Activation of von Willebrand factor via mechanical unfolding of its discontinuous autoinhibitory module.
Nat Commun
; 12(1): 2360, 2021 04 21.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-33883551
Von Willebrand factor (VWF) activates in response to shear flow to initiate hemostasis, while aberrant activation could lead to thrombosis. Above a critical shear force, the A1 domain of VWF becomes activated and captures platelets via the GPIb-IX complex. Here we show that the shear-responsive element controlling VWF activation resides in the discontinuous autoinhibitory module (AIM) flanking A1. Application of tensile force in a single-molecule setting induces cooperative unfolding of the AIM to expose A1. The AIM-unfolding force is lowered by truncating either N- or C-terminal AIM region, type 2B VWD mutations, or binding of a ristocetin-mimicking monoclonal antibody, all of which could activate A1. Furthermore, the AIM is mechanically stabilized by the nanobody that comprises caplacizumab, the only FDA-approved anti-thrombotic drug to-date that targets VWF. Thus, the AIM is a mechano-regulator of VWF activity. Its conformational dynamics may define the extent of VWF autoinhibition and subsequent activation under force.
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Von Willebrand Factor
Type of study:
Prognostic_studies
Limits:
Humans
Language:
En
Journal:
Nat Commun
Journal subject:
BIOLOGIA
/
CIENCIA
Year:
2021
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Country of publication: