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Structure of the C2 domain of human factor VIII at 1.5 Å resolution

Nature volume 402, pages 439–442 (1999)Cite this article

Abstract

Human factor VIII is a plasma glycoprotein that has a critical role in blood coagulation1,2. Factor VIII circulates as a complex with von Willebrand factor3. After cleavage by thrombin, factor VIIIa associates with factor IXa at the surface of activated platelets or endothelial cells4,5. This complex activates factor X (refs 6, 7), which in turn converts prothrombin to thrombin in the presence of factor Va (refs 8, 9). The carboxyl-terminal C2 domain of factor VIII contains sites that are essential for its binding to von Willebrand factor and to negatively charged phospholipid surfaces4,10,11. Here we report the structure of human factor VIII C2 domain at 1.5 Å resolution. The structure reveals a β-sandwich core, from which two β-turns and a loop display a group of solvent-exposed hydrophobic residues. Behind the hydrophobic surface lies a ring of positively charged residues. This motif suggests a mechanism for membrane binding involving both hydrophobic and electrostatic interactions. The structure explains, in part, mutations in the C2 region of factor VIII that lead to bleeding disorders in haemophilia A.

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Figure 1: Ribbon diagram and proposed membrane-binding mode.
Figure 2: Molecular surface of the factor VIII C2 domain.
Figure 3: Location of haemophilia-A-associated point mutations in the factor VIII C2 domain.

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Acknowledgements

We thank J. Bolduc, R. Strong, Y.-P. Nieh, K. Zhang, L. Steward, H. Kim and A. Thompson for advice and assistance. This work was funded by the NIH.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Basic Sciences, Program in Structural Biology, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, 1100 Fairview Ave. N. A3-023, Seattle, 98109, Washington, USA

    Kathleen P. Pratt, Betty W. Shen & Barry L. Stoddard

  2. Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Box 357350, Seattle, 98195, Washington, USA

    Kathleen P. Pratt, Kazuya Takeshima, Earl W. Davie & Kazuo Fujikawa

Authors
  1. Kathleen P. Pratt
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Correspondence to Barry L. Stoddard.

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Pratt, K., Shen, B., Takeshima, K. et al. Structure of the C2 domain of human factor VIII at 1.5 Å resolution. Nature 402, 439–442 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1038/46601

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