Abstract
Protein C, which is produced by the liver, is a vitamin K-dependent two-chain glycoprotein with a molecular weight of 62 kd [1]. It has a short half-life of six hours [2,3] and is found in plasma in an inactive form with a concentration of 4.8 ±1.0 µg/ml. Activated protein C is a potent inhibitor of factors Va and VIIIa; in this way it functions as a regulator of coagulation. In addition, protein C stimulates fibrinolysis by inhibiting plasminogen activator-inhibitor (PAI). Protein S is also synthesized by the liver and vitamin K-dependent. It has no enzymatic activity by itself, but enhances as a cofactor protein C activity by forming a complex which promotes the inhibition of factors Va and VIIIa. Approximately 40% of circulating protein S is in the free form; the rest is inactive, being bound to the C4b-binding protein.
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© 1991 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht
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Pflugshaupt, R., Baillod, P., Etter, W., Kurt, G. (1991). Protein C and S in Swiss Blood Donors. In: Sibinga, C.T.S., Das, P.C., Mannucci, P.M. (eds) Coagulation and Blood Transfusion. Developments in Hematology and Immunology, vol 26. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-3900-1_18
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-3900-1_18
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