Rigidification of the autolysis loop enhances Na(+) binding to thrombin.
Pozzi, N., Chen, R., Chen, Z., Bah, A., Di Cera, E.(2011) Biophys Chem 159: 6-13
- PubMed: 21536369 
- DOI: 10.1016/j.bpc.2011.04.003
- Primary Citation of Related Structures:  
3R3G - PubMed Abstract: 
Binding of Na(+) to thrombin ensures high activity toward physiological substrates and optimizes the procoagulant and prothrombotic roles of the enzyme in vivo. Under physiological conditions of pH and temperature, the binding affinity of Na(+) is weak due to large heat capacity and enthalpy changes associated with binding, and the K(d)=80 mM ensures only 64% saturation of the site at the concentration of Na(+) in the blood (140 mM) ...