title: [Protein Z, polymorphisms in the protein Z gene and thrombosis].
abstract: Protein Z (PZ) is a vitamin K dependent protein acting as the cofactor of the protein Z dependent inhibitor (ZPI), in the inhibition of activated factor X bound on the phospholipids. Normal plasma protein Z concentrations have wide variations among individuals, partly explained by a genetic control. Several protein Z gene polymorphisms influence plasma concentration, separately and in combination. The role of PZ in blood coagulation regulation has been demonstrated in vitro. The responsibility of low PZ level in the occurrence of thrombosis has been questioned. However, the roles of PZ plasma level and PZ gene polymorphisms remain debated with conflicting results in arterial, venous, or placental thrombosis. These discrepancies can be explained by the heterogeneity of populations chosen as control, by the PZ interindividual variability, by the small size of the cohorts in mainly retrospective studies and perhaps by the lack of real important influence of this protein on coagulation. PZ measurement is not actually considered as a biological marker of thrombophilia. Large prospective studies remain to be done to investigate its possible role in thrombosis.
authors.affiliation: Unité d'hémostase vasculaire, hématologie biologique, hôpital Charles-Nicolle, CHU de Rouen, EA3829, groupe de recherche MERCI, institut hospitalo-universitaire de recherche biomédicale, université de Rouen, 22, boulevard Gambetta, 76183 Rouen cedex, France. veronique.le-cam-duchez@chu-rouen.fr
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Le Cam-Duchez
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Barbay
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Soria
authors.forename: J-Y
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Borg
mesh_terms: D001798:Blood Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D002544:Cerebral Infarction / Q000235:genetics; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D001798:Blood Proteins; C026080:plasma protein Z