What question did this study set out to answer?

To determine the molecular weight and subunit polypeptide composition of purified bovine thrombin and its primary autolysis cleavage products.

December 1, 1969Journal of Biological ChemistryOpen Access

The Molecular Weights of Bovine Thrombin and Its Primary Autolysis Products

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KMKenneth G. MannVascular / Pulmonary Vascular CBCarrie BattRoswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center

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Implication

Biophysical analysis demonstrates multi-chain subunit structures in bovine thrombin, suggesting prothrombin activation involves sequential polypeptide cleavages linked by disulfide bridges.

Key Points

To determine the molecular weight and subunit polypeptide composition of purified bovine thrombin and its primary autolysis cleavage products.
Evaluated two highly purified bovine thrombin preparations possessing identical specific activities and amino acid profiles using electrophoresis, sedimentation-equilibrium ultracentrifugation, and gel filtration in 6 M guanidinium chloride.
Analyzed both native enzymes and fully reduced, carboxymethylated derivatives to characterize intact molecular sizes and individual subunit chain weights.
One thrombin preparation demonstrated an unreduced molecular weight of 28,000 ± 1,400, yielding reduced subunit chains ranging from 6,000 to 33,000 Da with major components at 21,000, 14,000, and 10,000 Da.
A second preparation exhibited an unreduced molecular weight of 36,700, yielding primarily a continuous 33,000 Da chain upon reduction alongside smaller autolytic fragments.
Activation of prothrombin proceeds via generation of a continuous 33,000 Da chain followed by autolytic cleavages into active two-chain (21,000 and 10,000 Da) and three-chain (14,000, 10,000, and 6,000 Da) forms interconnected by disulfide bonds.

Cite This Study

Mann et al. (1969) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a80bb2604b22a52ede4ac22 https://doi.org/10.1016/s0021-9258(18)63500-8

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Implication

Biophysical analysis demonstrates multi-chain subunit structures in bovine thrombin, suggesting prothrombin activation involves sequential polypeptide cleavages linked by disulfide bridges.

The Molecular Weights of Bovine Thrombin and Its Primary Autolysis Products

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Implication

Key Points

Cite This Study

The Molecular Weights of Bovine Thrombin and Its Primary Autolysis Products

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Key Points

Cite This Study

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