Hamster antithrombin III: purification, characterization and acute phase response.

Antithrombin III was purified to homogeneity from hamster plasma by affinity chromatography on heparin-agrose, ion-exchange chromatography on Mono Q and size-exclusion chromatography on TSK G3000SWG column with 50% yield. The molecular mass of hamster antithrombin III was estimated at 62.5 kDa and the absorption coefficient (A280 nm 1%, 1 cm) at 6.48 (in 0.1 M sodium phosphate pH 7.0). Several isoforms of the inhibitor were detected with the pI in range of 4.95-5.25. The protein contains all residues characteristic for complex-type carbohydrate chains. The N-terminal amino acid sequence shows 84% of identity to mouse and 76% to human analogue. The hamster antithrombin III gives low immunological cross-reactivity with antibodies to human antithrombin III. Initiation of the acute phase response only slightly affected the plasma concentration of inhibitor (+/- 10% within 72-h period). The kinetic data suggest high efficiency in bovine and human thrombin inhibition. In summary, the study shows only similarities between hamster and other mammal antithrombins.