Characterization and cDNA cloning of a platelet aggregation inhibitor

A novel platelet aggregation inhibitor, sal-C, was purified to homogeneity from the venom of Korean snake (Agkistrodon halys brevicaudus). Several lines of experimental evidence clearly indicated that sal-C inhibits not only the collagen-induced platelet aggregation, but also the aggregation mediated by the cell surface glycoprotein IIb-IIIa (GP IIb-IIIa). We have isolated the cDNA encoding sal-C from the cDNA library of the snake venom gland and analyzed its complete nucleotide sequence. Sal-C is a single-chain polypeptide composed of 212 amino acids including 24 cysteines. The deduced polypeptide sequence of sal-C demonstrated considerable homology to previously described protein species of the collagen-induced platelet aggregation inhibitor family. Sal-C does not have the Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) motif, but contains the Ser-Glu-Cys-Asp sequence. Interestingly, sal-C was found to inhibit GP IIb-IIIa binding to immobilized fibrinogen which is antagonized by the typical RGD motif of disintegrins.