Inhibitory effect of activated protein C on activation of prothrombin by platelet-bound factor Xa.

Factor Xa binds to a receptor available on the platelet surface after the release reaction. The receptor consists of phospholipid and factor V. Factor Xa bound to the receptor catalyses the activation of prothrombin effectively. The effects of bovine protein C, a vitamin-K-dependent zymogen of a serine protease, on prothrombin activation by platelet-bound bovine factor Xa has been studied. Protein C was found to be activated (protein Ca) by thrombin formed in the prothrombin-platelet-factor Xa incubation. Protein Ca in contrast to the zymogen, protein C, or protein Ca inactivated with diisopropylphosphofluoridate inhibited prothrombin activation by factor Xa in the presence of platelets. protein Ca was found to destroy the receptor by proteolysis whereas direct binding of protein Ca to the receptor could not be demonstrated. The inhibition by protein Ca could be monitored as a parallel decrease in factor Xa binding and prothrombin activation. The receptor was protected by factor Xa from proteolysis by protein Ca. Protein Ca was also found to inhibit the interaction between prothrombin and the factor Xa platelet receptor. These results indicate that protein C after activation may have a role as a regulator of prothrombin activation in vivo.