title: The factor VIII complex: structure and function.
abstract: Normal human plasma contains a complex of two proteins that are important in hemostasis and coagulation. The factor VIII procoagulant protein (antihemophilic factor) and the factor VIII-related protein (von Willebrand factor) are under separate genetic control, have distinct biochemical and immunologic properties, and have unique and essential physiologic functions. While the nature of their interaction and the details of the biochemical structures remain to be determined, the information now available permits a preliminary understanding of the molecular defects in hemophilia and von Willebrand's diseases.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000917:Antibody Formation; D001777:Blood Coagulation; D001779:Blood Coagulation Factors / Q000502:physiology*; D002118:Calcium / Q000097:blood; D000939:Epitopes; D005169:Factor VIII / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology*; D006467:Hemophilia A / Q000276:immunology; D006487:Hemostasis; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000378:metabolism; D008967:Molecular Biology; D008970:Molecular Weight; D011817:Rabbits; D012310:Ristocetin; D014842:von Willebrand Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D014841:von Willebrand Factor / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D001779:Blood Coagulation Factors; D000939:Epitopes; D014841:von Willebrand Factor; D012310:Ristocetin; D005169:Factor VIII; D002118:Calcium