Current Protein and Peptide Science - Volume 3, Issue 3, 2002

Dysfibrinogens can be grossly divided in two groups: (1) defective thrombin-catalyzed conversion of fibrinogen molecules to fibrin monomers, and (2) defective fibrin polymerization due to structural alterations in polymerization sites, that include “A” and “a” sites, end-to-end D:D abutment surfaces, and lateral association sites involving the carboxyl terminal region of the fibrin α-chain. Recently, a number of mutations in the Read More

Hemostasis and thrombosis are highly complex and coordinated interfacial responses to vascular injury. In recent years, atomic force microscopy (AFM) has proven to be a very useful approach for studying hemostatic processes under near physiologic conditions. In this report, we review recent progress in the use of AFM for studying hemostatic processes, including molecular level visualization of plasma proteins, protein Read More

The blood coagulation cascade can be considered as a system of well-orchestrated protein activation reactions involving and leading to the formation of large macromolecular assemblies. NMR investigations performed during the last six years have focused on the structural, motional and binding properties of some protein domains and interfaces critical for the formation of these protein complexes, outlining sophistica Read More

Factor VII is the coagulation protease responsible for starting a cascade of proteolytic events that lead to thrombin generation, fibrin deposition, and platelet activation. As such, FVII has attracted wide interest as a target for clinical anti-coagulant applications. Commensurate with the critical importance of maintaining balance between thrombosis and hemostasis and its place at the beginning of the coagulation process, FVII is Read More

The role of von Willebrand factor (VWF) in blocking hemorrhage is centered on its ability to act as a bridging adhesive molecule between platelets and components of the extracellular matrix or other platelets. In the course of chronic vascular diseases, moreover, the same properties of VWF may become the cause of pathological thrombus formation leading to arterial occlusion. There is convincing evidence that VWF function Read More

The large, multifunctional proteins Factors V and VIII are cofactors in the coagulation cascade and possess a similar domain structure, A1-A2-B-A3-C1-C2. The C domains are related to the discoidin protein family, while the A domains are homologous to the copper-binding protein ceruloplasmin. After proteolytic activation, Factors V and VIII behave as peripheral membrane proteins, binding to negatively charged membranes cont Read More

Structural and theoretical analyses of proteins are central to the understanding of complex molecular mechanisms and are fundamental to the drug discovery process. Computational techniques yield useful insights into an ever-wider range of biomolecular systems. Protein three-dimensional structures and molecular functions can be predicted in some circumstances, while experimental structures can be analyzed in depth via Read More