Evidence for a factor promoting the conversion of VWF from low and intermediate to high molecular mass polymers on the platelet membrane.
On the membrane surface of resting platelets exists a factor capable of promoting the conversion of plasma von Willebrand factor from low and intermediate molecular mass to high molecular mass polymers. The process is accompanied by a parallel increase in the von Willebrand factor activity. This could be a regulatory system for the molecular mass distribution of von Willebrand factor during its lifetime in plasma. Glycoprotein Ib of the platelet membrane appears not to be involved in the process.
Ferri
A
A
Istituto di Chimica Biologica, Università degli Studi, Ferrara, Italy.
Guerra
S
S
Gemmati
D
D
Chiozzi
P
P
D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000378:metabolism*; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000378:metabolism; D004586:Electrophoresis; D006801:Humans; D008970:Molecular Weight; D012310:Ristocetin / Q000378:metabolism; D014841:von Willebrand Factor / Q000378:metabolism*
D014841:von Willebrand Factor; D012310:Ristocetin