Identification of the site of binding of sulfated, low molecular weight lignins on thrombin

Sulfated, low molecular weight lignins (LMWLs), designed recently as macromolecular mimetics of the low molecular weight heparins (LMWHs), were found to exhibit a novel allosteric mechanism of inhibition of human thrombin, factor Xa and plasmin, which translates into potent human blood anticoagulation potential. To identify the site of binding of sulfated LMWLs, a panel of site-directed thrombin mutants was studied. Substitution of alanine for Arg⁹³ or Arg¹⁷⁵ induced a 7–8-fold decrease in inhibition potency, while Arg¹⁶⁵Ala, Lys¹⁶⁹Ala, Arg¹⁷³Ala and Arg²³³Ala thrombin mutants displayed a 2–4-fold decrease. Other exosite 2 residues including those that play an important role in heparin binding, such as Arg¹⁰¹, Lys²³⁵, Lys²³⁶ and Lys²⁴⁰, did not induce any deficiency in sulfated LMWL activity. Thrombin mutants with multiple alanine substitution of basic residues showed a progressively greater defect in inhibition potency. Comparison of thrombin, factor Xa, factor IXa and factor VIIa primary sequences reiterated Arg⁹³ and Arg¹⁷⁵ as residues likely to be targeted by sulfated LMWLs. The identification of a novel site on thrombin with capability of allosteric modulation is expected to greatly assist the design of new regulators based on the sulfated LMWL scaffold.     

A low molecular weight platelet inhibitor of factor XIa: purification, characterization, and possible role in blood coagulation.

A low molecular weight platelet inhibitor of factor XIa (PIXI) has been purified 250-fold from releasates of washed and stimulated human platelets. Molecular weight estimates of 8400 and 8500 were determined by gel filtration and SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, respectively, although a second band of Mr 5000 was present upon electrophoresis. The inhibitor does not appear to be one of the platelet-specific, heparin-binding proteins, since it neither bound to nor was affected by heparin. An amount of PIXI which inhibited by 50% factor XIa cleavage of the chromogenic substrate S2366 (Pyr-Glu-Pro-Arg-pNA-2H2O) only slightly inhibited (5-9%) factor XIIa, plasma kallikrein, plasmin, and activated protein C and did not inhibit factor Xa, thrombin, tPA, or trypsin, suggesting specificity for factor XIa. Kinetic analyses of the effect of PIXI on factor XIa activity demonstrated mixed-type, noncompetitive inhibition of S2366 cleavage and of factor IX activation with Ki's of 7 x 10(-8) and 3.8 x 10(-9) M, respectively. Immunoblot analysis showed that PIXI is not the inhibitory domain of protease nexin II, a potent inhibitor of factor XIa also secreted from platelets. Amino acid analysis showed that PIXI has no cysteine residues and, therefore, is not a Kunitz-type inhibitor. PIXI can prevent stable complex formation between alpha 1-protease inhibitor and factor XIa light chain as demonstrated by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The inhibition by PIXI of factor XIa-catalyzed activation of factor IX and its capacity to prevent factor XIa inactivation by alpha 1-protease inhibitor, combined with the specificity of PIXI for factor XIa among serine proteases found in blood, suggest a role for PIXI in the regulation of intrinsic coagulation.     

A simple,general approach of allosteric coagulation enzyme inhibition through monosulfated hydrophobic scaffolds

Allosteric inhibition of coagulation enzymes offers the advantage of controlled inhibition. In this study, a small library of mono sulfated indole and benzothiazole based molecules was synthesized and screened against the panel of coagulation proteases. The results reveal that selected molecules inhibit the thrombin, factor Xa and factor XIa with moderate potency. Compound 6a was found to have an allosteric mode of inhibition against thrombin. Plasma clotting assays suggest that selected inhibitors 14b, 14c and 14d prolong both prothrombin and activated partial thromboplastin time. Overall, this work presents the newer class of allosteric inhibitors of thrombin and factor XIa with improved aqueous solubility profile.     

The molecular-weight dependence of the rate-enhancing effect of heparin on the inhibition of thrombin, factor Xa, factor IXa, factor XIa, factor XIIa and kallikrein by antithrombin.

Heparin fractions of different molecular weight and with high affinity for antithrombin were studied with respect to their ability to potentiate the inhibition of activated clotting factors by antithrombin. Inhibition of thrombin, Factor IXa and Factor XIa showed similarities in the dependence on the molecular weight of heparin and was found to decrease with decreasing molecular weight. Inactivation of Factor Xa, Factor XIIa and kallikrein was, however, less dependent on the size of the polysaccharide and, to a great extent, was potentiated even by low-molecular-weight heparin fractions that had virtually no effect on the inhibition of thrombin, Factor IXa and Factor XIa.     

Human factor XIa cleaves fibrinogen: effects on structure and function

Factor XIa, the enzymatic form of the factor XI zymogen, is generated as a result of factor XII-dependent surface activation in plasma. Factor XIa degrades high molecular weight kininogen, its cofactor for activation (which binds factor XIa to the surface), as well as cleaves and activates coagulation factor IX. In this report, we present evidence that factor XIa can also cleave fibrinogen and decrease the thrombin-catalyzed formation of the fibrin clot. Furthermore, the products of factor XIa-digested fibrinogen markedly inhibited the rate of polymerization of fibrin monomers. Factor XIa initially cleaved the A alpha-chain of fibrinogen and subsequently degraded the B beta-chain. However, the cleavage sites on both chains were distinct from those susceptible to thrombin. The gamma-chain was degraded only after prolonged incubation with factor XIa. Furthermore, the profile of fibrinogen proteolysis by factor XIa was distinctly different from that of plasmin-catalyzed fibrinogenolysis. Unlike plasmin, factor XIa was not able to cleave the NH2-terminus of the B beta-chain of fibrinogen. Moreover, factor XIa, unlike plasmin, failed to hydrolyze fibrin. Further study of the proteolytic digests of fibrinogen produced by factor XIa may give additional insight into the mechanism of polymerization of this protein.     

Role of charged groups in factor XI/XIa activity

To elucidate the role of charged groups in expression of factor XI coagulant activity, the charged groups of purified human blood coagulation factor XI/XIa containing 125I-XI/XIa were derivatized: free amino groups by succinylation, guanido groups of arginine by reaction with phenylglyoxal hydrate, and free carboxyl groups by reaction with ethylenediamine. The modified proteins were tested for: 1) ability to adsorb to glass, 2) ability to be cleaved by trypsin or factor XII-high molecular weight kininogen, 3) coagulant activity. The amino group-modified factor XI had a significantly decreased ability to bind to glass; modification of arginine or carboxyl groups did not affect adsorption. Trypsin cleaved factor XI with modified free amino, guanido, or carboxyl groups. Factor XII-high molecular weight kininogen could cleave only the arginine-modified factor XI. Amino group-modified factor XI and carboxyl group-modified factor XI lost all their factor XI assay activity, whereas arginine-modified factor XI retained 50% of the original activity. Amino group-modified factor XI could not be activated by trypsin, but arginine-modified and carboxyl group-modified factor XI could be activated by trypsin to 50% of the original activity. Succinylation of the amino groups of factor XIa destroyed all its factor XIa activity. Arginine-modified and carboxyl group-modified factor XIa retained 50% of their factor XIa activity. We conclude that epsilon-amino groups are essential for adsorption; activation by factor XII-high molecular weight kininogen requires free amino and carboxyl but not guanido groups; free amino, carboxyl, and guanido groups in factor XIa all appear to be critical for interaction of factor XIa with factor IX.     

Relevance of molecular weight of chitosan and its derivatives and their antioxidant activities in vitro

The antioxidant potency of different molecular weight (DMW) chitosan and sulfated chitosan derivatives was investigated employing various established in vitro systems, such as superoxide (O(2)(.-))/hydroxyl ((-.)OH) radicals scavenging, reducing power, iron ion chelating. As expected, we obtained several satisfying results, as follows: firstly, low molecular weight chitosan had stronger scavenging effect on O(2)(.-) and (-.)OH than high molecular weight chitosan. For example the O(2)(.-) scavenging activity of low molecular weight chitosan (9 kDa) and high molecular weight chitosan (760 kDa) were 85.86% and 35.50% at 1.6 mg/mL, respectively. Secondly, comparing with DMW chitosan, DMW sulfated chitosans had the stronger inhibition effect on O(2)(.-). At 0.05 mg/mL, the scavenging activity on O(2)(.-) reached 86.26% for low molecular weight chitosan sulfate (9 kDa), but that of low molecular weight chitosan (9 kDa) was 85.86% at 1.6 mg/mL. As concerning chitosan and sulfated chitosan of the same molecular weight, scavenging activities of sulfated chitosan on superoxide and hydroxyl radicals were more pronounced than that of chitosan. Thirdly, low molecular weight chitosan sulfate had more effective scavenging activity on O(2)(.-) and (-.)OH than that of high molecular weight chitosan sulfate. Fourthly, DMW chitosans and sulfated chitosans were efficient in the reducing power, especially LCTS. Their orders were found to be LCTS>CTS4>HCTS>CTS3>CTS2>CTS1>CTS. Fifthly, CTS4 showed more considerable ferrous ion-chelating potency than others. Finally, the scavenging rate and reducing power of DMW chitosan and sulfated derivatives increased with their increasing concentration. Moreover, change of DMW sulfated chitosans was the most pronounced within the experimental concentration. However, chelating effect of DMW chitosans were not concentration dependent except for CTS4 and CTS1.     

Inhibition of autonomous human keratinocyte proliferation and amphiregulin mitogenic activity by sulfated polysaccharides

Summary We previously demonstrated that human keratinocyte cultures proliferate in the absence of polypeptide growth factors (autonomous growth) and that this autonomous growth is blocked by interaction of heparin with a human keratinocyte-derived autocrine factor (KAF) which we identified as amphiregulin (AR). In the present study, we demonstrate that sulfated polysaccharides other than heparin (low and high molecular weight dextran sulfates) also inhibit the AR-mediated autonomous proliferation of human keratinocytes. Furthermore, sulfated polysaccharides such as high and low molecular weight dextran sulfates, heparan sulfate and, to a lesser extent, chondroitin sulfates B and C were also shown to be inhibitors of human keratinocyte-derived AR (k-d AR)-stimulated DNA synthesis in quiescent murine AKR-2B cell cultures. Our results demonstrate that sulfation of polysaccharides is required for AR inhibitory activity, and that several sulfated polysaccharides (other than heparin) can act as inhibitors of AR-mediated autonomous proliferation in human epidermal keratinocytes and as inhibitors of k-d AR-mediated mitogenic activity in AKR-2B cells.     

Localization of a heparin binding site in the catalytic domain of factor XIa.

Inhibition of factor XIa by protease nexin II (K(i) approximately 450 pM) is potentiated by heparin (K(I) approximately 30 pM). The inhibition of the isolated catalytic domain of factor XIa demonstrates a similar potentiation by heparin (K(i) decreasing from 436 +/- 62 to 88 +/- 10 pM) and also binds to heparin on surface plasmon resonance (K(d) 11.2 +/- 3.2 nM vs K(d) 8.63 +/- 1.06 nM for factor XIa). The factor XIa catalytic domain contains a cysteine-constrained alpha-helix-containing loop: (527)CQKRYRGHKITHKMIC(542), identified as a heparin-binding region in other coagulation proteins. Heparin-binding studies of coagulation proteases allowed a grouping of these proteins into three categories: group A (binding within a cysteine-constrained loop or a C-terminal heparin-binding region), factors XIa, IXa, Xa, and thrombin; group B (binding by a different mechanism), factor XIIa and activated protein C; and group C (no binding), factor VIIa and kallikrein. Synthesized peptides representative of the factor XIa catalytic domain loop were used as competitors in factor XIa binding and inhibition studies. A native sequence peptide binds to heparin with a K(d) = 86 +/- 15 nM and competes with factor XIa in binding to heparin, K(i) = 241 +/- 37 nM. A peptide with alanine substitutions at (534)H, (535)K, (538)H, and (539)K binds and competes with factor XIa for heparin-binding in a manner nearly identical to that of the native peptide, whereas a scrambled peptide is approximately 10-fold less effective, and alanine substitutions at residues (529)K, (530)R, and (532)R result in loss of virtually all activity. We conclude that residues (529)K, (530)R, and (532)R comprise a high-affinity heparin-binding site in the factor XIa catalytic domain.     

Assembly and expression of an intrinsic factor IX activator complex on the surface of cultured human endothelial cells.

Endothelial cells expose specific receptors for blood clotting factors and, upon perturbation, can initiate and propagate the reactions of the extrinsic pathway of blood coagulation leading to fibrin formation on the cell surface. The existence of an intrinsic mechanism of Factor IX activation on cultured human umbilical vein cells (HUVECs) was investigated by studies of the interaction between HUVECs and two proteins of the contact activation system, the cofactor high molecular weight kininogen (H-kininogen) and the zymogen Factor XI. In the presence of zinc ions (10-300 microM), 125I-labeled H-kininogen bound to HUVECs in a time-dependent, reversible, and saturable manner, with calcium ions exerting an inhibitory effect on the zinc-dependent binding. Analysis of the binding data by the LIGAND computer program indicated that HUVECs, in the presence of 2 mM CaCl2 and 100 microM ZnCl2 at 37 degrees C, bound 1.14 x 10(7) H-kininogen molecules per cell with an apparent dissociation constant of 55 nM. HUVEC-bound H-kininogen functions as the cell surface receptor for both 125I-labeled Factor XI and 125I-labeled Factor XIa, since HUVECs cultured in contact factor-depleted serum do not detectably bind either the zymogen or the enzyme in the absence of H-kininogen and zinc ions. In the presence of saturating concentrations of H-kininogen, 2 mM CaCl2 and 100 microM ZnCl2, the binding of 125I-labeled Factor XI and Factor XIa to HUVECs was time-dependent, reversible, and saturable, with apparent dissociation constants of 4.5 and 1.5 nM, respectively. HUVEC-bound complexes of H-kininogen and Factor XI generated Factor XIa activity only after the addition of purified Factor XIIa, and cell-bound Factor XIa in turn activated Factor IX, as documented by a 3H-labeled activation peptide release assay for 3H-Factor IX activation. The results indicate that cultured HUVECs provide a surface for the assembly and expression of an intrinsic Factor IX activator complex that may participate in the initiation of blood coagulation at sites of vascular injury.     

Thrombin-mediated feedback activation of factor XI on the activated platelet surface is preferred over contact activation by factor XIIa or factor XIa

To study the pathways for initiation of intrinsic blood coagulation, activated human platelets were compared with dextran sulfate as surfaces for factor XI activation by factor XIIa, factor XIa, or thrombin. Activated gel-filtered platelets promoted the activation of factor XI (60 nm) by thrombin (0.02-10 nm, EC(50) approximately 100 pm, threshold concentration approximately 10 pm) at initial rates 2- to 3-fold greater than those obtained with dextran sulfate in the presence of either high molecular weight kininogen (45 nm) and ZnCl(2) (25 micrometer) or prothrombin (1.2 micrometer) and CaCl(2) (2 mm). The maximum rates of factor XI activation achieved in the presence of activated gel-filtered platelets were 30 nm.min(-1) with thrombin, 6 nm.min(-1) with factor XIIa and 2 nm.min(-1) with factor XIa. Values of turnover number calculated at various enzyme concentrations (0.05-1 nm) were 24-167 (mean = 86) min(-1) for thrombin, 4.6-50 (mean = 21) min(-1) for factor XIIa, and 1.3-14 (mean = 8) min(-1) for factor XIa. A physiological concentration of fibrinogen (9.0 micrometer) inhibited factor XI activation by thrombin (but not by factor XIIa) in the presence of dextran sulfate but not in the presence of gel-filtered platelets. Compared with factors XIIa and XIa, thrombin is the preferred factor XI activator, and activated platelets are a relevant physiological surface for thrombin-mediated initiation of intrinsic coagulation in vivo.     

Cleavage of human high molecular weight kininogen by factor XIa in vitro. Effect on structure and function

We have recently demonstrated that human high molecular weight kininogen (HMWK) is a pro-cofactor that is cleaved by kallikrein to yield a two-chain cofactor (HMWKa) and the nanopeptide bradykinin. This proteolysis enhances its association with an activating surface, an event necessary for expression of its cofactor activity. We now report that factor XIa is capable of hydrolyzing HMWK and releasing bradykinin in a purified system as well as cleaving and inactivating HMWK in a plasma environment during the contact-activation process. The profile of proteolysis differs from that produced by kallikrein and by factor XIIa in that the first cleavage by factor XIa yields 75- and 45-kDa polypeptides, whereas both factor XIIa and kallikrein initially produce 65- and 56-kDa species. Further proteolysis by all three enzymes eventually produces similar heavy chains (Mr = 65,000) and light chains (Mr = 45,000). However, the amount of factor XIa generated in plasma during contact activation further degrades the light chain of HMWK, eventually destroying its coagulant activity. Furthermore, in a purified system, enhancement of the degradation of HMWK coagulant activity by factor XIa was achieved when kallikrein was included in the incubation mixture, suggesting that the preferred substrate for factor XIa is the active form of HMWK (HMWKa), and not the pro-cofactor. These data suggest that factor XIa has the potential to act as a regulator of contact-activated coagulation by virtue of its ability to destroy the cofactor function of HMWK after its generation by either kallikrein, factor XIIa, or to a lesser extent, factor XIa, itself.     

Studies on the effect of serine protease inhibitors on activated contact factors. Application in amidolytic assays for factor XIIa, plasma kallikrein and factor XIa

Amidolytic assays have been developed to determine factor XIIa, factor XIa and plasma kallikrein in mixtures containing variable amounts of each enzyme. The commercially available chromogenic p-nitroanilide substrates Pro-Phe-Arg-NH-Np (S2302 or chromozym PK), Glp-Pro-Arg-NH-Np (S2366), Ile-Glu-(piperidyl)-Gly-Arg-NH-Np (S2337), and Ile-Glu-Gly-Arg-NH-Np (S2222) were tested for their suitability as substrates in these assays. The kinetic parameters for the conversion of S2302, S2222, S2337 and S2366 by beta factor XIIa, factor XIa and plasma kallikrein indicate that each active enzyme exhibits considerable activity towards a number of these substrates. This precludes direct quantification of the individual enzymes when large amounts of other activated contact factors are present. Several serine protease inhibitors have been tested for their ability to inhibit those contact factors selectively that may interfere with the factor tested for. Soybean trypsin inhibitor very efficiently inhibited kallikrein, inhibited factor XIa at moderate concentrations, but did not affect the amidolytic activity of factor XIIa. Therefore, this inhibitor can be used to abolish a kallikrein and factor XIa contribution in a factor XIIa assay. We also report the rate constants of inhibition of contact activation factors by three different chloromethyl ketones. D-Phe-Pro-Arg-CH2Cl was moderately active against contact factors (k = 2.2 X 10(3) M-1 s-1 at pH 8.3) but showed no differences in specifity. D-Phe-Phe-Arg-CH2Cl was a very efficient inhibitor of plasma kallikrein (k = 1.2 X 10(5) M-1 s-1 at pH 8.3) whereas it slowly inhibited factor XIIa (k = 1.4 X 10(3) M-1 s-1) and factor XIa (k = 0.11 X 10(3) M-1 s-1). Also Dns-Glu-Gly-Arg-CH2Cl was more reactive towards kallikrein (k = 1.6 X 10(4) M-1 s-1) than towards factor XIIa (k = 4.6 X 10(2) M-1 s-1) and factor XIa (k = 0.6 X 10(2) M-1 s-1). Since Phe-Phe-Arg-CH2Cl is highly specific for plasma kallikrein it can be used in a factor XIa assay selectively to inhibit kallikrein. Based on the catalytic efficiencies of chromogenic substrate conversion and the inhibition characteristics of serine protease inhibitors and chloromethyl ketones we were able to develop quantitative assays for factor XIIa, factor XIa and kallikrein in mixtures of contact activation factors.     

Sulfated hyaluronan derivatives reduce the proliferation rate of primary rat calvarial osteoblasts

Glycosaminoglycans (GAG) and proteoglycans, which are components of the extracellular bone matrix, are also localized in and at the membrane of osteoblasts and in the pericellular matrix. Due to their interaction with several growth factors, water and cations these molecules play an important role in regulating proliferation and differentiation of osteoblasts and bone development. The aim of this study was to assess in vitro the effects of two chemically sulfated hyaluronan (HyaS) derivatives on the proliferation of rat calvarial osteoblasts and to compare with those of native hyaluronan (Hya) and natural sulfated GAG such as chondroitin-4-sulfate (C4S), chondroitin-6-sulfate (C6S), dermatan sulfate (DS) and heparan sulfate (HS). Moderately and highly sulfated HyaS derivatives caused a time-dependent reduction of osteoblast proliferation. The anti-proliferative effect of HyaS was accompanied by a cell cycle arrest in the G1 phase, but was not associated with cell death. Whereas non-sulfated high molecular weight (HMW)- and low molecular weight (LMW)-Hya as well as C4S, C6S, DS and HS showed no effect on the cell proliferation.     

Degradation of coagulation proteins by an enzyme from Malayan pit viper (Akistrodon rhodostoma) venom

Three hydrolases from the crude venom of the Malayan pit viper (Akistrodon rhodostoma) can be differentiated. The first, which we designate ARH alpha, is the well-known fibrinogenolytic enzyme ancrod. The second, ARH beta, which has not been described previously, is identified by its electrophoretic mobility after sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), by its ability to hydrolyze H-D-phenylalanyl-L-piperyl-L-arginyl-rho-nitroanilide, and by inhibition of its activity by diisopropyl phosphorofluoridate. The third, ARH gamma, also previously not described, has been purified by using gel permeation and ion-exchange chromatography and preparative PAGE. Chemical, electrophoretic, and hydrodynamic data indicate that it is a single-chain, nonglobular glycoprotein with a molecular weight of 25,600. ARH gamma catalyzes the degradation of several plasma vitamin K dependent coagulation factors, including factor IX, factor X, prothrombin, and protein C. The products are electrophoretically similar to factor IXa beta, factor Xa, thrombin, and activated protein C, respectively. However, these products contain little or no enzymatic activity. ARH gamma-degraded factor IX, factor X, prothrombin, and protein C can be subsequently activated by factor XIa, Russell's viper venom X coagulant protein, crude taipan snake venom, and thrombin, respectively. The N-terminal sequence of the peptides resulting from the ARH gamma digest of porcine factor IX shows that at least three bonds are hydrolyzed: (1) at position 152, seven residues from the Arg145-Ala146 factor XIa cleavage site; (2) at position 167 within the factor IX activation peptide; and (3) at position 177, three residues from the Arg180-Val181 factor XIa cleavage site. The degradation of factor IX by ARH gamma is not affected by several serine protease inhibitors. ARH gamma catalyzes the degradation of both the heavy and light chains of porcine factor VIII which results in the inability of thrombin to activate factor VIII. ARH gamma also catalyzes the degradation of porcine antithrombin III which abolishes its ability to inhibit thrombin. These findings may have relevance to studies of hemostatic derangements following envenomation by this snake. Additionally, several novel coagulation factor derivatives have been generated for structure-function studies.     

Functional characterization of human blood coagulation factor XIa using hybridoma antibodies

During the initiation of intrinsic coagulation factors XI and XIa interact intimately with several other coagulation proteins (factor XIIa, high Mr kininogen, and factor IX) as well as with the platelet surface. To help elucidate these complex intramolecular interactions, we have prepared a collection of monoclonal antibodies directed against various epitopes in factor XI. We have utilized these reagents to isolate factor XI and the light chain of factor XIa on affinity columns, and to probe structure-function relationships involved in the interactions of factor XIa with factor IX. The isolated light chain of factor XIa retained greater than 90% of its amidolytic activity against the oligopeptide substrate pyro-Glu-Pro-Arg-pNA (S-2366), but only 3.8% of its clotting activity in a factor XIa assay and 1% of its factor IX activating activity in an activation peptide release assay. This suggests that regions of the heavy chain are required for development of coagulant activity and specifically for the interaction of factor XIa with factor IX. To test this hypothesis, the effects of three of the monoclonal antibodies (5F4, 1F1, and 3C1) on the function of factor XIa were examined. The results show that in a clotting assay the light chain-specific antibody (5F4) inhibits 100% of the factor XIa activity, whereas of the heavy chain-specific antibodies, one (3C1) inhibits 75% and another (1F1) only 17%. Similarly in the factor IX activation peptide release assay, antibody 5F4 inhibits 100% of the factor XIa activity, whereas 3C1 inhibits 75% and 1F1 inhibits 33%. We conclude that regions located in the heavy chain, in addition to those in the light chain, are involved in the interaction of factor XIa with factor IX and in the expression of the coagulant activity of factor XI.     

Heparin is a major activator of the anticoagulant serpin, protein Z-dependent protease inhibitor

Protein Z-dependent protease inhibitor (ZPI) is a recently identified member of the serpin superfamily that functions as a cofactor-dependent regulator of blood coagulation factors Xa and XIa. Here we provide evidence that, in addition to the established cofactors, protein Z, lipid, and calcium, heparin is an important cofactor of ZPI anticoagulant function. Heparin produced 20-100-fold accelerations of ZPI reactions with factor Xa and factor XIa to yield second order rate constants approaching the physiologically significant diffusion limit (k(a) = 10(6) to 10(7) M(-1) s(-1)). The dependence of heparin accelerating effects on heparin concentration was bell-shaped for ZPI reactions with both factors Xa and XIa, consistent with a template-bridging mechanism of heparin rate enhancement. Maximal accelerations of ZPI-factor Xa reactions required calcium, which augmented the heparin acceleration by relieving Gla domain inhibition as previously shown for heparin bridging of the antithrombin-factor Xa reaction. Heparin acceleration of both ZPI-protease reactions was optimal at heparin concentrations and heparin chain lengths comparable with those that produce physiologically significant rate enhancements of other serpin-protease reactions. Protein Z binding to ZPI minimally affected heparin rate enhancements, indicating that heparin binds to a distinct site on ZPI and activates ZPI in its physiologically relevant complex with protein Z. Taken together, these results suggest that whereas protein Z, lipid, and calcium cofactors promote ZPI inhibition of membrane-associated factor Xa, heparin activates ZPI to inhibit free factor Xa as well as factor XIa and therefore may play a physiologically and pharmacologically important role in ZPI anticoagulant function.     

Partial purification of a low molecular weight inhibitor of epidermal DNA synthesis

Abstract. An attempt has been made to purify factors present in aqueous extracts of pig epidermis which inhibit epidermal cell proliferation. A lipophilic factor of low molecular weight (less than 10,000), has been shown to inhibit DNA synthesis as measured by the uptake of tritiated thymidine in mouse ear epidermis. Purification by alcohol precipitation, ethyl acetate extraction and silicic acid column chromatography produced a fifteen-fold increase in the specific activity of the inhibitory action. It seems likely that aggregation or absorption of this low molecular weight factor may explain the high molecular weight of epidermal cell proliferation inhibitors previously studied, as well as the difficulty in their characterization.     

Study of antioxidant activities of sulfated polysaccharides from Laminaria japonica

The composition, molecular weight and in vitro antioxidant activity of various sulfated polysaccharides obtained by anion exchange chromatography, acid hydrolysis and radical process degradation of the crude sulfated polysaccharide extracted from Laminaria japonica were compared. The low sulfated F-A2, with a peak-molecular weight (Mp) of 5–15 kDa, 14.5% sulfated ester and 21.8% glucuronic acid, exhibited a very strong antioxidant activity on superoxide and hydroxyl radicals, with activity even higher than that of large molecular weight fractions F-A and F-B. However, highly sulfated fractions with a peak-molecular weight below 15 kDa had much lower antioxidant activities than other fractions. These results indicated that the sulfate group of the low molecular weight fractions represents a physical block for the reaction with oxygen radicals. The chemical properties and antioxidant activities of sulfated polysaccharide fractions obtained by radical process degradation of crude sulfated polysaccharide were quite different from those obtained by acid hydrolysates. By radical process degradation, the high molecular weight was decreased to give LM2 (Mp 8 kDa) and LM1 (Mp 1.5 kDa), with a yield of 40% and 15%, respectively. LM2 was enriched with fucose and sulfated ester, while containing low amounts of glucuronic acid. The antioxidant activity showed that LM2 was unable to scavenge either superoxide or hydroxyl radical, which suggested that radical process degradation targeted mainly ascopyllan-like species rich in glucuronic acid, while the fraction rich in sulfated l-fucose remained unchanged. However, LM1 with Mp 1.5 kDa still retained apparent scavenging ability for superoxide radical, although it contained no glucuronic acid and certain amounts of galactose and mannose as main neutral sugars. These result suggest that the antioxidant activity of sulfated polysaccharides is apparently related not only to molecular weight and sulfated ester content, as previously determined, but also to glucuronic acid and fucose content.     

Fractionation of sulfated galactan from the red alga Botryocladia occidentalis separates its anticoagulant and anti-SARS-CoV-2 properties

Sulfation pattern and molecular weight (MW) play a key role in the biological actions of sulfated glycans. Besides anticoagulant effects, certain sulfated glycans can also exhibit anti-SARS-CoV-2 properties. To develop a more selective antiviral carbohydrate, an efficient strategy to separate these two actions is required. In this work, low MW fractions derived from the red alga Botryocladia occidentalis sulfated galactan (BoSG) were generated, structurally characterized, and tested for activity against SARS-CoV-2 and blood coagulation. The lowest MW fraction was found to be primarily composed of octasaccharides of monosulfated monosaccharides. Unlike heparin or native BoSG, we found that hydrolyzed BoSG products had weak anticoagulant activities as seen by aPTT and inhibitory assays using purified cofactors. In contrast, lower MW BoSG-derivatives retained anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity using SARS-CoV-2 spike (S)-protein pseudotyped lentivirus vector in HEK-293T-hACE2 cells monitored by GFP. Surface plasmon resonance confirmed that longer chains are necessary for BoSG to interact with coagulation cofactors but is not required for interactions with certain S-protein variants. We observed distinct affinities of BoSG derivatives for the S-proteins of different SARS-CoV-2 strains, including WT, N501Y (Alpha), K417T/E484K/N501Y (Gamma), and L542R (Delta) mutants, and stronger affinity for the N501Y-containing variants. Docking of the four possible monosulfated BoSG disaccharides in interactions with the N501Y mutant S-protein predicted potential binding poses of the BoSG constructs and favorable binding in close proximity to the 501Y residue. Our results demonstrate that depolymerization and fractionation of BoSG are an effective strategy to segregate its anticoagulant property from its anti-SARS-CoV-2 action.