Incorporation of factor Va into prothrombinase is required for coordinated cleavage of prothrombin by factor Xa

Prothrombin is activated to thrombin by two sequential factor Xa-catalyzed cleavages, at Arg271 followed by cleavage at Arg320. Factor Va, along with phospholipid and Ca2+, enhances the rate of the process by 300,000-fold, reverses the order of cleavages, and directs the process through the meizothrombin pathway, characterized by initial cleavage at Arg320. Previous work indicated reduced rates of prothrombin activation with recombinant mutant factor Va defective in factor Xa binding (E323F/Y324F and E330M/V331I, designated factor VaFF/MI). The present studies were undertaken to determine whether loss of activity can be attributed to selective loss of efficiency at one or both of the two prothrombin-activating cleavage sites. Kinetic constants for the overall activation of prothrombin by prothrombinase assembled with saturating concentrations of recombinant mutant factor Va were calculated, prothrombin activation was assessed by SDS-PAGE, and rate constants for both cleavages were analyzed from the time course of the concentration of meizothrombin. Prothrombinase assembled with factor VaFF/MI had decreased k(cat) for prothrombin activation with Km remaining unaffected. Prothrombinase assembled with saturating concentrations of factor VaFF/MI showed significantly lower rate for cleavage of plasma-derived prothrombin at Arg320 than prothrombinase assembled with saturating concentrations of wild type factor Va. These results were corroborated by analysis of cleavage of recombinant prothrombin mutants rMz-II (R155A/R284A/R271A) and rP2-II (R155A/R284A/R320A), which can be cleaved only at Arg320 or Arg271, respectively. Time courses of these mutants indicated that mutations in the factor Xa binding site of factor Va reduce rates for both bonds. These data indicate that the interaction of factor Xa with the heavy chain of factor Va strongly influences the catalytic activity of the enzyme resulting in increased rates for both prothrombin-activating cleavages.     

Cooperative regulation of the activity of factor Xa within prothrombinase by discrete amino acid regions from factor Va heavy chain

The prothrombinase complex catalyzes the activation of prothrombin to alpha-thrombin. We have repetitively shown that amino acid region (695)DYDY(698) from the COOH terminus of the heavy chain of factor Va regulates the rate of cleavage of prothrombin at Arg(271) by prothrombinase. We have also recently demonstrated that amino acid region (334)DY(335) is required for the optimal activity of prothrombinase. To assess the effect of these six amino acid residues on cofactor activity, we created recombinant factor Va molecules combining mutations at amino acid regions 334-335 and 695-698 as follows: factor V(3K) ((334)DY(335) --> KF and (695)DYDY(698) --> KFKF), factor V(KF/4A) ((334)DY(335) --> KF and (695)DYDY(698) --> AAAA), and factor V(6A) ((334)DY(335) --> AA and (695)DYDY(698) --> AAAA). The recombinant factor V molecules were expressed and purified to homogeneity. Factor Va(3K), factor Va(K4/4A), and factor Va(6A) had reduced affinity for factor Xa, when compared to the affinity of the wild-type molecule (factor Va(Wt)) for the enzyme. Prothrombinase assembled with saturating concentrations of factor Va(3K) had a 6-fold reduced second-order rate constant for prothrombin activation compared to the value obtained with prothrombinase assembled with factor Va(Wt), while prothrombinase assembled with saturating concentrations of factor Va(KF/4A) and factor Va(6A) had approximately 1.5-fold reduced second-order rate constants. Overall, the data demonstrate that amino acid region 334-335 together with amino acid region 695-698 from factor Va heavy chain are part of a cooperative mechanism within prothrombinase regulating cleavage and activation of prothrombin by factor Xa.     

A control switch for prothrombinase: characterization of a hirudin-like pentapeptide from the COOH terminus of factor Va heavy chain that regulates the rate and pathway for prothrombin activation

Membrane-bound factor Xa alone catalyzes prothrombin activation following initial cleavage at Arg(271) and prethrombin 2 formation (pre2 pathway). Factor Va directs prothrombin activation by factor Xa through the meizothrombin pathway, characterized by initial cleavage at Arg(320) (meizo pathway). We have shown previously that a pentapeptide encompassing amino acid sequence 695-699 from the COOH terminus of the heavy chain of factor Va (Asp-Tyr-Asp-Tyr-Gln, DYDYQ) inhibits prothrombin activation by prothrombinase in a competitive manner with respect to substrate. To understand the mechanism of inhibition of thrombin formation by DYDYQ, we have studied prothrombin activation by gel electrophoresis. Titration of plasma-derived prothrombin activation by prothrombinase, with increasing concentrations of peptide, resulted in complete inhibition of the meizo pathway. However, thrombin formation still occurred through the pre2 pathway. These data demonstrate that the peptide preferentially inhibits initial cleavage of prothrombin by prothrombinase at Arg(320). These findings were corroborated by studying the activation of recombinant mutant prothrombin molecules rMZ-II (R155A/R284A/R271A) and rP2-II (R155A/R284A/R320A) which can be only cleaved at Arg(320) and Arg(271), respectively. Cleavage of rMZ-II by prothrombinase was completely inhibited by low concentrations of DYDYQ, whereas high concentrations of pentapeptide were required to inhibit cleavage of rP2-II. The pentapeptide also interfered with prothrombin cleavage by membrane-bound factor Xa alone in the absence of factor Va increasing the rate for cleavage at Arg(271) of plasma-derived prothrombin or rP2-II. Our data demonstrate that pentapeptide DYDYQ has opposing effects on membrane-bound factor Xa for prothrombin cleavage, depending on the incorporation of factor Va in prothrombinase.     

Contribution of amino acid region 334-335 from factor Va heavy chain to the catalytic efficiency of prothrombinase

We have demonstrated that amino acids E (323), Y (324), E (330), and V (331) from the factor Va heavy chain are required for the interaction of the cofactor with factor Xa and optimum rates of prothrombin cleavage. We have also shown that amino acid region 332-336 contains residues that are important for cofactor function. Using overlapping peptides, we identified amino acids D (334) and Y (335) as contributors to cofactor activity. We constructed recombinant factor V molecules with the mutations D (334) --> K and Y (335) --> F (factor V (KF)) and D (334) --> A and Y (335) --> A (factor V (AA)). Kinetic studies showed that while factor Va (KF) and factor Va (AA) had a K D for factor Xa similar to the K D observed for wild-type factor Va (factor Va (WT)), the clotting activities of the mutant molecules were impaired and the k cat of prothrombinase assembled with factor Va (KF) and factor Va (AA) was reduced. The second-order rate constant of prothrombinase assembled with factor Va (KF) or factor Va (AA) for prothrombin activation was approximately 10-fold lower than the second-order rate constant for the same reaction catalyzed by prothrombinase assembled with factor Va (WT). We also created quadruple mutants combining mutations in the amino acid region 334-335 with mutations at the previously identified amino acids that are important for factor Xa binding (i.e., E (323)Y (324) and E (330)V (331)). Prothrombinase assembled with the quadruple mutant molecules displayed a second-order rate constant up to 400-fold lower than the values obtained with prothrombinase assembled with factor Va (WT). The data demonstrate that amino acid region 334-335 is required for the rearrangement of enzyme and substrate necessary for efficient catalysis of prothrombin by prothrombinase.     

Structural requirements for expression of factor Va activity

Thrombin activated factor Va (factor VIIa, residues 1-709 and 1546-2196) has an apparent dissociation constant (Kd,app) for factor Xa within prothrombinase of approximately 0.5 nM. A protease (NN) purified from the venom of the snake Naja nigricollis nigricollis, cleaves human factor V at Asp697, Asp1509, and Asp1514 to produce a molecule (factor VNN) that is composed of a Mr 100,000 heavy chain (amino acid residues 1-696) and a Mr 80,000 light chain (amino acid residues 1509/1514-2196). Factor VNN, has a Kd,app for factor Xa of 4 nm and reduced clotting activity. Cleavage of factor VIIa by NN at Asp697 results in a cofactor that loses approximately 60-80% of its clotting activity. An enzyme from Russell's viper venom (RVV) cleaves human factor V at Arg1018 and Arg1545 to produce a Mr 150,000 heavy chain and Mr 74,000 light chain (factor VRVV, residues 1-1018 and 1546-2196). The RVV species has affinity for factor Xa and clotting activity similar to the thrombin-activated factor Va. Cleavage of factor VNN at Arg1545 by alpha-thrombin (factor VNN/IIa) or RVV (factor VNN/RVV) leads to enhanced affinity of the cofactor for factor Xa (Kd,app approximately 0.5 nM). A synthetic peptide containing the last 13 residues from the heavy chain of factor Va (amino acid sequence 697-709, D13R) was found to be a competitive inhibitor of prothrombinase with respect to prothrombin. The peptide was also found to specifically interact with thrombin-agarose. These data demonstrate that 1) cleavage at Arg1545 and formation of the light chain of factor VIIa is essential for high affinity binding and function of factor Xa within prothrombinase and 2) a binding site for prothrombin is contributed by amino acid residues 697-709 of the heavy chain of the cofactor.     

The factor V activation paradox

The prothrombinase complex consists of the protease factor Xa, Ca2+, and factor Va assembled on an anionic membrane. Factor Va functions both as a receptor for factor Xa and a positive effector of factor Xa catalytic efficiency and thus is key to efficient conversion of prothrombin to thrombin. The activation of the procofactor, factor V, to factor Va is an essential reaction that occurs early in the process of tissue factor-initiated blood coagulation; however, the catalytic sequence leading to formation of factor Va is a subject of disagreement. We have used biophysical and biochemical approaches to establish the second order rate constants and reaction pathways for the activation of phospholipid-bound human factor V by native and recombinant thrombin and meizothrombin, by mixtures of prothrombin activation products, and by factor Xa. We have also reassessed the activation of phospholipid-bound human prothrombin by factor Xa. Numerical simulations were performed incorporating the various pathways of factor V activation including the presence or absence of the pathway of factor V-independent prothrombin activation by factor Xa. Reaction pathways for factor V activation are similar for all thrombin forms. Empirical rate constants and the simulations are consistent with the following mechanism for factor Va formation. alpha-Thrombin, derived from factor Xa cleavage of phospholipid-bound prothrombin via the prethrombin 2 pathway, catalyzes the initial activation of factor V; generation of factor Va in a milieu already containing factor Xa enables prothrombinase formation with consequent meizothrombin formation; and meizothrombin functions as an amplifier of the process of factor V activation and thus has an important procoagulant role. Direct activation of factor V by factor Xa at physiologically relevant concentrations does not appear to be a significant contributor to factor Va formation.     

Activation of human prothrombin by human prothrombinase. Influence of factor Va on the reaction mechanism

The kinetics of the activation of human prothrombin catalyzed by human prothrombinase was studied using the fluorescent alpha-thrombin inhibitor dansylarginine-N-(3-ethyl-1,5-pentanediyl)amide (DAPA). Prothrombinase proteolytically activates prothrombin to alpha-thrombin by cleavages at Arg273-Thr274 (bond A) and Arg322-Ile323 (bond B). The differential fluorescence properties of DAPA complexed with the intermediates and products of human prothrombin activation were exploited to study the kinetics of the individual bond cleavages in the zymogen. When the catalyst was composed of prothrombinase (human factor Xa, human factor Va, synthetic phospholipid vesicles, and calcium ion), initial velocity studies of alpha-thrombin formation indicated that the kinetic constants for the cleavage of bonds A or B were similar to the constants that were obtained for the overall reaction (bonds A + B). The progress of the reaction was also monitored by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate. The results indicated that the activation of human prothrombin catalyzed by prothrombinase proceeded exclusively via the formation of meizothrombin (bond B-cleaved) as an intermediate. Kinetic studies of the cofactor dependence of the rates of cleavage of the individual bonds indicated that, in the absence of the cofactor, cleavage at bond B would constitute the rate-limiting step in prothrombin activation. Progress curves for prothrombin activation catalyzed by prothrombinase and monitored using the fluorophore DAPA were typified by the appearance of a transient maximum, indicating the formation of meizothrombin as an intermediate. When factor Xa alone was the catalyst, progress curves were characterized by an initial burst phase, suggesting the rapid production of prethrombin 2 (bond A-cleaved) followed by its slow conversion to alpha-thrombin. Gel electrophoresis followed by autoradiography was used to confirm these results. Collectively, the results indicate that the activation of human prothrombin via the formation of meizothrombin as an intermediate is a consequence of the association of the cofactor, human factor Va, with the enzyme, human factor Xa, on the phospholipid surface.     

Restricted active site docking by enzyme-bound substrate enforces the ordered cleavage of prothrombin by prothrombinase

The preferred pathway for prothrombin activation by prothrombinase involves initial cleavage at Arg(320) to produce meizothrombin, which is then cleaved at Arg(271) to liberate thrombin. Exosite binding drives substrate affinity and is independent of the bond being cleaved. The pathway for cleavage is determined by large differences in V(max) for cleavage at the two sites within intact prothrombin. By fluorescence binding studies in the absence of catalysis, we have assessed the ability of the individual cleavage sites to engage the active site of Xa within prothrombinase at equilibrium. Using a panel of recombinant cleavage site mutants, we show that in intact prothrombin, the Arg(320) site effectively engages the active site in a 1:1 interaction between substrate and enzyme. In contrast, the Arg(271) site binds to the active site poorly in an interaction that is approximately 600-fold weaker. Perceived substrate affinity is independent of active site engagement by either cleavage site. We further show that prior cleavage at the 320 site or the stabilization of the uncleaved zymogen in a proteinase-like state facilitates efficient docking of Arg(271) at the active site of prothrombinase. Therefore, we establish direct relationships between docking of either cleavage site at the active site of the catalyst, the V(max) for cleavage at that site, substrate conformation, and the resulting pathway for prothrombin cleavage. Exosite tethering of the substrate in either the zymogen or proteinase conformation dictates which cleavage site can engage the active site of the catalyst and enforces the sequential cleavage of prothrombin by prothrombinase.     

The contribution of amino acid region ASP695-TYR698 of factor V to procofactor activation and factor Va function

There is strong evidence that a functionally important cluster of amino acids is located on the COOH-terminal portion of the heavy chain of factor Va, between amino acid residues 680 and 709. To ascertain the importance of this region for cofactor activity, we have synthesized five overlapping peptides representing this amino acid stretch (10 amino acids each, HC1-HC5) and tested them for inhibition of prothrombinase assembly and function. Two peptides, HC3 (spanning amino acid region 690-699) and HC4 (containing amino acid residues 695-704), were found to be potent inhibitors of prothrombinase activity with IC(50) values of approximately 12 and approximately 10 microm, respectively. The two peptides were unable to interfere with the binding of factor Va to active site fluorescently labeled Glu-Gly-Arg human factor Xa, and kinetic analyses showed that HC3 and HC4 are competitive inhibitors of prothrombinase with respect to prothrombin with K(i) values of approximately 6.3 and approximately 5.3 microm, respectively. These data suggest that the peptides inhibit prothrombinase because they interfere with the incorporation of prothrombin into prothrombinase. The shared amino acid motif between HC3 and HC4 is composed of Asp(695)-Tyr-Asp-Tyr-Gln(699) (DYDYQ). A pentapeptide with this sequence inhibited both prothrombinase function with an IC(50) of 1.6 microm (with a K(D) for prothrombin of 850 nm), and activation of factor V by thrombin. Peptides HC3, HC4, and DYDYQ were also found to interact with immobilized thrombin. A recombinant factor V molecule with the mutations Asp(695) --> Lys, Tyr(696) --> Phe, Asp(697) --> Lys, and Tyr(698) --> Phe (factor V(2K2F)) was partially resistant to activation by thrombin but could be readily activated by RVV-V activator (factor Va(RVV)(2K2F)) and factor Xa (factor Va(Xa)(2K2F)). Factor Va(RVV)(2K2F) and factor Va(Xa)(2K2F) had impaired cofactor activity within prothrombinase in a system using purified reagents. Our data demonstrate for the first time that amino acid sequence 695-698 of factor Va heavy chain is important for procofactor activation and is required for optimum prothrombinase function. These data provide functional evidence for an essential and productive contribution of factor Va to the activity of prothrombinase.     

The structural integrity of anion binding exosite I of thrombin is required and sufficient for timely cleavage and activation of factor V and factor VIII

Alpha-thrombin has two separate electropositive binding exosites (anion binding exosite I, ABE-I and anion binding exosite II, ABE-II) that are involved in substrate tethering necessary for efficient catalysis. Alpha-thrombin catalyzes the activation of factor V and factor VIII following discrete proteolytic cleavages. Requirement for both anion binding exosites of the enzyme has been suggested for the activation of both procofactors by alpha-thrombin. We have used plasma-derived alpha-thrombin, beta-thrombin (a thrombin molecule that has only ABE-II available), and a recombinant prothrombin molecule rMZ-II (R155A/R284A/R271A) that can only be cleaved at Arg(320) (resulting in an enzymatically active molecule that has only ABE-I exposed, rMZ-IIa) to ascertain the role of each exosite for procofactor activation. We have also employed a synthetic sulfated pentapeptide (DY(SO(3)(-))DY(SO(3)(-))Q, designated D5Q1,2) as an exosite-directed inhibitor of thrombin. The clotting time obtained with beta-thrombin was increased by approximately 8-fold, whereas rMZ-IIa was 4-fold less efficient in promoting clotting than alpha-thrombin under similar experimental conditions. Alpha-thrombin readily activated factor V following cleavages at Arg(709), Arg(1018), and Arg(1545) and factor VIII following proteolysis at Arg(372), Arg(740), and Arg(1689). Cleavage of both procofactors by alpha-thrombin was significantly inhibited by D5Q1,2. In contrast, beta-thrombin was unable to cleave factor V at Arg(1545) and factor VIII at both Arg(372) and Arg(1689). The former is required for light chain formation and expression of optimum factor Va cofactor activity, whereas the latter two cleavages are a prerequisite for expression of factor VIIIa cofactor activity. Beta-thrombin was found to cleave factor V at Arg(709) and factor VIII at Arg(740), albeit less efficiently than alpha-thrombin. The sulfated pentapeptide inhibited moderately both cleavages by beta-thrombin. Under similar experimental conditions, membrane-bound rMZ-IIa cleaved and activated both procofactor molecules. Activation of the two procofactors by membrane-bound rMZ-IIa was severely impaired by D5Q1,2. Overall the data demonstrate that ABE-I alone of alpha-thrombin can account for the interaction of both procofactors with alpha-thrombin resulting in their timely and efficient activation. Because formation of meizothrombin precedes that of alpha-thrombin, our findings also imply that meizothrombin may be the physiological activator of both procofactors in vivo in the presence of a procoagulant membrane surface during the early stages of coagulation.     

Role of sequence and position of the cleavage sites in prothrombin activation

In the penultimate step of the coagulation cascade, the multidomain vitamin-K-dependent zymogen prothrombin is converted to thrombin by the prothrombinase complex composed of factor Xa, cofactor Va, and phospholipids. Activation of prothrombin requires cleavage at two residues, R271 and R320, along two possible pathways generating either the intermediate prethrombin-2 (following initial cleavage at R271) or meizothrombin (following initial cleavage at R320). The former pathway is preferred in the absence of and the latter in the presence of cofactor Va. Several mechanisms have been proposed to explain this preference, but the role of the sequence and position of the sites of cleavage has not been thoroughly investigated. In this study, we engineered constructs where the sequences ²⁶¹DEDSDRAIEGRTATSEYQT²⁷⁹ and ³¹⁰RELLESYIDGRIVEGSDAE³²⁸ were swapped between the R271 and R320 sites. We found that in the absence of cofactor Va, the wild-type sequence at the R271 site is cleaved preferentially regardless of its position at the R271 or R320 site, whereas in the presence of cofactor Va, the R320 site is cleaved preferentially regardless of its sequence. Additional single-molecule FRET measurements revealed that the environment of R271 changes significantly upon cleavage at R320 due to the conformational transition from the closed form of prothrombin to the open form of meizothrombin. Detailed kinetics of cleavage at the R271 site were monitored by a newly developed assay based on loss of FRET. These findings show how sequence and position of the cleavage sites at R271 and R320 dictate the preferred pathway of prothrombin activation.     

Analysis of the kinetics of prothrombin activation and evidence that two equilibrating forms of prothrombinase are involved in the process

Prothrombinase cleaves prothrombin at Arg(271) and Arg(320) to produce thrombin. The kinetics of cleavage of five recombinant prothrombins were measured: wild-type prothrombin (WT-II), R155A/R284A/R271A prothrombin (rMZ-II), R155A/R284A/R320A prothrombin (rP2-II), S525C prothrombin labeled with fluorescein (WT-II-F*), and R155A/R284A/R271A/S525C prothrombin labeled with fluorescein (rMZ-II-F*). rMZ-II and rP2-II are cleaved only at Arg(320) and Arg(271), respectively, to yield the intermediates meizothrombin and prethrombin-2, respectively. WT-II-F* and rMZ-II-F* were labeled at Cys(525) with fluorescein; cleavage was monitored by enhanced fluorescence. Activation kinetics of WT-II, rMZ-II, and rP2-II indicated that the catalytic efficiency of cleavage at Arg(320) was increased by 30,000-fold by the cofactor factor Va, as was the conversion of prothrombin to thrombin. However, factor Va increased cleavage at Arg(271) only by 34-fold. Although WT-II competitively inhibited cleavage of WT-II-F*, rMZ-II or rP2-II did not inhibit completely even at saturating concentrations. However, rMZ-II and rP2-II together inhibited WT-II-F* cleavage competitively. Both WT-II and rMZ-II competitively inhibited rMZ-II-F* cleavage, whereas rP2-II did not. A model of prothrombin activation that includes two equilibrating forms of prothrombinase, each recognizing one of the cleavage sites, is quantitatively consistent with all of the experimental observations. Therefore, we conclude that the kinetics of prothrombin activation can be described by a "ping-pong"-like mechanism.     

Prothrombin Activation by Platelet-associated Prothrombinase Proceeds through the Prethrombin-2 Pathway via a Concerted Mechanism

The protease α-thrombin is a key enzyme of the coagulation process as it is at the cross-roads of both the pro- and anti-coagulant pathways. The main source of α-thrombin in vivo is the activation of prothrombin by the prothrombinase complex assembled on either an activated cell membrane or cell fragment, the most relevant of which is the activated platelet surface. When prothrombinase is assembled on synthetic phospholipid vesicles, prothrombin activation proceeds with an initial cleavage at Arg-320 yielding the catalytically active, yet effectively anticoagulant intermediate meizothrombin, which is released from the enzyme complex ∼30–40% of the time. Prothrombinase assembled on the surface of activated platelets has been shown to proceed through the inactive intermediate prethrombin-2 via an initial cleavage at Arg-271 followed by cleavage at Arg-320. The current work tests whether or not platelet-associated prothrombinase proceeds via a concerted mechanism through a study of prothrombinase assembly and function on collagen-adhered, thrombin-activated, washed human platelets in a flow chamber. Prothrombinase assembly was demonstrated through visualization of bound factor Xa by confocal microscopy using a fluorophore-labeled anti-factor Xa antibody, which demonstrated the presence of distinct platelet subpopulations capable of binding factor Xa. When prothrombin activation was monitored at a typical venous shear rate over preassembled platelet-associated prothrombinase neither potential intermediate, meizothrombin or prethrombin-2, was observed in the effluent. Collectively, these findings suggest that platelet-associated prothrombinase activates prothrombin via an efficient concerted mechanism in which neither intermediate is released.     

Binding sites for blood coagulation factor Xa and protein S involving residues 493-506 in factor Va.

Inactivation due to cleavage of Factor Va (FVa) at Arg 506 by activated protein C (APC) helps to downregulate blood coagulation. To identify potential functional roles of amino acids near Arg 506, synthetic overlapping pentadecapeptides comprising FVa heavy chain residues 481-525 were tested for their ability to inhibit prothrombin activation by prothrombinase complexes [Factor Xa (FXa):FVa:phospholipids:Ca2+]. The most potent inhibition was observed for peptide VP493 (residues 493-506), with 50% inhibition at 2.5 microM. VP493 also inhibited FXa in plasma in FXa-1-stage clotting assays by 50% at 3 microM. When the C-terminal carboxamide group of VP493 was replaced by a carboxyl group, most prothrombinase inhibitory activity was lost. VP493 preincubated with FXa inhibited prothrombinase with a pattern of mixed inhibition. Homologous peptides from Factor VIII sequences did not inhibit prothrombinase. Affinity-purified antibodies to VP493 inhibited prothrombinase activity and prolonged FXa-1-stage clotting times. VP493 also blocked the ability of protein S to inhibit prothrombinase independently of APC. Immobilized VP493 bound specifically with similar affinity to both FXa and protein S (Kd approximately 40 nM), but did not measurably bind prothrombin or APC. These studies suggest that FVa residues 493-506 contribute to binding sites for both FXa and protein S, providing a rationale for the ability of protein S to negate the protective effect of FXa toward APC cleavage of FVa. Possible loss of this FVa binding site for FXa due to cleavage at Arg 506 by APC may help explain why this cleavage causes 40% decrease in FVa activity and facilitates inactivation of FVa.     

Role of regulatory exosite I in binding of thrombin to human factor V, factor Va, factor Va subunits, and activation fragments.

The blood coagulation proteinase, thrombin, converts factor V into factor Va through a multistep activation pathway that is regulated by interactions with thrombin exosites. Thrombin exosite interactions with human factor V and its activation products were quantitatively characterized in equilibrium binding studies based on fluorescence changes of thrombin covalently labeled with 2-anilinonaphthalene-6-sulfonic acid (ANS) linked to the catalytic site histidine residue by Nalpha-[(acetylthio)acetyl]-D-Phe-Pro-Arg-CH2Cl ([ANS]FPR-thrombin). Exosite I was shown to play a predominant role in the binding of factor V and factor Va from the effect of the exosite I-specific ligand, hirudin54-65, on the interactions. Factor V and factor Va bound to exosite I of [ANS]FPR-thrombin with similar dissociation constants of 3.4 +/- 1.3 and 1.1 +/- 0.4 microM and fluorescence enhancements of 182 +/- 41 and 127 +/- 17%, respectively. Native thrombin and labeled thrombin bound with similar affinity to factor Va. Among factor V activation products, the factor Va heavy chain was shown to contain the site of exosite I binding, whereas exosite I-independent, lower affinity interactions were observed for activation fragments E and C1, and no detectable binding was observed for the factor Va light chain. The results support the conclusion that the factor V activation pathway is initiated by exosite I-mediated binding of thrombin to a site in the heavy chain region of factor V that facilitates the initial cleavage at Arg709 to generate the heavy chain of factor Va. The results further suggest that binding of thrombin through exosite I to factor V activation intermediates may regulate their conversion to factor Va and that similar binding of thrombin to the factor Va produced may reflect a mode of interaction involved in the regulation of prothrombin activation.     

Role of the N-terminal epidermal growth factor-like domain of factor X/Xa

The functional importance of the N-terminal epidermal growth factor-like domain (EGF-N) of factor X/Xa (FX/Xa) was investigated by constructing an FX mutant in which the exon coding for EGF-N was deleted from FX cDNA. Following expression and purification to homogeneity, the mutant was characterized with respect to its ability to function as a zymogen for either the factor VIIa-tissue factor complex or the factor IXa-factor VIIIa complex and then to function as an enzyme in the prothrombinase complex to catalyze the conversion of prothrombin to thrombin. It was discovered that EGF-N is essential for the recognition and efficient activation of FX by both activators in the presence of the cofactors. On the other hand, the FXa mutant interacted with factor Va with a normal apparent dissociation constant and activated prothrombin with approximately 3-fold lower catalytic efficiency in the prothrombinase complex. Surprisingly, the mutant activated prothrombin with approximately 12-fold better catalytic efficiency than wild-type FXa in the absence of factor Va. The mutant was inactive in both prothrombin time and activated partial thromboplastin time assays; however, it exhibited a similar specific activity in a one-stage FXa clotting assay. These results suggest that EGF-N of FX is required for the cofactor-dependent zymogen activation by both physiological activators, but it plays no apparent role in FXa recognition of the cofactor in the prothrombinase complex.     

Binding of substrate in two conformations to human prothrombinase drives consecutive cleavage at two sites in prothrombin

Thrombin formation results from cleavage of prothrombin following Arg(271) and Arg(320). Both bonds are accessible for cleavage, yet the sequential action of prothrombinase on Arg(320) followed by Arg(271) is implied by the intermediate observed during prothrombin activation. We have studied the individual cleavage reactions catalyzed by prothrombinase by using a series of recombinant derivatives: wild type prothrombin (II(WT)) contained both cleavage sites; II(Q271) contained a single cleavable site at Arg(320); II(Q320) and II(A320) contained a single cleavable site at Arg(271); and II(QQ) was resistant to cleavage. Cleavage at Arg(320) in II(Q271) could account for the initial cleavage reaction leading to the consumption of either plasma prothrombin or II(WT), whereas cleavage at Arg(271) in either II(Q320) or II(A320) was found to be approximately 30-fold slower. Equivalent kinetic constants were obtained for three of the four possible half-reactions. Slow cleavage at Arg(271) in intact prothrombin resulted from an approximately 30-fold reduction in V(max). Thus, the observed pathway of bond cleavage by prothrombinase can be explained by the kinetic constants for the four possible individual cleavage reactions. II(Q320) was a competitive inhibitor of II(Q271) cleavage, and II(QQ) was a competitive inhibitor for each reaction with K(i) approximately K(m). The data are inconsistent with previous proposals and suggest a model in which substrates for each of the four possible half-reactions bind in a mutually exclusive manner and with equal affinity to prothrombinase in a cleavage site-independent way. Despite equivalent exosite binding interactions between all four possible substrates and the enzyme, we propose that ordered bond cleavage results from the constraints associated with the binding of substrates in one of two conformations to a single form of prothrombinase.     

Monoclonal antibody light chain with prothrombinase activity

Prothrombin is the precursor of thrombin, a central enzyme in coagulation. Autoantibodies to prothrombin are associated with thromboembolism, but the mechanisms by which the antibodies modulate the coagulation processes are not understood. We screened a panel of 34 monoclonal antibody light chains isolated from patients with multiple myeloma for prothrombinase activity by an electrophoresis method. Two light chains with the activity were identified, and one of the light chains was characterized further. The prothrombinase activity eluted from a gel-filtration column run in denaturing solvent (6 M guanidine hydrochloride) at the characteristic positions of the light chain dimer and monomer. A constant level of catalytic activity was observed across the width of the light chain monomer peak, assessed as the cleavage of IEGR-methylcoumarinamide, a peptide substrate corresponding to residues 268-271 of prothrombin. Hydrolysis of this peptide by the light chain was saturable and consistent with Michaelis-Menten-Henri kinetics (K(m) 103 microM; k(cat) of 2.62 x 10(-)(2)/min). Four cleavage sites in prothrombin were identified by N-terminal sequencing of the fragments: Arg(155)-Ser(156), Arg(271)-Thr(272), Arg(284)-Thr(285), and Arg(393)-Ser(394). The light chain did not cleave radiolabeled albumin, thyroglobulin, and annexin V under conditions that readily permitted detectable prothrombin cleavage. Two prothrombin fragments (M(r) 55 000 and 38 000), were isolated by anion-exchange chromatography and were observed to cleave a thrombin substrate, tosyl-GPR-nitroanilide. Conversion of fibrinogen to fibrin was accelerated by the prothrombin fragments generated by the light chain. These finding suggest a novel mechanism whereby antibodies can induce a procoagulant state, i.e., prothrombin activation via cleavage of the molecule.     

Completed three-dimensional model of human coagulation factor va. Molecular dynamics simulations and structural analyses

Factor Va is the critical cofactor for prothrombinase assembly required for timely and efficient prothrombin activation. In the absence of a complete crystal structure for the cofactor, Pellequer et al. [(2000) Thromb. Haemostasis 84, 849-857] proposed an incomplete homology model of factor Va (it lacks 46 amino acids from the carboxyl terminus of the heavy chain), which is a static model in a vacuum. A recently published X-ray structure of activated protein C (APC) inactivated bovine factor Va(i) (without the A2 domain) suggests a completely new arrangement of the C1 and C2 domains as compared with the previously published structure of the recombinant C1 and C2 domains. Our aims were (a) to exchange the C1 and C2 domains of the homology model with the modified bovine C1 and C2 domains using the X-ray structure as a template, (b) to determine by computation the three-dimensional model for the carboxyl-terminal peptide of the factor Va heavy chain (Ser(664)-Arg(709)) and incorporate it into the incomplete model, (c) to obtain a complete model of the cofactor folded in solution that might account for its physiological functions and interactions with other components of prothrombinase, and (d) to use the model in order to understand the mechanism of factor Va inactivation by APC. In the first step a sequence alignment of the human and bovine C1 and C2 domains was performed followed by amino acid changes in the three-dimensional structure where the sequences were not identical. The new model of the C1 and C2 domains was then attached to the homology model. The analysis of the MD simulation data revealed that several domains of the cofactor were significantly displaced during simulation. Using our completed model of human factor Va, we are also demonstrating for the first time that cleavage of membrane-bound normal factor Va as well as membrane-bound factor V(LEIDEN) by APC at Arg(306) is required for the dissociation of the A2 domain from the rest of the molecule. Thus, differences in the inactivation rates of the two cofactor molecules are due to differences in the rate of cleavage at Arg(306). The data demonstrate that our model represents the foundation for the establishment of a complete prothrombinase complex model, which might be successful in describing accurately the ternary protein-protein interaction and thus accounts for experimental observations.     

Removal of B-domain sequences from factor V rather than specific proteolysis underlies the mechanism by which cofactor function is realized

Factor V, the precursor of factor Va, circulates in plasma with little or no procoagulant activity. Activity is generated following limited proteolysis indicating that the conversion of factor V to factor Va results in appropriate structural changes, which impart cofactor function. We have produced recombinant partial B-domain-truncated derivatives of factor V (FV(des811-1491) and FV(des811-1491) with Arg(709) and Arg(1545) mutated to Gln) to investigate whether discrete proteolysis within the B-domain followed by a conformational transition is responsible for activation. Direct binding fluorescence measurements as well as steady-state kinetic assays were employed to assess the ability of these factor V derivatives to assemble and function in prothrombinase. In contrast to human factor V, single-chain B-domain-truncated factor V bound to FXa membranes with an affinity that was identical to factor Va. Additionally, it was found that, once this modified derivative was assembled in prothrombinase, it functioned in an equivalent manner to factor Va. Taken together these data support the hypothesis that proteolysis within the B-domain of factor V, although necessary, is incidental to the mechanism by which cofactor function is realized. Instead, our results are more consistent with the interpretation that proteolytic activation of factor V simply eliminates steric and/or conformational constraints contributed by the B-domain that otherwise interfere with discrete binding interactions that govern the eventual function of factor Va.