scholarly journals Vitamin K-dependent protein S in Leydig cells of human testis

1994 ◽  
Vol 302 (3) ◽  
pp. 845-850 ◽  
Author(s):  
J Malm ◽  
X H He ◽  
A Bjartell ◽  
L Shen ◽  
P A Abrahamsson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin K ◽  
Leydig Cells ◽  
Regulatory Protein ◽  
Activated Protein C ◽  
Protein S ◽  
Northern Blotting ◽  
Human Testis ◽  
Liver Protein ◽  
Local Synthesis ◽  
Dependent Protein

Protein S is an anticoagulant plasma protein, functioning as a cofactor to activated protein C in the regulation of blood coagulation. In addition, protein S forms a complex with the complement regulatory protein, C4b-binding protein. Protein S is unique among the vitamin K-dependent proteins in being structurally similar to androgen binding proteins. Protein S immunoreactivity was demonstrated in Leydig cells of human testis. In Northern blotting experiments, the presence of protein S mRNA in human testis tissue could be shown. In situ hybridization experiments localized protein S mRNA to the Leydig cells, demonstrating transcription of the protein S gene in these cells. Five protein S clones were isolated from a human testis cDNA library, partially sequenced and characterized by restriction enzyme mapping. Three unique clones contained information for the entire coding sequence and approximately two-thirds of the 5′ and 3′ non-coding sequences. The results indicate the nucleotide sequences of testis and liver protein S mRNA to be identical. No binding of androgens to protein S could be demonstrated. In conclusion, we demonstrate the presence of protein S immunoreactivity as well as protein S mRNA in the Leydig cells of human testis. These results suggest local synthesis of protein S in Leydig cells of human testis which may be functionally important for local anticoagulation.

scholarly journals The gene encoding vitamin K-dependent anticoagulant protein C is expressed in human male reproductive tissues.

1995 ◽  
Vol 43 (6) ◽  
pp. 563-570 ◽  
Author(s):  
X He ◽  
L Shen ◽  
A Bjartell ◽  
J Malm ◽  
H Lilja ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin K ◽  
Leydig Cells ◽  
Protein C ◽  
Protein S ◽  
Northern Blotting ◽  
Human Testis ◽  
Post Translational Modification ◽  
Reproductive Tissues ◽  
Human Male ◽  
Dependent Protein

Protein C is a vitamin K-dependent protein circulating in plasma as a zymogen to an anticoagulant serine protease. After its activation, protein C cleaves and inactivates coagulation factors Va and VIIIa. Human protein C is synthesized in liver and undergoes extensive post-translational modification during its synthesis. Recently, the protein C inhibitor was demonstrated to be synthesized in several organs of the human male reproductive tract. Moreover, vitamin K-dependent protein S, which functions as a co-factor to activated protein C, was found to be synthesized in the Leydig cells of human testis. The aim of this study was to elucidate whether the protein C gene is also expressed in the male reproductive system. Specific immunostaining of protein C was found in Leydig cells of human testis, in the excretory epithelium of epididymis, and in some epithelial glands of the prostate, whereas no immunostaining was detected in seminal vesicles. Northern blotting and non-radioactive in situ hybridization demonstrated protein C mRNA in Leydig cells, in the excretory epithelium of epididymis, and in some of the epithelial glands of the prostate. The mRNA was distributed perinuclearly and the localization was in accordance with the specific immunostaining for protein C. The epithelium of epididymis was also found to contain both protein S mRNA and immunoreactivity. The demonstration of both protein C and protein S immunoreactivities, as well as their mRNAs, in male reproductive tissues suggests as yet unknown local functions for these proteins.

LOW TOTAL PROTEIN S ANTIGEN BUT HIGH PROTEIN S ACTIVITY DUE TO DECREASED C4b-BINDING PROTEIN (C4b-BP) LEVELS IN NEWBORNS

1987 ◽  
Author(s):  
H P Schwarz ◽  
W Muntean
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin K ◽  
Limit Of Detection ◽  
Polyclonal Antibodies ◽  
Regulatory Protein ◽  
Activated Protein C ◽  
Protein S ◽  
Bleeding Risk ◽  
Free Form ◽  
Classical Complement Pathway ◽  
Coagulation Proteins

Vitamin K-dependent coagulation proteins are known to be decreased in the neonatal period. So far no data have been published on protein S (PS), the vitamin K-dependent cofactor for the antithrombotic enzyme, activated protein C (APC) in this period. We determined, therefore, PS antigen, PS activity and C4b-BP,a regulatory protein of the classical complement pathway to which PS is complexed, in 36 neonates. Total PS antigen in newborns was below the range associated with thromboembolism in patients congenitally deficient in this protein (22±9.6%, mean±SD). None of these infants had clinical or laboratory evidence of thromboembolism or DIC. In contrast to the PS antigen level PS activity measured by the ability of APC to prolong the clotting time of a modified APTT assay using PS-immunodep1eted plasma was significantly higher (77.6±14%, mean±SD, p< 0,001), suggesting a shift in PS to the free form. In fact two dimensional immunoe1ectrophoresis studies revealed the absence of protein S-C4b-BP complexes and only one precipitation indicating free PS was seen in 15 out of the 36 infants. In these 15 neonates C4b-BP was below the limit of detection by sensitive quantitative immunob1otting techniques using monoclonal or polyclonal antibodies. In the remaining 21 infants PS-C4b-BP complexes were detected, but in contrast to adult normal plasma approximately 80% of PS was found in the free form. Mixing experiments with normal human plasma and newborn’s plasma indicate that PS in neonate deficient of C4b-BP can bind normally to C4bp. Absence of C4b-BP did not correlate to gestational age. If an equilibrium distribution of PS between bound and free form regulates the cofactor activity of PS for the anticoagulant and profibrino 1ytic properties of APC in normal adults, our study demonstrates that the absence of PS-C4b-BP complexes in newborns and the presence of free PS only may contribute to the increased bleeding risk of premature infants.

scholarly journals The gene encoding vitamin K-dependent anticoagulant protein S is expressed in multiple rabbit organs as demonstrated by northern blotting, in situ hybridization, and immunohistochemistry.

1995 ◽  
Vol 43 (1) ◽  
pp. 85-96 ◽  
Author(s):  
X He ◽  
L Shen ◽  
A Bjartell ◽  
B Dahlbäck
Keyword(s):  
In Situ Hybridization ◽  
Epithelial Cells ◽  
Vitamin K ◽  
Pyramidal Neurons ◽  
Activated Protein C ◽  
Protein S ◽  
Coagulation Factors ◽  
Northern Blotting ◽  
Specific Gene

Vitamin K-dependent protein S is an anticoagulant plasma protein that functions as a co-factor to activated protein C in the degradation of coagulation factors Va and VIIIa. We investigated the tissue/cellular distribution of protein S synthesis by Northern blotting, in situ hybridization, and immunohistochemistry. Northern blotting together with in situ hybridization, using specific oligodeoxynucleotide probes, demonstrated protein S mRNA in liver, lung, testis, epididymis, ovary, uterus, and brain. In the reproductive system, protein S mRNA was present in the cytoplasm of Leydig cells, interstitial cells of the ovary, epithelial cells of the epididymis, and in the endometrium, including endometrial mucous glandular membrane in the myometrium. Bronchial epithelial cells and alveolar macrophages were positive in the respiratory system. In the central nervous system, pyramidal neurons in the cerebral cortex and in the hippocampal region, and dentate fascia neurons gave strongly positive signals. Immunohistochemistry with monoclonal antibodies yielded a staining pattern that correlated well with results of in situ hybridization. In conclusion, results from Northern blotting, in situ hybridization, and immunohistochemistry suggested that rabbit protein S is expressed in several extrahepatic tissues. The presence of protein S transcripts in these fully differentiated cells suggests a cell type-specific gene expression which may be related to local anticoagulation or to other as yet unknown protein S functions.

Protein S and C4b-Binding Protein: Components Involved in the Regulation of the Protein C Anticoagulant System

1991 ◽  
Vol 66 (01) ◽  
pp. 049-061 ◽  
Author(s):  
Björn Dahlbäck
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin K ◽  
Complement System ◽  
Protein C ◽  
Protein S ◽  
High Affinity ◽  
Anticoagulant System ◽  
Dependent Protein ◽  
The Complement System ◽  
Β Chain ◽  
Dependent Domain

SummaryThe protein C anticoagulant system provides important control of the blood coagulation cascade. The key protein is protein C, a vitamin K-dependent zymogen which is activated to a serine protease by the thrombin-thrombomodulin complex on endothelial cells. Activated protein C functions by degrading the phospholipid-bound coagulation factors Va and VIIIa. Protein S is a cofactor in these reactions. It is a vitamin K-dependent protein with multiple domains. From the N-terminal it contains a vitamin K-dependent domain, a thrombin-sensitive region, four EGF)epidermal growth factor (EGF)-like domains and a C-terminal region homologous to the androgen binding proteins. Three different types of post-translationally modified amino acid residues are found in protein S, 11 γ-carboxy glutamic acid residues in the vitamin K-dependent domain, a β-hydroxylated aspartic acid in the first EGF-like domain and a β-hydroxylated asparagine in each of the other three EGF-like domains. The EGF-like domains contain very high affinity calcium binding sites, and calcium plays a structural and stabilising role. The importance of the anticoagulant properties of protein S is illustrated by the high incidence of thrombo-embolic events in individuals with heterozygous deficiency. Anticoagulation may not be the sole function of protein S, since both in vivo and in vitro, it forms a high affinity non-covalent complex with one of the regulatory proteins in the complement system, the C4b-binding protein (C4BP). The complexed form of protein S has no APC cofactor function. C4BP is a high molecular weight multimeric protein with a unique octopus-like structure. It is composed of seven identical α-chains and one β-chain. The α-and β-chains are linked by disulphide bridges. The cDNA cloning of the β-chain showed the α- and β-chains to be homologous and of common evolutionary origin. Both subunits are composed of multiple 60 amino acid long repeats (short complement or consensus repeats, SCR) and their genes are located in close proximity on chromosome 1, band 1q32. Available experimental data suggest the β-chain to contain the single protein S binding site on C4BP, whereas each of the α-chains contains a binding site for the complement protein, C4b. As C4BP lacking the β-chain is unable to bind protein S, the β-chain is required for protein S binding, but not for the assembly of the α-chains during biosynthesis. Protein S has a high affinity for negatively charged phospholipid membranes, and is instrumental in binding C4BP to negatively charged phospholipid. This constitutes a novel mechanism for control of the complement system on phospholipid surfaces. Recent findings have shown circulating C4BP to be involved in yet another calcium-dependent protein-protein interaction with a protein known as the serum amyloid P-component (SAP). The binding sites on C4BP for protein S and SAP are independent. SAP, which is a normal constituent in plasma and in tissue, is a so-called pentraxin being composed of 5 non-covalently bound 25 kDa subunits. It is homologous to C reactive protein (CRP) but its function is not yet known. The specific high affinity interactions between protein S, C4BP and SAP suggest the regulation of blood coagulation and that of the complement system to be closely linked.

scholarly journals Vitamin K-dependent protein S is similar to rat androgen-binding protein

1987 ◽  
Vol 243 (1) ◽  
pp. 293-296 ◽  
Author(s):  
M E Baker ◽  
F S French ◽  
D R Joseph
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin K ◽  
Binding Protein ◽  
Protein A ◽  
Serine Proteinase ◽  
Protein S ◽  
Clotting Factors ◽  
The Family ◽  
Androgen Binding Protein ◽  
Dependent Protein ◽  
Androgen Binding

Vitamin K-dependent protein S belongs to the family of clotting factors (e.g. Factors IX and X, and protein C). Unlike the other clotting factors, the C-terminal half (residues 250-634) of protein S is not a serine proteinase. In fact, the function of residues 250-634 of protein S is unknown. By using computer programs designed to detect evolutionary relationships between proteins, we find that this part of protein S is similar to rat androgen-binding protein, a protein produced and secreted by testicular Sertoli cells. The homology between protein S and androgen-binding protein suggests new approaches for elucidating their functions.

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