Carbohydrate Structure in Factor VIII

Summary

The work described in this paper provides new evidence that factor VIII is a glycoprotein, based upon a study of inactivation of the factor using extracts of Trichomonas foetus. Such extracts contain powerful enzymes which, it is shown, will destroy factor VIII activity. Furthermore, this destruction can be inhibited by glycoproteins or by certain sugars and when these reactions are examined it is possible to show that the action of T. foetus extracts upon factor VIII is one of glycolysis and hence that factor VIII is a glycoprotein. No similarity is found between the carbohydrate structure in factor VIII and that in blood group substances. In addition, no parallel has yet been found between the reaction of factor VIII with T. foetus extracts and the reaction of factor VIII with its antibody.

• References

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