtained with 17 nM staphylokinase and is associated with only 5% plasma fibrinogen degradation. Corresponding values for streptokinase are 68 nM and more than 90% fibrinogen degradation. In the absence of a fibrin clot, 50% fibrinogen degradation in human plasma in 2 h requires 790 nM staphylokinase, but only 4.4 nM streptokinase. These results suggest the following mechanism for relatively fibrin-specific clot lysis with staphylokinase in a plasma milieu. In plasma in the absence of fibrin, the plasminogen-staphylokinase complex is rapidly neutralized by alpha 2-antiplasmin, thus preventing systemic plasminogen activation. In the presence of fibrin, the lysine-binding sites of the plasminogen-staphylokinase complex are occupied and inhibition by alpha 2-antiplasmin is retarded, thus allowing preferential plasminogen activation at the fibrin surface.     

Influence of various structural domains of fibrinogen and fibrin on the potentiation of plasminogen activation by recombinant tissue plasminogen activator

Fibrinogen, fibrin, and related fragments have varying stimulatory effects on the initial rate of the activation of human plasminogen ([Glu¹]Pg) by recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA). A detailed analysis of this enhancement was undertaken using various purified and complexed forms of the known domains of fibrin(ogen) with a view to gaining additional knowledge regarding the substructures of fibrinogen and fibrin that are important for their stimulatory capacities. Both arvin-mediated fibrin, as well as fibrinogen fragments generated as a result of its cleavage with CNBr, stimulate the activation in a biphasic manner, most likely as a result of changes in the promoter molecule accompanying the denaturation processes that are normally employed to either solubilize or generate these particular promoters. Using purified fibrinogen and fibrin fragments, it was found that fragment E, which binds to [Glu¹]Pg, does not enhance the activation reaction, while fragment D₁ has a potentiating effect. This suggests that the binding of [Glu¹]Pg to fibrin(ogen) alone is not, in itself, sufficient for stimulation of activation to occur, but that the rt-PA-fibrin(ogen) interaction is fundamental to this same process. All purified and mixtures of fragments containing the fragment D domain (e.g., D₂E, X-oligomer, fragment X) stimulate the reaction to a greater degree than fibrinogen and fragment D₁. It is concluded that the fibrinogen D domain is asine qua non for the enhancement reaction, while structures containing the E domain had a symbiotic effect on enhancement.On study leave from the National Institute for Biological Standards and Control, South Mimms, HERTS EN6 3QG, England.     

不同光照强度和温度对金钗石斛生长的影响

为了系统地研究不同光照强度下温度对金钗石斛(Dendrobium nobile)生长的影响,在金钗石斛分蘖期,于80μmol·m-2·s-1、160μmol·m-2·s-1、320μmol·m-2·s-1、640μmol·m-2·s-1的不同光强下,各设置5个温度(15℃、20℃、25℃、30℃、35℃)梯度对石斛进行处理。结果表明：石斛的生长与代谢随温度由低到高,表现出弱—强—弱的变化规律;80μmol·m-2·S-1光强下,石斛生长以25～30℃较为适宜;160μmol·m-2·s-1光强下则以20～25℃为适宜温度范围;320μmol·m-2·s-1与640μmol·m-2·s-1的中、强光照下,25℃处理石斛的生长优势尤为明显;不同光强下,石斛鲜重的增长大多以25℃处理更快,繁殖力则以20℃与25℃处理较高,各光强下的MDA含量随温度升高而先降后升,且均以25℃最低;可溶性蛋白质、可溶性总糖及叶绿素含量则表现出随温度由低到高而先增后减的趋势,其含量最高点均出现在25℃左右;净光合速率和叶绿素含量随光强和温度的变化趋势基本一致;各种光强下的暗呼吸速率均随温度升高而增大。因此,在不同的光照条件下,石斛生长的适宜温度均在25℃左右。光温处理引起石斛生理生化过程明显的相应变化表现出：高温和弱光照条件有利于石斛的株高增长,但不利于产量和质量提高;石斛的生长与MDA含量呈显著负相关(r80＝-0.9082、r160＝-0.9816、r320＝-0.8075、r640＝-0.8586),与可溶性糖含量呈一定正相关(r80＝0.7673、r160＝0.8892、r320＝0.8179、r640＝0.9278),并且石斛的生长与可溶性蛋白质含量、叶绿素含量、光合速率之间的变化趋势基本一致。     

Molecular mechanisms of fibrinolysis and their application to fibrin-specific thrombolytic therapy

The fibrinolytic system comprises a proenzyme, plasminogen, which can be converted to the active enzyme, plasmin, which degrades fibrin. Plasminogen activation is mediated by plasminogen activators, which are classified as either tissue-type plasminogen activators (t-PA) or urokinase-type plasminogen activators (u-PA). Inhibition of the fibrinolytic system may occur at the level of the activators or at the level of generated plasmin. Plasmin has a low substrate specificity, and when circulating freely in the blood it degrades several proteins including fibrinogen, factor V, and factor VIII. Plasma does, however, contain a fast-acting plasmin inhibitor, alpha 2-antiplasmin, which inhibits free plasmin extremely rapidly but which reacts much slower with plasmin bound to fibrin. A "systemic fibrinolytic state" may, however, occur by extensive activation of plasminogen and depletion of alpha 2-antiplasmin. Clot-specific thrombolysis therefore requires plasminogen activation restricted to the vicinity of the fibrin. Two physiological plasminogen activators, t-PA and single-chain u-PA (scu-PA) induce clot-specific thrombolysis, via entirely different mechanisms, however. t-PA is relatively inactive in the absence of fibrin, but fibrin strikingly enhances the activation rate of plasminogen by t-PA. This is explained by an increased affinity of fibrin-bound t-PA for plasminogen and not by alteration of the catalytic rate constant of the enzyme. The high affinity of t-PA for plasminogen in the presence of fibrin thus allows efficient activation on the fibrin clot, while no significant plasminogen activation by t-PA occurs in plasma. scu-PA has a high affinity for plasminogen (Km = 0.3 microM) but a low catalytic rate constant (kcat = 0.02 sec-1). However, scu-PA does not activate plasminogen in plasma in the absence of a fibrin clot, owing to the presence of (a) competitive inhibitor(s). Fibrin-specific thrombolysis appears to be due to the fact that fibrin reverses the competitive inhibition. The thrombolytic efficacy and fibrin specificity of natural and recombinant t-PA has been demonstrated in animal models of pulmonary embolism, venous thrombosis, and coronary artery thrombosis. In all these studies intravenous infusion of t-PA at sufficiently high rates caused efficient thrombolysis in the absence of systemic fibrinolytic activation. The efficacy and relative fibrinogen-sparing effect of t-PA was recently confirmed in three multicenter clinical trials in patients with acute myocardial infarction.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

Trinitrobenzoylated poly(D-lysine) as a stimulator of interactions between plasminogen, plasmin, and tissue-type plasminogen activator

Trinitrobenzyl alkylation of poly(D-lysine) provides a novel powerful stimulator of tissue-type plasminogen activator. Its stimulatory effect on plasminogen activation is far greater than that of the original poly(D-lysine), and even surpasses that of fibrin. Its effect on plasmin-catalysed modification of both tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA) and native (Glu-1-) plasminogen are also investigated. Cleavage of one-chain t-PA to its two-chain form is monitored by measuring the increase in amidolytic activity which accompanies this transformation. Presupposing apparent first-order reaction kinetics, a theory is developed by which the rate constant, kcat/Km = 1.0 X 10(6) M-1 X s-1 of plasmin cleavage of one-chain t-PA can be calculated. Plasmin-catalysed transformation of 125I-labelled Glu-1- to Lys-77-plasminogen is quantified following separation by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis at pH 3.2. A rate constant, kcat/Km = 4.4 X 10(3) M-1 X s-1 is obtained for the reaction between plasmin and Glu-1-plasminogen in the presence of 1 mM trans-4-(aminomethyl)cyclohexane-1-carboxylic acid. Both of the above plasmin-catalysed reactions are strongly enhanced by trinitrobenzoylated poly(D-lysine). The mechanism of action of this stimulator is elucidated by studying its binding to both activator and plasmin(ogen), and by direct comparison of the results with measurements of plasminogen activation kinetics in the presence of the stimulator. Binding studies are performed exploiting the observation that an insoluble yellow complex is formed between plasminogen and modified poly(D-lysine). Protein-polymer interactions are also studied with solubilised components in an aqueous two-phase partition system containing dextran and poly(ethylene glycol). The rate enhancement of plasminogen activation is found to be closely correlated to the association of plasminogen to the stimulator. It is proposed that the stimulator effects of this simple polymer on the enzymatic activities of both plasminogen activator and plasmin are brought about by association of the proteinase and its substrate to a common matrix. Similarities between the action of the artificial and the natural stimulator (fibrin) are stressed. These properties of trinitrobenzoylated poly(D-lysine) makes it useful as a model for the study of the regulatory mechanism of the fibrinolytic process at the molecular level.     

An elastase-dependent pathway of plasminogen activation

In reaction mixtures containing Glu-plasminogen, alpha 2-antiplasmin, and tissue plasminogen activator or urokinase, either pancreatic or leukocyte elastase enhances the rate of plasminogen activation by 2 or more orders of magnitude. This effect is the consequence of several reactions. (a) In concentrations on the order of 100 nM, elastase degrades plasminogen within 10 min to yield des-kringle1-4-plasminogen (mini-plasminogen), which is 10-fold more efficient than Glu-plasminogen as a substrate for plasminogen activators. Des-kringle1-4-plasminogen is insensitive to cofactor activities of fibrin(ogen) fragments or an endothelial cell cofactor. (b) Des-kringle1-4-plasmin is one-tenth as sensitive as plasmin to inhibition by alpha 2-antiplasmin: k" = 10(6) M-1 s-1 versus 10(7) M-1 s-1. (c) alpha 2-Antiplasmin is disabled efficiently by elastase, with a k" of 20,000 M-1 s-1. The elastase-dependent reactions are not influenced by 6-aminohexanoate. In diluted (10-fold) blood plasma, the capacity of endogenous inhibitors to block plasmin expression is suppressed by 30 microM elastase. It is proposed that elastases provide an alternative pathway for Glu-plasminogen activation and a mechanism for controlling initiation of fibrinolysis by urokinase-type plasminogen activators.     

Characterization of functional domains in human tissue-type plasminogen activator with the use of monoclonal antibodies

Two murine monoclonal antibodies (MA-2G6 and MA-1C8), secreted by hybridomas obtained by fusion of myeloma cells with spleen cells from mice immunized with human tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA), inhibited the activity of t-PA on fibrin plates. MA-2G6 inhibited the amidolytic activity of t-PA and did not react with t-PA in which the active-site serine was blocked with diisopropylfluorophosphate nor with t-PA in which the active-site histidine was alkylated by reaction with D-Ile-Pro-Arg-CH2Cl. This indicated that MA-2G6 is directed against an epitope covering the active site of t-PA. MA-1C8 did not inhibit the amidolytic activity of t-PA, but abolished both the binding of t-PA to fibrin and the stimulatory effect of fibrin on the activation of plasminogen by t-PA. Thus MA-1C8 is directed against an epitope which covers the fibrin-binding site of t-PA. The A and B chains of partially reduced two-chain t-PA were separated by immunoadsorption on immobilized MA-1C8 and MA-2G6. The purified B chain reacted with MA-2G6 but not with MA-1C8 and activated plasminogen following Michaelis-Menten kinetics with kinetic constants similar to those of intact t-PA (Km = 100 microM and kcat = 0.02 s-1). However, fibrin or CNBr-digested fibrinogen did not stimulate the activation of plasminogen by the B chain. The purified A chain reacted with MA-1C8 but not with MA-2G6. It bound to fibrin with an affinity similar to that of intact t-PA but did not activate plasminogen. It is concluded that the active center of t-PA is located in the B chain and the fibrin-binding site in the A-chain. Both functional domains are required for the regulation by fibrin of the t-PA-mediated activation of plasminogen.