Biomaterial Database

Human neutrophil elastase alters human alpha-thrombin function: limited proteolysis near the gamma-cleavage site results in decreased fibrinogen clotting and platelet-stimulatory activity. 1987

M S Brower, and D A Walz, and K E Garry, and J W Fenton

During blood coagulation, polymorphonuclear leukocytes release elastase in amounts that can exceed 100 nmol/L. We therefore studied the interaction between human leukocyte elastase and human alpha-thrombin. Elastase cleaved the thrombin B chain (Ala 150-Asn 151) near the gamma-cleavage site, resulting in two fragments held together by noncovalent interactions. The NH2-terminal fragment (FI), mol wt approximately 18,000, was disulfide-linked to the thrombin A chain. The COOH-terminal fragment (FII), mol wt approximately 13,000, contained the active-site serine and formed a covalent bond with antithrombin III. Heparin accelerated proteolysis of alpha-thrombin by elastase. Proteolyzed alpha-thrombin (T theta) retained full amidolytic activity; however, the concentration of T theta causing 50% maximal platelet aggregation and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) release was 7.9 nmol/L (1.1 nmol/L for alpha-thrombin and 220 nmol/L for gamma-thrombin). Fibrinogen clotting activity of T theta and gamma-thrombin was 32% and 1% that of alpha-thrombin, respectively. Elastase released during the coagulation process may modulate thrombin activity. In addition, elastase-modified thrombin may be a useful probe of the structure and function of the gamma-cleavage region.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D009504	Neutrophils	Granular leukocytes having a nucleus with three to five lobes connected by slender threads of chromatin, and cytoplasm containing fine inconspicuous granules and stainable by neutral dyes.	LE Cells,Leukocytes, Polymorphonuclear,Polymorphonuclear Leukocytes,Polymorphonuclear Neutrophils,Neutrophil Band Cells,Band Cell, Neutrophil,Cell, LE,LE Cell,Leukocyte, Polymorphonuclear,Neutrophil,Neutrophil Band Cell,Neutrophil, Polymorphonuclear,Polymorphonuclear Leukocyte,Polymorphonuclear Neutrophil
D010196	Pancreatic Elastase	A protease of broad specificity, obtained from dried pancreas. Molecular weight is approximately 25,000. The enzyme breaks down elastin, the specific protein of elastic fibers, and digests other proteins such as fibrin, hemoglobin, and albumin. EC 3.4.21.36.	Elastase,Pancreatopeptidase,Elastase I,Pancreatic Elastase I,Elastase I, Pancreatic,Elastase, Pancreatic
D010974	Platelet Aggregation	The attachment of PLATELETS to one another. This clumping together can be induced by a number of agents (e.g., THROMBIN; COLLAGEN) and is part of the mechanism leading to the formation of a THROMBUS.	Aggregation, Platelet
D001777	Blood Coagulation	The process of the interaction of BLOOD COAGULATION FACTORS that results in an insoluble FIBRIN clot.	Blood Clotting,Coagulation, Blood,Blood Clottings,Clotting, Blood
D005340	Fibrinogen	Plasma glycoprotein clotted by thrombin, composed of a dimer of three non-identical pairs of polypeptide chains (alpha, beta, gamma) held together by disulfide bonds. Fibrinogen clotting is a sol-gel change involving complex molecular arrangements: whereas fibrinogen is cleaved by thrombin to form polypeptides A and B, the proteolytic action of other enzymes yields different fibrinogen degradation products.	Coagulation Factor I,Factor I,Blood Coagulation Factor I,gamma-Fibrinogen,Factor I, Coagulation,gamma Fibrinogen
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000595	Amino Acid Sequence	The order of amino acids as they occur in a polypeptide chain. This is referred to as the primary structure of proteins. It is of fundamental importance in determining PROTEIN CONFORMATION.	Protein Structure, Primary,Amino Acid Sequences,Sequence, Amino Acid,Sequences, Amino Acid,Primary Protein Structure,Primary Protein Structures,Protein Structures, Primary,Structure, Primary Protein,Structures, Primary Protein
D000990	Antithrombin III	A plasma alpha 2 glycoprotein that accounts for the major antithrombin activity of normal plasma and also inhibits several other enzymes. It is a member of the serpin superfamily.	Heparin Cofactor I,Antithrombin III-Alpha,Atenativ,Heparin Co-Factor I,Kybernin,Serpin C1,Thrombate III,Antithrombin III Alpha,Antithrombin IIIAlpha,Cofactor I, Heparin,Heparin Co Factor I
D012694	Serine	A non-essential amino acid occurring in natural form as the L-isomer. It is synthesized from GLYCINE or THREONINE. It is involved in the biosynthesis of PURINES; PYRIMIDINES; and other amino acids.	L-Serine,L Serine
D013917	Thrombin	An enzyme formed from PROTHROMBIN that converts FIBRINOGEN to FIBRIN.	Thrombase,Thrombin JMI,Thrombin-JMI,Thrombinar,Thrombostat,alpha-Thrombin,beta,gamma-Thrombin,beta-Thrombin,gamma-Thrombin,JMI, Thrombin