Determination of the protein content of crystals formed by Mastigocladus laminosus C-phycocyanin, Chroomonas spec. phycocyanin-645 and modified human fibrinogen using an improved Ficoll density gradient method

We demonstrated for several protein crystals of known protein content that the simple Ficoll density gradient method for crystal density determination as described by Westbrook (1976) often leads to quite erroneous results. In particular, the apparent density of loosely packed crystals can show a tremendous change within the first minutes of measurement. In order to derive the correct protein content the apparent crystal density must be followed as a function of time and has to be extrapolated back to the time of insertion of the crystal into the gradient. The packing densities of four novel protein crystals, formed by Mastigocladus laminosus C-phycocyanin, Chroomonas spec. phycocyanin-645 (two forms), and modified human fibrinogen have been determined and that of proteinase II of Crotalus adamanteus has been corrected. The C-phycocyanin crystals were found to contain (in contrast to earlier results reported by others) only one (alpha beta)-monomer, the phycocyanin-645 crystals two and three (alpha alpha' beta 2)-monomers, respectively, and the fibrinogen crystals one fibrinogen molecule per asymmetric unit.     

Crystals of modified fibrinogen: Size,shape and packing of molecules

We have produced several new macroscopic crystal forms and a variety of microcrystals from modified flbrinogens. Bovine and rabbit flbrinogens crystallize after limited digestion by a bacterial protease or α-chymotrypsin. The fibrinogens making up these crystals are largely intact and highly clottable. Tentative molecular packing arrangements for two crystal forms have been deduced. The crystal morphology and cleavage planes were used in this analysis. The characteristic α-helical coiled-coil reflections arid spikes of intensity in certain directions in the crystal X-ray patterns serve as markers for the orientation of the fibrinogen molecules. Changes that occur in one of the forms during preparation for electron microscopy, as shown by comparison with X-ray experiments on crystals in various stains and solvents, support this packing model. These studies provide preliminary evidence that fibrinogen is about 450 Å in length and that the molecules bond end-to-end to form filaments making up the crystals.     

Purification and characterization of jararassin-I, A thrombin-like enzyme from Bothrops jararaca snake venom

Snake venoms of the Viperidae family contain a numberof proteins that cause hemostatic disturbances. Enveno-mation of this family is characterized by hemorrhage,edema, local tissue damage, myonecrosis, fibrinolytic andkinin releasing activities [1]. In southeastern Brazil, theviper Bothrops jararaca (Viperidae) is responsible for 90%of snakebite accidents [2]. The enzymes that have proteolytic, coagulate andhemorraghic activities can activate or interfere withthe process of coagulation, and…     

X-ray crystallographic and biochemical characterization of single crystals formed by proteolytically modified human fibrinogen

Large single crystals (0.7 mm X 0.4 mm X 0.3 mm) of human fibrinogen, modified with a crude exoprotease from Pseudomonas aeruginosa, have been obtained. The crystals are orthorhombic, space group P212121, with a = 9.5 +/- 0.1 nm, b = 11.1 +/- 0.1 nm, c = 44.0 +/- 0.4 nm. Their X-ray diffraction patterns extend to beyond 1.0 nm resolution. The asymmetric unit contains one fragment of 245 kDa molecular mass made up of an intact gamma chain, a slightly shortened beta chain and an N-terminal part (about one-third) of the alpha chain. In electron micrographs of rotary-shadowed samples the crystallized particles are very similar in size and shape to the well-known trinodular form of native fibrinogen. From the unit-cell dimensions and the intensity pattern a model is proposed in which the molecules consist of two halves related by a local twofold rotation axis, and are aligned with a displacement of multiples of 1/4 of their length giving a pseudohexagonal packing scheme.     

Crystallization of fragment D from human fibrinogen.

Fragment D from human fibrinogen has been crystallized. The fragment, which is composed of three disulfide-linked chains (alpha' beta' gamma' = 88,000), was generated with either plasmin or mild trypsin digestion. The crystals diffracted out to 3.5 A; the space group is P2(1), unit cell dimensions a = 108 A, b = 48 A, c = 167 A, beta = 106 degrees. Fragment D was also co-crystallized with the ligand GPRP-amide, in which case the space group is consistent with P212121, unit cell dimensions a = 476 A, b = 82 A, c = 432 A.     

Purification and characterization of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) fibrinogen

This study describes a purification protocol of salmon fibrinogen that gives a consumable and highly clottable fibrinogen. Some characteristics of salmon and human fibrinogen are compared. Fibrinogen was purified from barium sulphate adsorbed plasma of Atlantic salmon, using two steps of 25% ammonium sulphate precipitation followed by ultrafiltration. The clottability of the purified salmon fibrinogen was 91%. The Aalpha chains of salmon fibrinogen were heterogeneous with a molecular mass of 90-110 kDa, compared to approximately 67 kDa of human fibrinogen Aalpha chains. The Bbeta and gamma chains of salmon and human fibrinogen had molecular masses of approximately 55 and 50 kDa, respectively. Western blotting revealed that polyclonal rabbit anti-human fibrinogen antibodies had affinity for the gamma chains of salmon fibrinogen, making it possible to study factor XIII activity in purified salmon fibrinogen. Cross-linking of either gamma-gamma or gamma-alpha chains was not detected upon incubation of the purified fibrinogen with thrombin and calcium alone, but was detected when clotting was performed in plasma indicating absence of factor XIII activity in the purified product.     

Localization of fibrinogen during ADP- or thrombin-induced aggregation of washed rabbit platelets

In contrast to human platelets, which aggregate poorly in response to ADP unless fibrinogen is present in the external medium, washed rabbit platelets form large aggregates in response to ADP without fibrinogen in the suspending medium. Addition of fibrinogen to the suspending medium of rabbit platelets frequently has little or no effect on the extent of ADP-induced platelet aggregation. We examined washed rabbit platelets by immunocytochemistry during ADP-induced aggregation and deaggregation and during thrombin-induced aggregation when the external medium did not contain added fibrinogen to determine if (a) fibrinogen was expressed on the surface of rabbit platelets that could support aggregation when the platelets were stimulated, or (b) fibrinogen secreted from the alpha granules supports platelet aggregation. Glutaraldehyde-fixed samples were prepared at different times after addition of ADP or thrombin, embedded in Lowicryl K4M, sectioned, incubated with sheep anti-rabbit fibrinogen, washed, reacted with gold-labeled anti-sheep IgG, and prepared for electron microscopy. The alpha granules of rabbit platelets were heavily labeled with immunogold; the platelet membrane was not labeled. During platelet aggregation and deaggregation in response to ADP, fibrinogen was not detectable on the platelet surface. In response to thrombin, large aggregates formed before fibrinogen was secreted from the alpha granules; fibrinogen was detectable focally at sites of granule discharge by 30-60 sec and fibrin formed by 3 min. Therefore, stimulated washed rabbit platelets can adhere to each other without large amounts of fibrinogen taking part in the close platelet-to-platelet contact, since aggregation occurs before detectable secretion, and large areas where the platelets are in contact are devoid of fibrinogen between the adherent membranes. Adhesion mechanisms not involving fibrinogen may support the aggregation of washed rabbit platelets.     

Photooxidation of fibrinogen in the presence of methylene blue and its effect on polymerization

Human fibrinogen was illuminated in the presence of methylene blue. The resulting photooxidized fibrinogen was devoid of polymerization activity and thrombin-induced coagulability. The initial rate of the thrombin catalysed release of fibrinopeptides from photooxidized fibrinogen was normal. It was shown that illumination of photooxidized fibrinogen and photooxidized fragment N-DSK caused the modification of histidine residues. Tryptophan residues were also modified.When fibrinogen was photooxidized immediately after the addition of thrombin, the capacity to polymerize was lost. The inhibition of polymerization was less marked when oxidation was initiated at the time when polymerization began or thereafter.Photooxidized fibrinogen acts as an inhibitor of the polymerization of fibrin monomers.Photooxidized fibrinogen has affinity for thrombin-activated fibrinogen-Sepharose and thrombin-activated fragment N-DSK-Sepharose. When the former conjugate is illuminated in the presence of methylene blue its affinity for fibrinogen is decreased. It is concluded that the fragment N-DSK domain of fibrinogen is affected by photooxidation.     

Atomic force microscopy of liposomes bearing fibrinogen

Extruded liposomes formed from dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine and cholesterol, with and without fibrinogen, were examined by atomic force microscopy (AFM). The sequence of events involved in the transition from attached liposomes to bilayer patches on mica supports was viewed by tapping mode in liquid. After adhesion to the mica surface, both liposomes without fibrinogen and liposomes with attached fibrinogen collapsed into patches. The fibrinogen layer attached to the liposomes was 2.6 nm thick. This implied that the protein was spread over the entire liposome and the protein characteristic trinodular structure disappeared. To check the type of bond between fibrinogen and liposome, sequential images were taken after the incubation of fibrinogen with liposomes with and without a chemical group for attaching the protein. The results clearly confirmed that fibrinogen bound covalently to liposomes.     

Protein synthesis and storage in human platelets: a defective storage of fibrinogen in platelets in Glanzmann's thrombasthenia

In vivo metabolic labelling experiments were performed to investigate the ability of human platelets to synthesize and store fibrinogen and thrombospondin. Newly synthesized proteins were analyzed by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Results were compared with those obtained for the platelets of a patient with Glanzmann's thrombasthenia where endogenous fibrinogen levels were severely reduced. Normal human platelets were able to synthesize the different subunits of fibrinogen and thrombospondin and to assemble them into native fibrinogen and thrombospondin molecules. This synthesis was inhibited by cycloheximide. Synthesis of both fibrinogen and thrombospondin was observed in the platelets of the Glanzmann's thrombasthenia patient. However, radiolabelled fibrinogen was no longer detected after an 18-h non-radioactive chase, although it was retained in the control platelets. Neosynthesized thrombospondin of the patient was normally preserved during the same chase period. When the fate of the radioactive fibrinogen was studied, it was found to be degraded in Glanzmann's thrombasthenia platelets to the same extent as neosynthesized cytoplasmic proteins, whereas in control platelets less degradation had occurred. We conclude that human platelets maintain a residual capacity to synthesize fibrinogen and that its deficiency in Glanzmann's thrombasthenia results from a storage abnormality and not from a synthesis defect.     

Babesia argentina: Studies on the nature of an antigen associated with infection

A crude soluble haemagglutination antigen obtained from a mixture of Babesia argentina parasites and infected erythrocyte stromata contained fibrinogen. The fibrinogen was removed by precipitation in an initial attempt to purify the antigen. However, most if not all of the antigenic activity was located in the fibrinogen precipitate. After consideration of the evidence available, it was concluded that the antigen was either a babesial moiety complexed with fibrinogen or a fibrinogen molecule altered by the metabolic activity of the parasite.     

The role of complementary E2 and D2 centers in the reaction between fibrin and fibrinogen

The effect of fibrinogen on the two steps of polymerization of two fibrin forms differing in the set of polymerization sites (fibrin-desAA and fibrin-desAABB) was studied. It was shown that fibrinogen inhibited the protofibril growth and fibril formation at the stage of lateral aggregation more effectively with fibrin-desAABB than with fibrin desAA. When the fibrinogen D2-site was blocked by tetrapeptide Gly-His-Arg-Pro, the key structure of the E2-site, the inhibitory activity of fibrinogen diminished. A conclusion is drawn that the high susceptibility of fibrin-desAABB to fibrinogen is due to the interaction of the E2-active site with the D2-site of the fibrinogen molecule. The concentration dependence of the tetrapeptide Gly-His-Arg-Pro-induced inactivation of fibrinogen and the effects of temperature and Ca2+ on the tetrapeptide interaction with fibrinogen were investigated.     

A new method of purifying fibrinogen with both biological and immunological activity from human plasma

Using a combination of Cohn ethanol fractionation, virus inactivation, glycine and sodium chloride precipitation, and lysine-Sepharose affinity chromatography, a unique and rapid simplified method was developed to obtain highly purified fibrinogen for diagnostic use with both biological (Clauss method) and immunological (Jacobsson method) activity. Yield was 0.66 g of fibrinogen per liter of starting pooled plasma, and the purified product showed good agreement in activity with the starting material. The purified fibrinogen solution contained over 95% clottable protein and had a clear appearance. No degradation was observed after urokinase treatment and the preparation provided good precision in fibrinogen measurement compared to pooled plasma. The simplified method was, thus, shown to result in a high-purity fibrinogen preparation, suitable for in vitro diagnostic use, as well as for use to prepare a fibrinogen reference material and to perform fibrinogen quality control using an automated coagulation analyzer.     

Electron microscope structural study of modified fibrin and a related modified fibrinogen aggregate

The structure of proteolytically modified fibrin and a closely related modified fibrinogen aggregate have been studied by analysis of electron microscope images. For both structures, we propose a model that consists of double-stranded, 2-fold helical protofibrils, which are associated laterally to form ordered fibrils, with a C222 space group: a = 44.0 nm, b = c = 9.4 nm. Each fibril is 80 nm or less in diameter, and twists along its length in a right-handed sense, with a pitch from 7 to 12 times the molecular length. The fibrils associate laterally to form bundles, which tend to twist in a left-handed sense, with a pitch of the order of 40 times the molecular length. The specific volume of modified fibrin calculated from this model is 3.9 A3 per dalton, which is comparable to the specific volume of 3.6 A3 per dalton for modified fibrinogen crystals but is lower than the 6 A3 per dalton determined for fibrin from light-scattering experiments. Comparison of our electron microscope results with X-ray and neutron diffraction data suggest a similar, but less well-ordered, structure for native fibrin, with a smaller fibril, approximately 18.4 nm wide, consisting of eight protofibrils.     

Interaction between fibronectin and purified staphylococcal clumping factor

Clumping of Staphylococcal aureus was observed in the presence of fibrinogen as well as fibronectin. In order to elucidate the mechanism of this clumping, binding of radiolabelled fibrinogen and fibronectin to S. aureus cultures was studied. Cultures of S. aureus reacted with ¹²⁵I-labelled fibrinogen as well as fibronectin. The binding of labelled fibrinogen to S. aureus could be completely inhibited by unlabelled fibronectin, whereas the binding of labelled fibronectin was only partially inhibited by unlabelled fibrinogen. This suggested an interaction of fibronectin with clumping factor which is the binding protein for fibrinogen in staphylococci. The clumping factor was purified from S. aureus strain K 807 by affinity chromatography on fibrinogen-Sepharose followed by HPLC. The purified clumping factor inhibited the binding of fibrinogen and fibronectin to staphylococci. In western blots the purified clumping factor reacted with fibrinogen as well as fibronectin. Thus, the direct interaction of clumping factor with fibronectin might be responsible for the clumping of staphylococci in fibrinogen depleted plasma or serum.     

Fibrinogen distribution on surfaces and in organelles of ADP stimulated human blood platelets

The fibrinogen distribution in platelet organelles after ADP-stimulation was investigated with anti-human fibrinogen using protein A-gold applied to serial sections. Fibrinogen was detected in the so-called alpha-granules of platelets and also in granule protrusions which were observed after ADP-stimulation. The ends of these protrusions were formed as coated membranes and the tips were often in apposition to the surface connected membranes or the plasmalemma. At such places fusion events and hence signs of an exocytosis could be demonstrated by means of cryofixation and cryosubstitution. Examination of serial sections revealed fibrinogen on all these granule profiles. Surface connected membranes, free surfaces and the characteristic structure of the contact zones of aggregated platelets were also labelled by gold particles but less than anticipated. On the platelet surfaces and surface connected membranes fibrinogen was rarely demonstrable with ferritin-labelled anti-human fibrinogen on washed or thrombin-stimulated, almost fibrinogen free platelets. After addition of human fibrinogen to the thrombin stimulated and disaggregated platelets a part of the platelets aggregated spontaneously and formed characteristic contact zones. Anti-human fibrinogen was observed on the free surfaces, in filamentous bridges between the contact spaces and in a tubular surface connected membrane system with involvement of coated membranes at the central ends of these structures. The results indicate the following: all alpha-granules contain fibrinogen; after ADP-stimulation secretion takes place with involvement of coated membranes; during aggregation fibrinogen binds to platelet surfaces and forms contact spaces; fibrinogen is taken up by the surface connected system with involvement of coated membranes.     

Plasmodium coatneyi: alterations of transcapillary escape rate and capillary permeability to fibrinogen in rhesus monkeys

The transcapillary escape rate and plasma clearance of fibrinogen were studied in six rhesus monkeys infected with Plasmodium coatneyi as well as in six control monkeys using 131I-fibrinogen as a tracer. The mean transcapillary escape rate of fibrinogen in the infected group was significantly higher than that of the control group. Both plasma volume and plasma fibrinogen concentration were also elevated in the infected group, these resulting in a significantly higher intravascular fibrinogen mass, plasma clearance rate, and outflux of fibrinogen from the intravascular to the extravascular compartments. Both effective capillary pore area/unit path length available for restricted diffusion and the specific permeability coefficient of plasma fibrinogen in the infected monkeys were also found to be significantly higher than those of the control group. These findings indicated that there was an increased leakage of plasma fibrinogen from the circulation into the extravascular space which was due either to increased capillary surface area and/or to an increased capillary permeability in rhesus monkeys infected with P. coatneyi.     

Influence of fibrinogen on fibrin polymerization. Ultracentrifugation studies

During the transformation of fibrinogen to fibrin, excess fibrinogen suppresses further polymerization of fibrin, thereby enabling the nascent fibrin to be transported in a soluble form in blood. The question of possible complex formation between fibrin and fibrinogen was addressed by analyzing fibrin/fibrinogen (1:20, mol/mol) mixtures in the presence of calcium ions in stable linear sucrose density gradients by ultracentrifugation at 37 degrees C. During the period of ultracentrifugation in independent experiments, 40% of desAA-fibrin and 30% of desAABB-fibrin, respectively, precipitated without the participation of fibrinogen. The desAABB-fibrin, recovered in the gradient fractions, appeared as high-molecular-weight polymers (22 S), whereas the recovered desAA-fibrin exhibited only a slight increase in molecular weight (9 S) compared to fibrinogen (8 S). In contrast to this finding, both types of fibrin were totally recovered in gradient fractions provided that fibrinogen was present in the gradient at a uniform concentration of 2 mg/ml. In addition, the presence of fibrinogen but not human serum albumin reduced the size of desAABB-fibrin polymers (17 S). However, stable fibrin-fibrinogen complexes could not be demonstrated, since cosedimentation of differently labelled desAABB-fibrin and fibrinogen was not detectable. These studies suggest a specific but weak interaction of the solubilizing fibrinogen with the soluble fibrin polymers as demonstrated by a rapid exchange of both macromolecules.     

Thrombospondin interaction with fibrinogen. Evidence for binding to the A alpha- and B beta-chains of fibrinogen

Platelet thrombospondin interacts with fibrinogen in a specific and saturable manner. Thrombospondin was found to specifically bind to the A alpha- and B beta-chains of fibrinogen; binding was independent of divalent ions. Binding could be blocked either by preincubation of thrombospondin with 9.4 microM fibrinogen or by preincubation of fibrinogen with 1.1 nM thrombospondin. Thrombospondin bound only to the beta-chain component of the D and DD plasmin fragment of fibrinogen. Thrombospondin interaction with fibrinogen was not blocked by preincubation with synthetic peptides which have previously been identified as either the fibrinogen receptor (alpha 572-575, the synthetic tetrapeptide arginyl-glycyl-aspartyl-serine) or cell attachment (gamma 400-411) domains. Fibrinogen, therefore, possesses at least two unique and distinct sites, within the A alpha- and B beta-chains, for its interaction with thrombospondin.