The factor VIII protein and its function

Acta Biochim Pol. 2016;63(1):11-16. doi: 10.18388/abp.2015_1056. Epub 2016 Jan 28.

Abstract

Factor VIII (FVIII), an essential blood coagulation protein, is a key component of the fluid phase blood coagulation system. Human factor VIII is a single chain of about 300 kDa consisting of domains described as A1-A2-B-A3-C1-C2. The protein undergoes processing prior to secretion into blood resulting in a heavy chain of 200 kDa (A1-A2-B) and a light chain of 80 kDa (A3-C1-C2) linked by metal ions. The role of factor VIII is to increase the catalytic efficiency of factor IXa in the activation of factor X. Variants of these factors lead frequently also to severe bleeding disorders.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Factor VIII / chemistry
  • Factor VIII / metabolism
  • Factor VIII / physiology*
  • Hemophilia A / blood
  • Hemophilia A / physiopathology
  • Humans
  • Models, Molecular

Substances

  • Factor VIII