Ontology highlight
ABSTRACT:
SUBMITTER: Zhang X
PROVIDER: S-EPMC2753189 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Jun
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
Zhang Xiaohui X Halvorsen Kenneth K Zhang Cheng-Zhong CZ Wong Wesley P WP Springer Timothy A TA
Science (New York, N.Y.) 20090601 5932
Von Willebrand factor (VWF) is secreted as ultralarge multimers that are cleaved in the A2 domain by the metalloprotease ADAMTS13 to give smaller multimers. Cleaved VWF is activated by hydrodynamic forces found in arteriolar bleeding to promote hemostasis, whereas uncleaved VWF is activated at lower, physiologic shear stresses and causes thrombosis. Single-molecule experiments demonstrate that elongational forces in the range experienced by VWF in the vasculature unfold the A2 domain, and only t ...[more]