4 research outputs found
On the localization of the cleavage site in human alphaâ2âantiplasmin, involved in the generation of the nonâplasminogen binding form
Background: Alphaâ2âantiplasmin (α2AP) is the main natural inhibitor of plasmin. The Câterminus of α2AP is crucial for the initial interaction with plasmin(ogen) and the rapid inhibitory mechanism. Approximately 35% of circulating α2AP has lost its Câterminus (nonâplasminogen binding α2AP/NPBâα2AP) and thereby its rapid inhibitory capacity. The Câterminal cleavage site of α2AP is still unknown. A commercially available monoclonal antibody against α2AP (TC 3AP) detects intact but not NPBâα2AP, suggesting that the cleavage site is located Nâterminally from the epitope of TC 3AP.
Objectives: To determine the epitope of TC 3AP and then to localize the Câterminal cleavage site of α2AP.
Methods: For epitope mapping of TC 3AP, commercially available plasma purified α2AP was enzymatically digested with AspâN, GluâC, or LysâN. The resulting peptides were immunoprecipitated using TC 3APâloaded DynabeadsÂź Protein G. Bound peptides were eluted and analyzed by liquid chromatographyâtandem mass spectometry (LCâMS/MS). To localize the Câterminal cleavage site precisely, α2AP (intact and NPB) was purified from plasma and analyzed by LCâMS/MS after enzymatic digestion with ArgâC.
Results: We localized the epitope of TC 3AP between amino acid residues Asp428 and Gly439. LCâMS/MS data from plasma purified α2AP showed that NPBâα2AP results from cleavage at Gln421âAsp422 as preferred site, but also after Leu417, Glu419, Gln420, or Asp422.
Conclusions: The Câterminal cleavage site of human α2AP is located Nâterminally from the TC 3AP epitope. Because Câterminal cleavage of α2AP can occur after multiple residues, different proteases may be responsible for the generation of NPBâα2AP