Thromb Haemost 2001; 86(05): 1277-1283
DOI: 10.1055/s-0037-1616062
Review Article
Schattauer GmbH

Bilinexin, a Snake C-type Lectin from Agkistrodon bilineatus Venom Agglutinates Platelets via GPIb and α2β1

Authors

  • Xiao-Yan Du

    1   Theodor Kocher Institute, University of Berne, Berne, Switzerland
  • Alexey Navdaev

    1   Theodor Kocher Institute, University of Berne, Berne, Switzerland
  • Jeannine M. Clemetson

    1   Theodor Kocher Institute, University of Berne, Berne, Switzerland
  • Edith Magnenat

    2   Serono Pharmaceutical Research Institute SA, Geneva, Switzerland
  • Timothy N. C. Wells

    2   Serono Pharmaceutical Research Institute SA, Geneva, Switzerland
  • Kenneth J. Clemetson

    1   Theodor Kocher Institute, University of Berne, Berne, Switzerland

We thank Dr. A.V. Mazurov for kindly providing VM16d anti-GPIb mAb, Dr. R. K. Andrews for helpful discussions, Dr. Xin Shi for help with the graphics and the Central Laboratory of the Swiss Red Cross Blood Transfusion Service, Berne for the supply of buffy coats. This work was supported by Grant 31-52396.97 (to K.J.C.) from the Swiss National Science Foundation.
Further Information

Publication History

Received 26 April 2001

Accepted after resubmission 20 July 2001

Publication Date:
13 December 2017 (online)

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Summary

A new snake protein, named bilinexin, has been purified from Agkistrodon bilineatus venom by ion-exchange chromatography and gel filtration chromatography. Under non-reducing conditions it has a mass of 110 kDa protein on SDS-PAGE. On reduction, it can be separated into five subunits with masses in the range 13-25 kDa. The N-terminal sequences of these subunits are very similar to those of convulxin or the alboaggregins, identifying bilinexin as a new member of the snake C-type lectin family, unusual in having multiple subunits. Bilinexin agglutinates fixed platelets, washed platelets and platelet rich plasma (PRP) without obvious activation (shape change) as confirmed by light microscope examination. Both inhibitory and binding studies indicate that antibodies against α2β1 inhibit not only platelet agglutination induced by bilinexin, but also bilinexin binding to platelets. VM16d, a monoclonal anti-GPIbα antibody, completely inhibits platelet agglutination induced by bilinexin, and polyclonal antibodies against GPIbα prevent its binding to platelets. However, neither convulxin, polyclonal anti-GPVI antibodies, nor GPIIb/IIIa inhibitors affect its binding to and agglutination of platelets. Bilinexin neither activates GPIIb/IIIa integrin on platelets nor induces tyrosine phosphorylation of platelet proteins, nor increases intracellular Ca2+ in platelets. Like alboaggregin B, bilinexin agglutinates platelets, which makes it a good tool to investigate the differences in mechanism between snake C-type lectins causing platelet agglutination and those that induce full activation.