Platelet membrane glycoprotein V: characterization of the thrombin-sensitive glycoprotein from human platelets

Human platelets contain a single membrane glycoprotein which is susceptible to thrombin proteolysis, glycoprotein V. We have purified 1 mg of glycoprotein V from 10(13) platelets using a combination of gel filtration, hydroxylapatite and ion-exchange chromatographies. Glycoprotein V has a blocked amino-terminus. Following proteolysis by human alpha-thrombin, a major fragment, termed glycoprotein Vf1, had the sequence Gly-Pro-Phe-X-Arg-Pro-Ala-Ala-Asp-Glu-Ser-Val-Glu-Ala-Pro-Val-Asn-Gln-Al a-Glu- Ala-Pro-. The purified glycoprotein was not a substrate for human gamma-thrombin. Glycoprotein V contained 17.5% carbohydrate, with the majority of the carbohydrate consisting of neutral hexoses. Deglycosylated glycoprotein V had a molecular weight of 57.5 kDa compared to the glycosylated protein's 82 kDa and the deglycosylated protein was recognized by polyclonal antibodies raised against glycoprotein V. Immunoelectrophoresis of human and rat platelets and megakaryocytes gave a single immunoreactive band, with the rat glycoprotein having a slightly larger molecular mass. Glycoprotein V is most likely an integral membrane protein.