Molecular biology of proteins involved in blood coagulation

Normal hemostasis in humans requires the interaction of a large number of plasma glycoproteins with blood platelets and vascular endothelial cells. Many of the plasma glycoproteins which participate in blood coagulation are zymogens of enzymes that interact in a stepwise manner in a series of reactions. In the last years most of these glycoproteins have been purified from human plasma by standard techniques. Some of them are used as therapeutics for restoring coagulation disorders. The knowledge about the plasma proteins involved in blood coagulation was greatly increased after cloning and sequencing of the respective complementary DNAs. Furthermore, recombinant DNA technology is used for the alternative production of several coagulation factors. It is the aim of this article to give an overview about the molecular biology of the enzymes and cofactors involved in blood coagulation.