Unsuitability of laser nephelometer in the evaluation of factor VIII antigen

We developed assays for the measurement of Factor VIII in a Laser Nephelometer and the results were compared with those obtained by conventional immunological methods. Marked discrepancies were obtained using different antisera and only the Dako antiserum lot 42 B yielded satisfactory results. Other antisera used (other lots of Dako antiserum, Behringwerke antiserum and Immunoscientific antiserum) failed to yield satisfactory results. From our data it seems that Laser Nephelometer has no role in the evaluation of Factor VIII complex. Statements to the contrary have to be accepted with great caution.     

Exosite-mediated substrate recognition of factor IX by factor XIa. The factor XIa heavy chain is required for initial recognition of factor IX

Studies of the mechanisms of blood coagulation zymogen activation demonstrate that exosites (sites on the activating complex distinct from the protease active site) play key roles in macromolecular substrate recognition. We investigated the importance of exosite interactions in recognition of factor IX by the protease factor XIa. Factor XIa cleavage of the tripeptide substrate S2366 was inhibited by the active site inhibitors p-aminobenzamidine (Ki 28 +/- 2 microM) and aprotinin (Ki 1.13 +/- 0.07 microM) in a classical competitive manner, indicating that substrate and inhibitor binding to the active site was mutually exclusive. In contrast, inhibition of factor XIa cleavage of S2366 by factor IX (Ki 224 +/- 32 nM) was characterized by hyperbolic mixed-type inhibition, indicating that factor IX binds to free and S2366-bound factor XIa at exosites. Consistent with this premise, inhibition of factor XIa activation of factor IX by aprotinin (Ki 0.89 +/- 0.52 microM) was non-competitive, whereas inhibition by active site-inhibited factor IXa beta was competitive (Ki 0.33 +/- 0.05 microM). S2366 cleavage by isolated factor XIa catalytic domain was competitively inhibited by p-aminobenzamidine (Ki 38 +/- 14 microM) but was not inhibited by factor IX, consistent with loss of factor IX-binding exosites on the non-catalytic factor XI heavy chain. The results support a model in which factor IX binds initially to exosites on the factor XIa heavy chain, followed by interaction at the active site with subsequent bond cleavage, and support a growing body of evidence that exosite interactions are critical determinants of substrate affinity and specificity in blood coagulation reactions.     

An RNA aptamer that discriminates bovine factor IX from human factor IX

An RNA aptamer has been selected by SELEX against bovine factor IX using an RNA pool containing 74-nucleotides randomized region. Selected RNA aptamer (Clone 5) could discriminate bovine factor IX effectively from human factor IX. Interestingly, the nucleotide regions 73-78 and 80-83 of the selected aptamer were determined to be important for bovine factor IX-binding using phosphate interference. Based on phosphate interference and binding studies the minimal motif for aptamer with discriminating ability is found with the nucleotide regions from 65 to 106. The discriminating ability of this mini aptamer is calculated as more than 1,000 fold. The equilibrium dissociation constant (K(d)) for the above complex was 10 nM as determined by surface plasmon resonance. Based on the available structural informations, probable binding site of aptamer on the target was predicted.     

The factor IX phospholipid-binding site is required for calcium-dependent activation of factor IX by factor XIa

To determine the functional role of the metal-dependent conformational changes in Factor IX, two populations of conformation-specific anti-Factor IX antibodies were prepared. Anti-Factor IX X Mg(II) antibodies bind to Factor IX in the presence of Mg(II) and other metal ions, but not in the absence of metal ions. Anti-Factor IX X Ca(II)-specific antibodies bind to Factor IX in the presence of Ca(II) and Sr(II), but not in the presence of Mn(II), Mg(II), and Ba(II). In the presence of a metal ion that induces the conformational transition recognized by the anti-Factor IX X Mg(II) antibodies, the concentrations of CaCl2 and SrCl2 needed for the half-maximal binding of the anti-Factor IX X Ca(II)-specific antibodies to Factor IX were reduced 3- and 20-fold, respectively. Factor IX binding to phospholipid vesicles was inhibited by the Fab fragments of the anti-Factor IX X Ca(II)-specific antibodies, but was not inhibited by the Fab fragments of the anti-Factor IX X Mg(II) antibodies. Factor XIa activation of Factor IX was also inhibited by the Fab fragments of the anti-Factor IX X Ca(II)-specific antibodies, but not by the anti-Factor IX X Mg(II) antibodies. These results support the hypothesis that Factor IX undergoes two metal-dependent conformational transitions: FIX----FIX'----FIX*. The first transition (FIX----FIX') is metal-dependent but cation-nonselective; the second transition (FIX'----FIX*) is metal-selective for Ca(II) or Sr(II). The second transition results in the expression of conformational determinants necessary for membrane binding and the Ca(II)-dependent activation of Factor IX by Factor XIa. These results suggest chemical similarity between a surface of a domain of Factor XIa and phospholipid vesicles, both of which interact with Factor IX in the presence of Ca(II).     

Effects of gamma-carboxyglutamic acid and epidermal growth factor-like modules of factor IX on factor X activation. Studies using proteolytic fragments of bovine factor IX.

Factor IX is a vitamin K-dependent zymogen of a serine protease. The NH2-terminal half of the molecule consists of a Ca(2+)-binding gamma-carboxyglutamic acid (Gla)-containing module and two modules homologous to the epidermal growth factor (EGF) precursor. To elucidate the role of these non-catalytic modules of factor IXa beta in factor X activation, we have isolated and characterized fragments of bovine factor IX, containing one or both of the EGF-like modules as well as these modules linked to the Gla module. The fragments were used as inhibitors of factor IXa beta-mediated factor X activation in a plasma clotting system and in systems with purified components of the Xase complex. Fragments consisting of either the two EGF-like modules of factor IX linked together or the NH2-terminal EGF-like module alone were found to inhibit factor Xa generation both in the presence and absence of the cofactor, factor VIIIa. Moreover, a fragment consisting of the corresponding modules of factor X had a similar effect. We therefore propose that factor IXa beta and factor X interact directly through their EGF-like modules on or in the vicinity of a phospholipid surface. We have also found that the isolated Gla module of factor IX inhibits the formation of factor Xa both in the presence and absence of phospholipid but not in the absence of factor VIIIa. Our results are compatible with a model of the Xase complex, in which both the serine protease part and the Gla module of factor IXa beta interact with factor VIIIa.     

Zymogen factor IX potentiates factor IXa-catalyzed factor X activation

Intrinsic factor X activation is accelerated >10(7)-fold by assembly of the entire complex on the activated platelet surface. We have now observed that increasing the concentration of zymogen factor IX to physiologic levels ( approximately 100 nM) potentiates factor IXa-catalyzed activation of factor X on both activated platelets and on negatively charged phospholipid vesicles. In the presence and absence of factor VIIIa, factor IX (100 nM) lowered the K(d,appFIXa) approximately 4-fold on platelets and 2-10-fold on lipid vesicles. Treatment of two factor IX preparations with active-site inhibitors did not affect these observations. Autoradiographs of PAGE-separated reactions containing either (125)I-labeled factor IX or (125)I-labeled factor X showed that the increased factor X activation was not due to factor Xa-mediated feedback activation of factor IX and that there was increased cleavage of factor X heavy chain in the presence of factor IX in comparison with control reactions but only in the presence of both the enzyme and the surface. Since plasma concentrations of prothrombin, factor VII, protein C, or protein S did not by themselves potentiate factor Xa generation and did not interfere with the potentiation of the reaction of factor IX, the effect is specific for factor IX and is not attributable to the Gla domain of all vitamin K-dependent proteins. These observations indicate that under physiologic conditions, plasma levels of the zymogen factor IX specifically increase the affinity of factor IXa for the intrinsic factor X activation complex.     

The factor IX gamma-carboxyglutamic acid (Gla) domain is involved in interactions between factor IX and factor XIa

During hemostasis, factor IX is activated to factor IXabeta by factor VIIa and factor XIa. The glutamic acid-rich gamma-carboxyglutamic acid (Gla) domain of factor IX is involved in phospholipid binding and is required for activation by factor VIIa. In contrast, activation by factor XIa is not phospholipid-dependent, raising questions about the importance of the Gla for this reaction. We examined binding of factors IX and IXabeta to factor XIa by surface plasmon resonance. Plasma factors IX and IXabeta bind to factor XIa with K(d) values of 120 +/- 11 nm and 110 +/- 8 nm, respectively. Recombinant factor IX bound to factor XIa with a K(d) of 107 nm, whereas factor IX with a factor VII Gla domain (rFIX/VII-Gla) and factor IX expressed in the presence of warfarin (rFIX-desgamma) did not bind. An anti-factor IX Gla monoclonal antibody was a potent inhibitor of factor IX binding to factor XIa (K(i) 34 nm) and activation by factor XIa (K(i) 33 nm). In activated partial thromboplastin time clotting assays, the specific activities of plasma and recombinant factor IX were comparable (200 and 150 units/mg), whereas rFIX/VII-Gla activity was low (<2 units/mg). In contrast, recombinant factor IXabeta and activated rFIX/VIIa-Gla had similar activities (80 and 60% of plasma factor IXabeta), indicating that both proteases activate factor X and that the poor activity of zymogen rFIX/VII-Gla was caused by a specific defect in activation by factor XIa. The data demonstrate that factor XIa binds with comparable affinity to factors IX and IXabeta and that the interactions are dependent on the factor IX Gla domain.     

The N-terminal epidermal growth factor-like domain of coagulation factor IX. Probing its functions in the activation of factor IX and factor X with a monoclonal antibody

The absence or reduced activity of coagulation factor IX (FIX) causes the severe bleeding disorder hemophilia B. FIX contains an N-terminal Gla domain followed by two epidermal growth factor-like (EGF) domains and a serine protease domain. In this study, the epitope of monoclonal antibody AW, which is directed against the C-terminal part of the first EGF domain in human FIX, was defined, and the antibody was used to study interactions between the EGF domain of FIX and other coagulation proteins. Antibody AW completely blocks activation of FIX by activated factor XI, but activation by activated factor FVII-tissue factor is inhibited only slightly. The antibody also causes a marginal reduction in the apparent k(cat) for factor X both in the presence and absence of activated factor VIII. Based on these results, we produced a preliminary model of the structure of the activated factor IX-activated factor VIII-AW complex on the surface of phospholipid. The model suggests that in the Xase complex, EGF1 of activated factor IX is not involved in direct binding to activated factor VIII. Studies of the interaction of antibody AW with a mutated FIX molecule (R94D) also suggest that the Glu(78)-Arg(94) salt bridge is not important for maintaining the structure of FIX.     

Expression and characterization of human factor IX. Factor IXthr-397 and factor IXval-397

Factor IXLong Beach has a single amino acid substitution at 397 (Ile to Thr) in the catalytic domain which results in severe hemophilia B. Recent investigations have shown that the substitution of threonine for isoleucine at 397 may affect a part of the macromolecular substrate binding site. Because threonine has a hydroxyl group in its side chain, it is possible that this hydroxyl group makes new hydrogen bonds and disturbs the substrate binding site. We used three techniques: molecular biology, which includes site-directed mutagenesis and recombinant protein expression in tissue culture; computer-aided kinetic data analysis; and molecular modeling to study this mutation site. We have produced two mutant factor IX molecules that have isoleucine 397 replaced by valine or threonine. Factor IXwild type and the two mutants (factor IXVal and factor IXThr) were expressed in human kidney cells and purified using a conformation-specific monoclonal antibody column. After the activation by factor XIa, these three molecules were able to bind p-aminobenzamidine and increase its fluorescence intensity in a similar manner. Factor IXVal and factor IXwild type had indistinguishable activities in an activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) assay and similar kinetic parameters with factor X as a substrate. Factor IXThr had only 5% clotting activity compared with normal factor IX, a slightly lower Km and significantly reduced kcat, using factor X as a substrate. We developed energy-refined (AMBER v.3.1) computer models of the three factor IX molecules based on previous work. Three factor IXa models (Ile, Val, or Thr at 397) with a fragment of the factor X activation site were used to predict the effect of the mutation at 397 and evaluate the significance of the new hydrogen bond thought to form between the side chain hydroxyl group of threonine 397 and the carbonyl oxygen of tryptophan 385. This new hydrogen bond would affect the position of an amide proton of adjacent glycine 386 which has been proposed to make a hydrogen bond with a backbone carbonyl oxygen of the P3 residue of factor X. In addition to the new hydrogen bond, there is significant movement in the side chain of tryptophan 385 between the factor IXawild type-factor X model and the factor IXaThr-factor X model that could interfere with substrate binding. This movement could be caused by the change in the molecular volume, the orientation of the side chain at 397, and the new hydrogen bond.     

Population genetics of the Malm? polymorphism of coagulation factor IX.

The distribution of 1,198 Malm? alleles was examined in 822 men from 16 indigenous populations and 188 women from 7 of the ethnic groups. Subjects were from several European countries, the Mediterranean, East Asia, and the USA (Anglo- and African-Americans). The frequencies of the rarer (Malm? B) allele were approximately equal across Europe, the highest frequencies (0.36) being in the French and Anglo-Americans; no population was observed with clearly the highest frequency. They diminished slightly at moderate distances from Europe (Tunisia, Ethiopia) and greatly at longer distances (East Asia and West Africa). In Orientals, the frequencies ranged from 0.07 (East Indians) to 0.03 (the Chinese) and from 0.0 to 0.15 in African-Americans. Assuming selective neutrality, the data are consistent with the European origin of the 'B' allele when the population was small and outward spread.     

Coumarin-induced abnormal factor IX: an immunological study in humans.

An excess of factor IX antigen or protein with respect to factor IX activity is present in coumarin treated patients. The average factor IX antigen value found in a group of 16 patients was 96.2 (S.D. = 24.46) whereas the average clotting activity was 19 (S.D. = 4.54) (p less than 0.001). In the electroimmunoassay system a normal peak or precipitate were seen in every instance. In haemophilia B--no peak or precipitate were seen. The coumarin induced abnormal factor IX shows a more anodic migration in the bidimensional immunoelectrophoresis system as compared with the normal counterpart. On the contrary, the factor IX protein present in haemophilia BM or in haemophilie B+ migrates as normal factor IX.     

Skeletal muscle-specific expression of human blood coagulation factor IX rescues factor IX deficiency mouse by AAV-mediated gene transfer

The efficacy of recombinant adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector to deliver and express human blood clotting factor IX (hFIX) gene in skeletal muscle of coagulation factor IX deficiency mouse strain (FactorIX-knockout) is evaluated. The muscle creatine kinase enhancer (MCK) and β-actin promoter (βA) were used to drive the hFIX minigene (hFIXml), which was flanked by AAV inverted terminal repeats (ITRs). Following intramuscular injection of high titer (2.5 × 10¹¹ vector genomes/mL) of rAAV, increased hFIX expression (256 ng/mL of plasma) was achieved. The time course of hFIX expression demonstrated that the expression level gradually increased over a period of two weeks before anti-hFIX antibodies developed in mouse circulating plasma. Those results provided a promising evidence that rAAV-mediated gene transfer and skeletal muscle-specific expression of hFIX is a feasible strategy for treating patients for hemophilia B.     

Skeletal muscle-specific expression of human blood coagulation factor Ⅸ rescues factor Ⅸ deficiency mouse by AAV-mediated gene transfer

The efficacy of recombinant adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector to deliver and express human blood clotting factor DC (hFIX) gene in skeletal muscle of coagulation factor IX deficiency mouse strain (FactorIX-knockout) is e-valuated. The muscle creatine kinase enhancer (MCK) and βactin promoter ((3A) were used to drive the hFIX minigene (hFIXml), which was flanked by AAV inverted terminal repeats (ITRs). Following intramuscular injection of high liter (2.5 x 1011 vector genomes/mL) of AAV, increased hFIX expression (256 ng/mL of plasma) was achieved. The time course of hFIX expression demonstrated that the expression level gradually increased over a period of two weeks before anti-hFIX antibodies developed in mouse circulating plasma. Those results provided a promising evidence that rAAV-me-diated gene transfer and skeletal muscle-specific expression of hFIX is a feasible strategy for treating patients for hemophilia B.     

Binding of iron by factor IX. Possible role for beta-hydroxyaspartic acid

In concentrations exceeding 1 mg/ml, bovine factor IX exhibits a pink color that arises from a broad absorption band with a lambda max = 500 nm. Analysis by x-ray fluorescence reveals the presence of iron but no other transition metals in the factor IX preparation. Quantitative analysis by atomic absorption spectroscopy indicates that 1 g atom of iron is bound tightly to 1 mol of factor IX. The iron is removed slowly (t1/2 = 3 h) by EDTA. In contrast, prothrombin binds no detectable iron, and factor X binds less than 0.2 g atom/mol. alpha-Hydroxybutyrate chelates Fe3+ with sufficient stability to preclude formation of [Fe(OH)3]n. It is proposed that factor IX binds iron with physiologically significant affinity and that the beta-hydroxyaspartate residue in factor IX is a chelator for the bound metal.     

A nephelometer for measurement of nematode populations

A nephelometer for measuring nematode populations is described in which a standard 18 mm culture tube is illuminated from below, and four selenium photocells are placed radially at 90° about the tube. This design minimizes fluctuations in readings due to movement of the nematodes at low population densities.