Interaction of alpha-thrombin and prethrombin 2, with phosphatidylserine-containing monolayers

Prothrombin activation complex is located at a phospholipid surface on activated platelets. To see whether the thrombin domain of the molecule plays a role in the interaction with lipids, we investigated the direct interaction of human alpha-thrombin and its precursor prethrombin 2 with phospholipid monolayers of various compositions (PS/PC). Adsorption of the labeled proteins was determined by surface radioactivity measurements. Penetration of the proteins in the lipid layer was inferred from capacitance variation of the monolayer, measured by a.c. polarography. Disulfide bridges reduced at the electrode were determined by cyclic voltametry. In all the cases studied, although in different manners thrombin was found both to adsorb and penetrate the lipid layer, whereas prethrombin 2 did not penetrate pure phosphatidylcholine (PC). In the case of thrombin, but not of prethrombin 2, penetration is accompanied by S-S reduction which is maximum at 10 per cent of phosphatidylserine (PS). This indicates a different orientation for prethrombin 2 and thrombin in the lipid layer. This observation might be of importance for the comprehension of the architecture of the prothrombin activation complex and for the regulation of thrombin formation within the complex.