The binding of von Willebrand factor (vWF) to the platelet receptor, glycoprotein (GP) Ib-IX-V complex, has a key role in the initiation of thrombus formation and is regulated by interactions with extracellular matrix components under the influence of hemodynamic forces ...
The binding of von Willebrand factor (vWF) to the platelet receptor, glycoprotein (GP) Ib-IX-V complex, has a key role in the initiation of thrombus formation and is regulated by interactions with extracellular matrix components under the influence of hemodynamic forces. To a certain extent, these effects can be mimicked in vitro by two nonphysiologic modulators, ristocetin and botrocetin. The latter, isolated from the venom of the snake Bothrops jararaca, is a 31-kDa heterodimeric protein that forms a soluble complex with vWF. As an initial step toward understanding the mechanisms that regulate vWF function, we have solved the crystal structure of botrocetin at 1.8 A resolution. Botrocetin exhibits homology with other snake proteins, but contains only one metal binding site as compared to two in Factor IX binding protein and Factor IX/X binding protein and none in flavocetin. A distinctive feature of botrocetin is the presence of a negatively charged surface that may play a role in the association with the vWF A1 domain.
Organizational Affiliation:
Roon Research Center for Arteriosclerosis and Thrombosis, Division of Experimental Hemostasis and Thrombosis, Department of Molecular and Experimental Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California 92037, USA.
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