Heparin and concanavalin A interaction as a model for studying the mechanism of the anticoagulant activity

A systematic study of the role of the Ca2+ and Mn2+ ions on the interaction between heparin and Concanavalin A was carried out. The protein was demetallized, and complex formation was followed by a light scattering assay. In the absence of ions no visible interaction was detected. Maximum activity was obtained when Mn2+ ions were added. A similar effect was observed when Ca2+ ions alone were used. Kinetics of the interaction in the presence of optimal Mn2+ and(or) Ca2+ concentrations confirmed the role of Ca2+ in accelerating a conformational change leading to a functional protein. A peculiar effect of activation-inhibition depending on ion concentration was also exhibited by Ca2+. These results confirm that Ca2+ and Mn2+ can occupy both sites on Concanavalin A and activate the protein for binding heparin. They point also to a crucial role of Ca2+ in the binding capacity of the active heparin fraction.