Novel structure elucidation strategy for genetically abnormal fibrinogens with incomplete fibrinopeptide release as applied to fibrinogen Schwarzach.

A novel and simple strategy was developed for the structure elucidation of those genetically abnormal fibrinogens in which thrombin is unable to release fibrinopeptide A from the abnormal molecules. The method provides evidence for the Arg leads to Cys exchange at the C-terminus of the fibrinopeptide A sequence. The abnormal fibrinogen was mercaptolysed and then S-amino-ethylated. Upon thrombin digestion, the modified fibrinogen released new peptides, as shown by high-performance liquid chromatography. The amino-acid analysis proved that these peptides correspond to the expected fibrinopeptide A variants. It was therefore concluded that the analysed case of dysfibrinogenemia, designated Fibrinogen Schwarzach, contains an A alpha 16 Arg leads to Cys exchange in the heterozygous form.