Mapping of the discontinuous H-kininogen binding site of plasma prekallikrein. Evidence for a critical role of apple domain-2.

Plasma prekallikrein, a zymogen of the contact phase system, circulates in plasma as heterodimeric complex with H-kininogen. The binding is mediated by the prekallikrein heavy chain consisting of four apple domains, A1 to A4, to which H-kininogen binds with high specificity and affinity (K(D) = 1.2 x 10(-8) M). Previous work had demonstrated that a discontinuous kininogen-binding site is formed by a proximal part located in A1, a distal part exposed by A4, and other yet unidentified portion(s) of the kallikrein heavy chain. To detect relevant binding segment(s) we recombinantly expressed single apple domains and found a rank order of binding affinity for kininogen of A2 > A4 approximately A1 > A3. Removal of single apple domains in prekallikrein deletion mutants reduced kininogen binding by 21 (A1), 64 (A2), and 24% (A4), respectively, whereas deletion of A3 was without effect. Transposition of homologous A2 domain from prekallikrein to factor XI conferred high-affinity kininogen binding from the former to the latter. The principal role of A2 for H-kininogen docking to the prekallikrein heavy chain was further substantiated by the finding that cleavage of a single peptide bond in A2 drastically diminished the H-kininogen binding affinity. Furthermore, the epitope of monoclonal antibody PKH6 which blocks kallikrein-kininogen complex formation with an IC(50) of 8 nM mapped to the center portion of domain A2. Our data indicate that domain A2 and two flanking sequence segments of A1 and A4 form a discontinuous binding platform for H-kininogen on the prekallikrein heavy chain. Domain-specific antibodies directed to these critical sites efficiently interfered with contact phase-induced bradykinin release from H-kininogen.     

Localization of distinct functional domains on prekallikrein for interaction with both high molecular weight kininogen and activated factor XII in a 28-kDa fragment (amino acids 141-371).

The predominant autolytic form of human kallikrein, beta-kallikrein, was used to localize the high molecular weight kininogen (HK) binding site on kallikrein as well as the substrate recognition site for activated factor XII on prekallikrein. beta-Kallikrein is formed by autolysis of the kallikrein heavy chain to give two fragments of approximately 18 and 28 kDa by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. A ligand binding technique established that the HK binding site on kallikrein residues on the 28-kDa fragment of the heavy chain. Limited NH2-terminal sequencing of this portion of beta-kallikrein showed that this fragment of the heavy chain consists of the COOH-terminal 231 amino acids of the heavy chain. A panel of five murine monoclonal antibodies to human prekallikrein (PK) were found to have epitopes on this same fragment of the heavy chain. None of the monoclonal antibodies were able to block binding of HK to PK. Three of the monoclonal antibodies (13G11, 13H11, and 6A6) were able to inhibit the activation of PK to kallikrein in both a plasma system and a purified system. The 28-kDa fragment of the PK heavy chain was purified and was able to compete with HK for binding to PK. The HK binding site and the site of recognition of factor XII are separate and distinct on PK, and both are contained in the COOH-terminal 231 amino acids of the PK heavy chain.     

Mapping of the prekallikrein-binding site of human H-kininogen by ligand screening of lambda gt11 expression libraries. Mimicking of the predicted binding site by anti-idiotypic antibodies.

High molecular weight (H-)kininogen, a non-enzymatic cofactor of the contact activation system, has on the COOH-terminal part of its light chain a unique binding site which complexes prekallikrein or factor XI with high affinity and specificity. In a conventional protein fragmentation approach, the prekallikrein-binding site was mapped to positions 556-595 of the human H-kininogen sequence (Tait, J. F., and Fujikawa, K. (1986) J. Biol. Chem. 261, 15396-15401). To gain more insight into the minimum structural requirements of the prekallikrein-binding site, we have developed an alternative strategy employing the lambda gt11 expression cloning system. A ligand assay was established which probes for the binding site in H-kininogen or recombinant fusion proteins thereof by complexation with prekallikrein, followed by a specific antibody against prekallikrein and a secondary labeled antibody. A cDNA library constructed in lambda gt11 from random fragments of a cDNA clone encoding the COOH-terminal part of the kininogen light chain was screened by the ligand assay, and 17 positive clones were identified. Analysis of their inserted cDNA sequences revealed a consensus sequence of 119 nucleotides which maps to the extreme 3' end (positions 1759-1877) of the coding part of the prekininogen mRNA. The consensus sequence encodes positions 569-607 of the kininogen light chain and overlaps by 27 residues (positions 569-595) with the binding segment identified previously by the fragment approach. Analysis of successively shortened peptides revealed that the common segment of 27 residues but not truncated versions thereof contains the essential structural elements for prekallikrein binding. This conclusion was corroborated by the finding that anti-idiotypic antibodies toward a monoclonal antibody directed to the binding segment of 27 residues bear internal image(s) of the binding site of H-kininogen. It is pointed out that the methodology described in this study may prove generally useful in the cloning and mapping of high affinity binding sites of proteins.     

Characterization of the H-kininogen-binding site on factor XI: a comparison of factor XI and plasma prekallikrein.

Factor XI (FXI), the zymogen of the blood coagulation protease FXIa, and the structurally homologous protein plasma prekallikrein circulate in plasma in noncovalent complexes with H-kininogen (HK). HK binds to the heavy chains of FXI and of prekallikrein. Each chain contains four apple domains (F1-F4 for FXI and P1-P4 for prekallikrein). Previous studies indicated that the HK-binding site on FXI is located in F1, whereas the major HK-binding site on prekallikrein is in P2. To determine the contribution of each FXI apple domain to HK-FXI complex formation, we examined binding of recombinant single apple domain-tissue plasminogen activator fusion proteins to HK. The order of affinity from highest to lowest is F2 F4 > F1 F3. Monoclonal antibodies against F2 are superior to F4 or F1 antibodies as inhibitors of HK binding to FXI. Antibody alphaP2, raised against prekallikrein, cross-reacts with FXI F2 and inhibits FXI-HK binding with an IC(50) of 8 nm. HK binding to a platelet-specific FXI variant lacking the N-terminal half of F2 is reduced > 5-fold compared with full-length FXI. A chimeric FXI molecule in which F2 is replaced by P2 is cleaved within P2 during activation by factor XIIa, resulting in greatly reduced HK binding capacity. In contrast, wild-type FXI is not cleaved within F2, and its binding capacity for HK is unaffected by factor XIIa. Our data show that HK binding to FXI involves multiple apple domains, with F2 being most important. The findings demonstrate a similarity in mechanism for FXI and prekallikrein binding to HK.     

Hageman factor substrates. Human plasma prekallikrein: mechanism of activation by Hageman factor and participation in hageman factor-dependent fibrinolysis.

Two molecular forms of prekallikrein can be isolated from pooled normal human plasma. Their approximate molecular weights by sodium dodecyl sulfate-gel electrophoresis are 88,000 and 85,000. The two bands observed are shown to represent prekallikrein by functional, immunochemical, and structural criteria. Both forms are cleaved by activated Hageman factor, they appear to share antigenic determinants, they are not interconvertible upon incubation with activated Hageman factor or kallikrein, and the ratio of kinin-generating, and plasminogen-activating activities of the preparations are independent of the relative proportion of each band. Activated Factor XII converts prekallikrein to kallikrein by limited proteolysis and two disulfide-linked chains designated kallikrein heavy chain (Mr = 52,000) and kallikrein light chains (Mr = 36,000 or 33,000) are formed. The active site is associated with the light chains as assessed by incorporation of [3H]diisopropyl fluorophosphate. No dissociable fragments were observed in the absence of reducing agents. However, kallikrein could digest prekallikrein to diminish its molecular weight by 10,000. In addition, two factors capable of activating plasminogen to plasmin have been isolated; one is identified as kallikrein. The second principle fractionates with Factor XI and is demonstrable in normal and prekallikrein-deficient plasma.     

Immunological characterization of rat kininogens with monoclonal antibodies to T-kininogen. Distinction between the different domains of T-kininogen and the multiple rat kininogens.

A panel of 16 monoclonal antibodies (mAb) were produced against rat T-kininogen to characterize this family of proteins. These mAbs bound 125I-T-kininogen by radioimmunoassay as well as reacting strongly with immobilized T-kininogen in an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The reactivity of these antibodies with proteolytic fragments of T-kininogen demonstrated the recognition of several different epitopes. One antibody was specific for the domain 1 of the heavy chain and/or the light chain, twelve antibodies were specific for domain 2 and three antibodies were specific for domain 3. All monoclonal antibodies recognized the two forms of T-kininogen encoded by the two different T-kininogen genes, TI and TII kininogen, except antibody TK 16-3.1 which uniquely reacted with TII kininogen. Two antibodies recognizing domain 2 cross-reacted with the high-molecular-mass kininogen (H-kininogen), whereas all the other monoclonal antibodies were specific to T-kininogen and did not recognize the heavy chain of H-kininogen. None of the antibodies tested altered the thiol protease inhibitory activity of T-kininogen, its partial proteolysis by rat mast cell chymase or the hydrolysis of H-kininogen by rat urinary kallikrein. The use of these antibodies in the development of sensitive ELISA to measure T-kininogen levels in plasma, urine, liver microsomes and hepatocytes is described. Two different forms of T-kininogen were distinguished by these monoclonal antibodies in Western blotting using rat plasma. The localization of T-kininogen was defined using these monoclonal antibodies by immunohistochemistry in rat liver hepatocytes and rat kidney.     

Localization of the high molecular weight kininogen binding site in the heavy chain of human factor XI to amino acids phenylalanine 56 through serine 86

We have previously demonstrated that a monoclonal antibody (5F7) directed against the heavy chain region of factor XI inhibits the binding of factor XI to high molecular weight kininogen (high Mr kininogen) and the surface-mediated proteolytic activation of factor XI by factor XIIa in the presence of high Mr kininogen. In order to identify the structural domain of factor XI that binds high Mr kininogen, CNBr-digested factor XI was passed over a 5F7 antibody affinity column. One of two CNBr peptides that bound to this 5F7 affinity column inhibited binding of 125I-factor XI to high Mr kininogen, as did intact factor XI. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in sodium dodecyl sulfate of an inhibitory peptide purified by high performance liquid chromatography revealed an Mr of 10,000-15,000. Gas-phase sequencing of this peptide revealed the following amino-terminal sequence: X-X-Val-Thr-Gln-Leu-Leu-Lys-Asp-Thr. These data together with the amino acid composition of the isolated peptide indicate that both the epitope recognized by antibody 5F7 and at least a portion of the high Mr kininogen binding site are contained within the amino-terminal portion of factor XI comprising residues Glu-1 through Met-102. Further cleavage of this peptide with o-iodosobenzoic acid at a tryptophanyl peptide bond revealed that an Mr 5,000 peptide (with the amino-terminal sequence Trp-Phe-Thr-Cys-Val-Leu) bound to a high Mr kininogen affinity column and inhibited binding of 125I-factor XI to high Mr kininogen. Finally, a synthetic peptide comprising residues Phe-56 through Ser-86 inhibited 125I-factor XI binding to high Mr kininogen. These experiments strongly suggest that the high Mr kininogen binding site is contained within the domain in the heavy chain region of factor XI comprising residues Phe-56 through Ser-86.     

A catalytic domain exosite (Cys527-Cys542) in factor XIa mediates binding to a site on activated platelets

The zymogen, factor XI, and the enzyme, factor XIa, interact specifically with functional receptors on the surface of activated platelets. These studies were initiated to identify the molecular subdomain within factor XIa that binds to activated platelets. Both factor XIa (Ki approximately 1.4 nM) and a chimeric factor XIa containing the Apple 3 domain of prekallikrein (Ki approximately 2.7 nM) competed with [125I]factor XIa for binding sites on activated platelets, suggesting that the factor XIa binding site for platelets is not located in the Apple 3 domain which mediates factor XI binding to platelets. The recombinant catalytic domain (Ile370-Val607) inhibited the binding of [125I]factor XIa to the platelets (Ki approximately 3.5 nM), whereas the recombinant factor XI heavy chain did not, demonstrating that the platelet binding site is located in the light chain of factor XIa. A conformationally constrained cyclic peptide (Cys527-Cys542) containing a high-affinity (KD approximately 86 nM) heparin-binding site within the catalytic domain of factor XIa also displaced [125I]factor XIa from the surface of activated platelets (Ki approximately 5.8 nM), whereas a scrambled peptide of identical composition was without effect, suggesting that the binding site in factor XIa that interacts with the platelet surface resides in the catalytic domain near the heparin binding site of factor XIa. These data support the conclusion that a conformational transition accompanies conversion of factor XI to factor XIa that conceals the Apple 3 domain factor XI (zymogen) platelet binding site and exposes the factor XIa (enzyme) platelet binding site within the catalytic domain possibly comprising residues Cys527-Cys542.     

Hageman factor-dependent pathways: mechanism of initiation and bradykinin formation

The concentration of bradykinin in human plasma depends on its relative rates of formation and destruction. Bradykinin is destroyed by two enzymes: a plasma carboxypeptidase (anaphylatoxin inactivator) removes the COOH-terminal arginine to yield an inactive octapeptide, and a dipeptidase (identical to the angiotensin-converting enzyme) removes the COOH-terminal Phe-Arg to yield a fragment of seven amino acids that is further fragmented to an end product of five amino acids. Formation of bradykinin is initiated on binding of Hageman factor (HF) to certain negatively charged surfaces on which it autoactivates by an autodigestion mechanism. Initiation appears to depend on a trace of intrinsic activity present in HF that is at most 1/4000 that of activated HF (HFa); alternatively traces of circulating HFa could subserve the same function. HFa then converts coagulation factor XI to activated factor XI (XIa) and prekallikrein to kallikrein. Kallikrein then digests high-molecular-weight kininogen (HMW-kininogen) to form bradykinin. Prekallikrein and factor XI circulate bound to HMW-kininogen and surface binding of these complexes is mediated via this kininogen. In the absence of HMW-kininogen, activation of prekallikrein and factor XI is much diminished; thus HMW-kininogen has a cofactor function in kinin formation and coagulation. Once a trace of kallikrein is generated, a positive feedback reaction occurs in which kallikrein rapidly activates HF. This is much faster than the HF autoactivation rate; thus most HFa is formed by a kallikrein-dependent mechanism. HMW-kininogen is also therefore a cofactor for HF activation, but its effect on HF activation is indirect because it occurs via kallikrein formation. HFa can be further digested by kallikrein to form an active fragment (HFf), which is not surface bound and acts in the fluid phase. The activity of HFf on factor XI is minimal, but it is a potent prekallikrein activator and can therefore perpetuate fluid phase bradykinin formation until it is inactivated by the C1 inhibitor. In the absence of C1 inhibitor (hereditary angioedema) HFf may also interact with C1 and activate it enzymatically. The resultant augmented bradykinin formation and complement activation may account for the pathogenesis of the swelling characteristic of hereditary angioedema and the serologic changes observed during acute attacks.     

Factor XI binding to activated platelets is mediated by residues R(250), K(255), F(260), and Q(263) within the apple 3 domain

To localize the platelet binding site on factor XI, rationally designed, conformationally constrained synthetic peptides were used to compete with [(125)I]factor XI binding to activated platelets. The major platelet binding energy resided within the sequence of amino acids T(249)-F(260). Homology scanning, using prekallikrein amino acid substitutions within the synthetic peptide T(249)-F(260), identified a major role for R(250) in platelet binding. Inhibition of [(125)I]factor XI binding to activated platelets by the recombinant Apple 3 domain of factor XI and inhibition by unlabeled factor XI were identical, whereas the recombinant Apple 3 domain of prekallikrein had little effect. A "gain-of-function" chimera in which the C-terminal amino acid sequence of the Apple 3 domain of prekallikrein was replaced with that of factor XI was as effective as the recombinant Apple 3 domain of factor XI and unlabeled factor XI in inhibiting [(125)I]factor XI binding to activated platelets. Alanine scanning mutagenic analysis of the recombinant Apple 3 domain of factor XI indicated that amino acids R(250), K(255), F(260), and Q(263) (but not K(252) or K(253)) are important for platelet binding. Thus, the binding energy mediating the interaction of factor XI with platelets is contained within the C-terminal amino acid sequence of the Apple 3 domain (T(249)-V(271)) and is mediated in part by amino acid residues R(250), K(255), F(260), and Q(263).     

Primary structure requirements for the binding of human high molecular weight kininogen to plasma prekallikrein and factor XI

We recently identified residues 185-224 of the light chain of human high molecular weight kininogen (HMWK) as the binding site for plasma prekallikrein (Tait, J.F., and Fujikawa, K. (1986) J. Biol. Chem. 261, 15396-15401). In the present study, we have further defined the primary structure requirements for binding of HMWK to factor XI and prekallikrein. In a competitive fluorescence polarization binding assay, a 31-residue synthetic peptide (residues 194-224 of the HMWK light chain) bound to prekallikrein with a Kd of 20 +/- 6 nM, indistinguishable from the previously determined value of 18 +/- 5 nM for the light chain. We also prepared three shorter synthetic peptides corresponding to different portions of the 31-residue peptide (residues 205-224, 212-224, and 194-211), but these peptides bound to prekallikrein more than 100-fold more weakly. Factor XI also bound to the same region of the HMWK light chain, but at least 58 residues (185-242) were required for optimal binding (Kd = 69 +/- 4 nM for the light chain; Kd = 130 +/- 50 nM for residues 185-242). The four synthetic peptides inhibited kaolin-activated clotting of blood plasma with potencies paralleling their affinities for prekallikrein and factor XI. Peptide 194-224 can also be used for rapid affinity purification of prekallikrein and factor XI from plasma.     

Effects of chemical modifications on the surface- and protein-binding properties of the light chain of human high molecular weight kininogen

The light chain of kallikrein-cleaved human high molecular weight kininogen is solely responsible for its cofactor activity in blood clotting. Sequencing of the NH2-terminal region of the light chain reported herein identified the third kallikrein cleavage site of high molecular weight kininogen as Arg-437. The co-factor activity of high molecular weight kininogen consists of the capacity to bind to negatively charged surfaces and to factor XI or prekallikrein. Chemical modification of the histidines by either photooxidation or ethoxyformic anhydride affected the equivalent of 14-16 of 23 histidines available and resulted in over 90% loss in procoagulant activity. The modified protein had drastically reduced surface- and zinc-binding capacity, but it bound successfully to either factor XI or prekallikrein. In contrast, modification of two carboxyl groups, which led to approximately 80-90% loss of procoagulant activity, seriously compromised protein binding but left surface binding unaffected. All 3 tryptophans were modified at pH 4.0 with N-bromosuccinimide with a 70% reduction in procoagulant activity, but only 1 tryptophan was available for reaction at pH 7.35, resulting in a 50% loss in activity. Tryptophan modification at acidic pH affected protein binding but did not modify surface or zinc binding. Modification of both available tyrosine and 9 of 18 available lysine residues did not have a significant effect on the procoagulant activity of the light chain. These studies indicate that histidines participate in surface binding and that free carboxyl groups and tryptophan side chains are involved in binding of high molecular weight kininogen to other clotting factors.     

Use of chromogenic substrates in the clarification of disorders in the early stages of blood coagulation

The kallikrein specific chromogenic peptide substrates S-2302 (KABI) and Chromozym PK (Boehringer) were used in the first analysis of a familial defect in the early stage of clotting. Slight to extensive prolongation of the activated partial thromboplastin time was seen in the affected persons. Using dextransulfate for activation of plasma marked deficiency in kallikrein activity was found in 3 persons. Using factor XIIa (activated Hageman factor) for activation normal prekallikrein levels were found in 2 of them whereas factor XII levels, however, were below normal. The third had a prekallikrein deficiency presumably caused by oral contraceptives. In a fourth member of the family factor XII deficiency was found with normal kallikrein activity. The application of chromogenic peptide substrates for analysing the early stage of clotting has to take into account the special mechanisms of activation.     

Protein-protein interactions in contact activation of blood coagulation. Binding of high molecular weight kininogen and the 5-(iodoacetamido) fluorescein-labeled kininogen light chain to prekallikrein, kallikrein, and the separated kallikrein heavy and light chains

Binding of the 5-(iodoacetamido)fluorescein (IAF)-labeled high molecular weight (HMW) kininogen light chain to prekallikrein and D-Phe-Phe-Arg-CH2Cl-inactivated kallikrein was monitored by a 0.040 +/- 0.002 increase in fluorescence anisotropy. Indistinguishable average dissociation constants and stoichiometries of 14 +/- 3 nM and 1.1 +/- 0.1 mol of prekallikrein/mol of IAF-light chain and 17 +/- 3 nM and 0.9 +/- 0.1 mol of kallikrein/mol of IAF-light chain were determined for these interactions at pH 7.4, mu 0.14 and 22 degrees C. Prekallikrein which had been reduced and alkylated in 6 M guanidine HCl lost the ability to increase the fluorescence anisotropy of the IAF-kininogen light chain, suggesting that the native tertiary structure was required for tight binding. The kallikrein heavy and light chains were separated on the basis of the affinity of the heavy chain for HMW-kininogen-Sepharose, after mild reduction and alkylation of kallikrein under nondenaturing conditions. Under these conditions, alkylation with iodo [14C]acetamide demonstrated that only limited chemical modification had occurred. Binding of the IAF-kininogen light chain to the isolated alkylated kallikrein heavy chain, when compared to prekallikrein and kallikrein, was characterized by an indistinguishable increase in fluorescence anisotropy, average dissociation constant of 14 +/- 3 nM, and stoichiometry of 1.2 +/- 0.1 mol of kallikrein heavy chain/mol of IAF-light chain. In contrast, no binding of the D-Phe-Phe-Arg-CH2Cl-inactivated kallikrein light chain was detected at concentrations up to 500 nM. Furthermore, 300 nM kallikrein light chain did not affect IAF-kininogen light chain binding to prekallikrein, kallikrein, or the kallikrein heavy chain. The binding of monomeric single chain HMW-kininogen to prekallikrein, kallikrein, and the kallikrein heavy and light chains was studied using the IAF-kininogen light chain as a probe. Analysis of the competitive binding of HMW-kininogen gave average dissociation constants and stoichiometries of 12 +/- 2 nM and 1.2 +/- 0.1 mol of prekallikrein/mol of HMW-kininogen, 15 +/- 2 nM and 1.3 +/- 0.1 mol of kallikrein/mol of HMW-kininogen, 14 +/- 3 nM and 1.4 +/- 0.2 mol of kallikrein heavy chain/mol of HMW-kininogen, and no detectable effect of 300 nM kallikrein light chain on these interactions. We conclude that a specific, nonenzymatic interaction between sites located exclusively on the light chain of HMW-kininogen and the heavy chain of kallikrein or prekallikrein is responsible for the formation of 1:1 noncovalent complexes between these proteins.     

Human plasma prekallikrein, a zymogen to a serine protease that contains four tandem repeats

The amino acid sequence of human plasma prekallikrein was determined by a combination of automated Edman degradation and cDNA sequencing techniques. Human plasma prekallikrein was fragmented with cyanogen bromide, and 13 homogeneous peptides were isolated and sequenced. Cyanogen bromide peptides containing carbohydrate were further digested with trypsin, and the peptides containing carbohydrate were isolated and sequenced. Five asparagine-linked carbohydrate attachment sites were identified. The sequence determined by Edman degradation was aligned with the amino acid sequence predicted from cDNAs isolated from a lambda gt11 expression library. This library contained cDNA inserts prepared from human liver poly(A) RNA. Analysis of the cDNA indicated that human plasma prekallikrein is synthesized as a precursor with a signal peptide of 19 amino acids. The mature form of the protein that circulates in blood is a single-chain polypeptide of 619 amino acids. Plasma prekallikrein is converted to plasma kallikrein by factor XIIa by the cleavage of an internal Arg-Ile bond. Plasma kallikrein is composed of a heavy chain (371 amino acids) and a light chain (248 amino acids), and these 2 chains are held together by a disulfide bond. The heavy chain of plasma kallikrein originates from the amino-terminal end of the zymogen and is composed of 4 tandem repeats that are 90 or 91 amino acid residues in length. These repeat sequences are also homologous to those in human factor XI. The light chain of plasma kallikrein contains the catalytic portion of the enzyme and is homologous to the trypsin family of serine proteases.     

Identification and chemical synthesis of a substrate-binding site for factor IX on coagulation factor XIa.

We have previously used monoclonal antibodies to identify an epitope on the heavy chain of factor XIa that is a substrate-binding site for factor IX (Sinha, D., Seaman, F.S., and Walsh, P.N. (1987) Biochemistry 26, 3768-3775; Baglia, F.A., Sinha, D., and Walsh, P.N. (1989) Blood 74, 244-251). To define the factor XIa domain that binds factor IX, we have now screened a panel of factor XI heavy chain-derived synthetic peptides for their capacity to inhibit the formation of an activation peptide reflecting factor IX activation by factor XIa. Peptide Asn145-Ala176 (which is located in the second tandem repeat or A2 domain of the factor XI heavy chain) is a competitive inhibitor of factor IX activation by factor XIa with a Ki of 30 nM, whereas structurally similar peptides in the A1, A3, and A4 domains were required at 10-1000-fold higher concentrations for similar effects, and a synthetic peptide identical with a highly homologous region of the heavy chain A2 domain of prekallikrein (Tyr143-Ala176) had no effect on factor IX activation by factor XIa. Because detailed structural information is lacking, a potential three-dimensional structure for the factor XI A2 domain was calculated based on its sequence information in conjunction with previously determined structural constraints. The resulting structure depicted three juxtaposed beta-stranded stem-loops that, based on biological information, constitute a candidate surface for contact with factor IX. The A2 model was therefore used as a template in the rational design of three synthetic peptides (Ala134-Ile146 (peptide a), Leu148-Arg159 (peptide b), and Ile160-Leu172 (peptide c]. When peptides a and b or a and c were added together and the activation of factor IX by factor XIa was examined, a synergistic inhibitory effect was observed, compared with each peptide added individually, whereas peptides b and c showed additive effects. Our data suggest that the sequence of amino acids from Ala134 through Leu172 of the heavy chain of factor XI contains three antiparallel beta-strands connected by beta-turns that together comprise a continuous surface utilized for the binding of factor IX.     

Assembly of human contact phase proteins and release of bradykinin at the surface of curli-expressing Escherichia coli

Previous work has demonstrated that most strains of the human pathogen Streptococcus pyogenes bind kininogens through M protein, a fibrous surface protein and virulence determinant. Here we find that strains of several other pathogenic bacterial species, both Gram-positive and Gram-negative, isolated from patients with sepsis, also bind kininogens, especially H-kininogen (HK). The most pronounced interaction was seen between HK and Escherichia coli. Among clinical isolates of E. coli, the majority of the entero-haemorrhagic, enterotoxigenic, and sepsis strains, but none of the enteroinvasive and enteropathogenic strains, bound HK. Binding of HK to E. coli correlated with the expression of curli, another fibrous bacterial surface protein, and the binding of HK to purified curli was specific, saturable, and of high affinity; Ka = 9 107M-1. Other contact phase proteins such as factor XI, factor XII, and prekallikrein bound to curliated E. coli, but not to an isogenic curli-deficient mutant strain, suggesting that contact phase activation may occur at the surface of curliated bacteria. Kininogens are also precursor molecules of the vasoactive kinins. When incubated with human plasma, curli-expressing bacteria absorbed HK. Addition of purified plasma kallikrein to the HK-loaded bacteria resulted in a rapid and efficient release of bradykinin from surface-bound HK. The assembly of contact phase factors at the surface of pathogenic bacteria and the release of the potent proinflammatory and vasoactive peptide bradykinin, should have a major impact on the host-microbe relationship and may contribute to bacterial pathogencity and virulence.     

A monoclonal antibody recognizing an icosapeptide sequence in the heavy chain of human factor XII inhibits surface-catalyzed activation

A monoclonal antibody (mAb B7C9) to human factor XII was raised in murine somatic cell using purified factor XII antigen. The purified antibody was subtyped IgG1 kappa and had a KD of 9.8 nM for antigen factor XII. Functional studies indicated that mAb B7C9 blocks surface-mediated coagulant activity of factor XII but not the amidolytic activity of factor XIIa against the small substrate H-D-Pro-Phe-Arg-p-nitroanilide (S-2302), suggesting that the mAb B7C9 epitope is located at or near the surface binding domain of the heavy chain region of factor XII. Western blot analysis indicated that the antibody reacts with factor XII and the heavy chain of factor XIIa. Affinity isolation of factor XII peptides, produced after cleavage by kallikrein, resulted in three factor XII heavy chain domain segments that were identified in the known factor XII sequence by limited N-terminal analysis. The epitope was located to a 20-amino acid sequence of 2.5 kDa in the heavy chain of factor XII which is the putative surface binding region of factor XII. The 2.5-kDa peptide was synthesized and demonstrated to react with mAb B7C9. mAb B7C9 was immobilized on an affinity resin and was successfully utilized to purify functionally active factor XII from plasma.     

Isolation and characterization of bovine plasma prekallikrein (Fletcher factor)

Prekallikrein (Fletcher factor) has been purified from bovine plasma approximately 25 000-fold with an overall yield of 14%. Purification steps included ammonium sulfate fractionation and column chromatography on heparin-agarose, DEAE-Sephadex, CM-Sephadex, benzamidine-agarose, and arginine methyl ester-agarose. The purified protein was homogeneous as judged by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and amino-terminal sequence analysis. Bovine plasma prekallikrein is a glycoprotein with a molecular weight of 82 000 as determined by sedimentation equilibrium centrifugation. It contains 12.9% carbohydrate, including 6.2% hexose, 4.5% N-acetylglucosamine, and 2.2% N-acetylneuraminic acid. Prekallikrein is a single polypeptide chain with an amino-terminal sequence of Gly-Cys-Leu-Thr-Gln-Leu-Tyr-His-Asn-Ile-Phe-Phe-Arg-Gly-Gly. This sequence is homologous to the amino-terminal sequence of human factor XI (plasma thromboplastin antecedent). Both prekallikrein and kallikrein require kaolin to correct Fletcher factor deficient plasma. Kallikrein, however, has a specific activity 3.5 times greater than prekallikrein. Prekallikrein does not correct plasma deficient in factor XII (Hageman factor), factor XI, or high molecular weight kininogen (Fitzgerald factor).