Bovine platelets that have been activated by thrombin facilitate the conversion of prothrombin to thrombin in the presence of calcium ions and factor Xa. Activated protein C, a vitamin-K-dependent plasma protein, inhibits this platelet prothrombin-converting activity. The inhibition is time dependent and is not reversed by increasing concentrations of factor Xa. However, factor Xa is able to protect the platelet prothrombin-converting activity from inactivation by activated protein C. The activated protein C causes a parallel loss of factor Xa receptor sites and platelet prothrombin-converting activity. Activated protein C may contribute to the regulation of clotting through inactivation of the platelet prothrombin-converting activity.

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Copyright © 1979 by The American Society of Hematology
1979
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