A simple, automated functional assay for protein C.
Protein C is an important anticoagulant in circulating blood. The balance between the procoagulant and anticoagulant pathways determines whether a patient is at risk for thrombosis or hemorrhage, and low levels of protein C may result in thrombotic disease. It is important for clinical coagulation laboratories to measure protein C. For this purpose, a simple functional assay is needed. This article describes an automated assay for functional protein C with activation by copperhead venom. The authors have automated this assay for a centrifugal analyzer (COBAS Bio) and have proved the specificity of the assay by comparing values obtained amidolytically with those obtained with a radioimmunoassay for protein C.
Department of Pathology, Beth Israel Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts 02215.
P A
PA
Walker
K A
KA
Bauer
J
J
McDonagh
D001778:Blood Coagulation Disorders / Q000097:blood; D003435:Crotalid Venoms / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000097:blood; D008722:Methods; D011486:Protein C / Q000032:analysis*; D011517:Prothrombin Time
C031442:Agkistrodon venoms; D003435:Crotalid Venoms; D011486:Protein C