Size and Shape of Human Fibrinogen in Solution

In order to obtain information on size and shape of the fibrinogen molecule in solution the translational diffusion coefficient (DT), the rotational diffusion coefficients (DR⊥ and DR//) and the sedimentation coefficients (S) have been measured on human fibrinogen with a clottaoility above 95%. The methods used were dynamic light scattering, nanosecond fluorescence depolarization and analytical ultracentrifugation. Dynamic light scattering yields DT = 2.0 ± 3% x 10-7 cm2sec–1 at a concentration of 7 mg/ml in 0.15 M Tris-NaCl, pH 7.4. DT is strongly dependent on concentration, being 3.4 ± 10% × 10-7 cm2 sec-1 at 0.1 mg/ml. The rotation along the minor axis as measured with the same method is DR = // 1.5 × 106 sec-1 at 0.1 mg/ml. The rotation along the major axis as measured on fibrinogen labeled with dansylchloride is DR// = 1.5 x106 sec–1. S is also strongly dependent on concentration, being 7.9 S at 0.1 mg/ml, 8.1 S at 1 mg/ml and 6.6 S at 10 mg/ml.These results fit with an elongated molecule having an axial ratio of 7. They are compatible with a MW of 340’000 only for concentrations above 2 mg/ml, while at lower concentrations (0.1 mg/ml) they agree with a MW of approximately half the accepted value.