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Amino acid sequence and inhibitory activity of rhesus monkey tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI): comparison with

S Kamei1, Y Kamikubo, T Hamuro

  • 1Chemo-Sero-Therapeutic Research Institute, Kumamoto.

Insights

Researchers cloned Rhesus monkey tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI) cDNA, finding conserved domains but some substitutions compared to human TFPI. Recombinant monkey TFPI showed similar inhibitory activity to human TFPI, despite a truncated carboxyl-terminal region.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Molecular Biology
  • Primate Genetics

Background:

  • Tissue Factor Pathway Inhibitor (TFPI) is a key regulator of the extrinsic coagulation pathway.
  • Understanding TFPI structure and function across species aids in developing anticoagulants.
  • Rhesus monkey TFPI has not been extensively characterized compared to human TFPI.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To clone and sequence Rhesus monkey TFPI cDNA.
  • To characterize the recombinant monkey TFPI (rTFPI) and compare its inhibitory activity with human TFPI.

Main Methods:

  • Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to clone monkey TFPI cDNA from liver mRNA.
  • Nucleotide sequencing was performed on five independent clones.
  • Recombinant monkey TFPI was expressed in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells.
  • Amino acid sequence analysis, immunoblotting, and functional assays were conducted.

Main Results:

  • Rhesus monkey TFPI cDNA was successfully cloned and sequenced, revealing a 28-amino acid signal peptide and a 276-amino acid mature protein.
  • Three and seventeen amino acid substitutions were noted compared to human TFPI, though critical domains (cysteine residues, N-linked glycosylation sites, Kunitz inhibitor domains) were conserved.
  • Recombinant monkey TFPI exhibited a truncated carboxyl-terminal basic region.
  • Monkey rTFPI showed slightly greater prolongation of prothrombin time in human plasma compared to human rTFPI.
  • No significant differences in the inhibition of Factor Xa and the tissue factor-factor VIIa complex were observed between human and monkey rTFPI.

Conclusions:

  • Rhesus monkey TFPI shares significant structural homology with human TFPI, particularly in critical functional domains.
  • The truncated carboxyl-terminal region of monkey rTFPI does not substantially impair its inhibitory potency against Factor Xa and the TF-FVIIa complex.
  • These findings provide valuable insights into TFPI evolution and potential cross-species applications in anticoagulant research.

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