ABSTRACT
Protein C inhibitor (PCI) is a serine protease inhibitor and was originally identified
as an inhibitor of activated protein C (APC). However, PCI is not specific for APC
and also inhibits several proteases involved in coagulation, fibrinolysis, cancer,
wound healing, and fertility. The biological function of PCI is unknown due to broad
enzyme specificity, its wide tissue distribution, and the lack of a suitable animal
model. This review highlights the specific roles of PCI in the areas of hemostasis
and thrombosis and fertilization, and it also describes the latest information on
the fascinating participation of the protein in intracellular processes, phospholipid
binding, and killing of bacteria.
KEYWORDS
Protein C inhibitor - SERPIN - inhibition
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e1000698
Joost C.M. MeijersPh.D.
Experimental Vascular Medicine, G1-143, Academic Medical Center
Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Email: j.c.meijers@amc.uva.nl