Summary
The fibrinogen γ-module has several important sites relating to fibri-nogen function,
which include the high affinity calcium binding site, hole ‘a’ that binds with knob
‘A’, and the D:D interface. Residue γAla341, which is located in the vicinity of these
sites, is altered in three variant fibrinogens: fibrinogen Seoul (γAla341Asp), Tolaga
Bay (γAla341Val), and Lyon III (γAla341Thr). In order to investigate the impaired
polymerisation of fibrinogens γAla341Asp and γAla341Val to understand the role of
γAla341 in fibrin polymerisation and fibrinogen synthesis, we have expressed γAla341Asp
and γAla341Val in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells, purified these fibrinogens from
the culture media and performed biochemical tests to elucidate their function. Expression
in CHO cells was similar for these variants. For both variants the kinetics of thrombin-catalysed
FpA release was not different from normal fibrinogen, while FpB release was slower
than that of normal. Thrombin-catalysed polymerisation of both variants was dependent
on the calcium concentration. At physiologic calcium (1 mM) the variants showed impaired
polymerisation with a longer lag period and a slower Vmax than normal fibrinogen. Scanning electron micrographs showed the clots were less
organised than normal, having thicker and more twisted fibers, and larger pores. Analysis
by SDS-PAGE showed that factor XIIIa-catalysed γ and α chain cross-linking was delayed,
and plas-min-catalysed lysis was not reduced by the presence of 5 mM calcium or 5
mM GPRP (Gly-Pro-Arg-Pro). Our data indicate that fibrinogen residue γAla341 is important
for the proper conformation of the γ-module, maintaining calcium-binding site and
‘A-a’ interactions.
Keywords
Dysfibrinogenemia - γAla341 - γ-module - calcium binding - GPRP binding - ‘A-a’ interaction