Protein C from human plasma

Preparation Note

Protein C is purified from a concentrate of pooled normal human plasma using an Anti-Protein C-Agarose column (Product No. A 0435) followed by gel filtration.

Quantity

1 vial = 100 μg protein.

Reconstitution

Reconstitute with 1 ml deionized water.

Specificity

Purified Protein C forms a closely spaced doublet at a molecular weight of 62 kDa using SDS gel electrophoresis under non-reduced conditions.

Physical form

Lyophilized from 20 mM Tris buffered saline, pH 7.4, containing 0.02% sodium azide

Biochem/physiol Actions

Protein C is a plasma, vitamin K-dependent zymogen of a serine protease that can inhibit blood coagulation by inhibiting thrombin formation, selectively inactivating factors Va and VIIIa. The Protein C anticoagulant pathway is triggered when thrombin binds to the endothelial cell proteoglycan, thrombomodulin. This complex, which cannot clot blood, is a potent activator of the protein C zymogen. Activation involves the release of a dodecapeptide from the N-terminal domain of the heavy chain. The activated Protein C (APC) then binds to protein S on cell surfaces and inactivates the coagulation factors Va and VIIIa by proteolysis. APC has also been shown to bind to receptors on the endothelium of large blood vessels.