Thromb Haemost 1976; 36(03): 503-508
DOI: 10.1055/s-0038-1648069
Original Article
Schattauer GmbH

Inactivation of α- and β-Thrombin by Antithrombin-III and Heparin

Raymund Machovich
1   Postgraduate Medical School, First Department of Medicine, 1389 Budapest
2   Institute of Biochemistry, Biological Research Center of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, 6701 Szeged, Hungary
,
György Blaskó
1   Postgraduate Medical School, First Department of Medicine, 1389 Budapest
2   Institute of Biochemistry, Biological Research Center of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, 6701 Szeged, Hungary
,
Anna Borsodi
1   Postgraduate Medical School, First Department of Medicine, 1389 Budapest
2   Institute of Biochemistry, Biological Research Center of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, 6701 Szeged, Hungary
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Received 30 March 1976

Accepted 20 July 1976

Publication Date:
03 July 2018 (online)

Summary

Inactivation of α- and β-thrombin by antithrombin-III and heparin was studied, since it had been suggested that two forms of thrombin exist with respect to heparin sensitivity (Machovich 1975b).

It was found that the inactivation rates of α- and β-thrombin by antithrombin were different, namely α-thrombin was more sensitive to antithrombin than β-thrombin. Heparin facilitated the complex formation between α-thrombin and antithrombin-III, whereas β-thrombin inactivation was only slightly affected.

Furthermore, heparin protected α-thrombin against the inactivating effect of heat, while β-thrombin lost its activity during the heat treatment.

These findings suggest that the formation of β-thrombin in blood circulation may have an important role in thrombosis predisposition.