Recognition of anionic phospholipid membranes by an antihemostatic protein from a blood-feeding insect.

ABSTRACT: The saliva of blood-feeding insects contains a variety of molecules having antihemostatic activity. Here, we describe nitrophorin 7 (NP7), a salivary protein that binds with high affinity to anionic phospholipid membranes. The protein is apparently targeted to the negatively charged surfaces of activated platelets and other cells, where it can serve as a vasodilator, antihistamine, platelet aggregation inhibitor, and anticoagulant. As with other members of the nitrophorin group, NP7 reversibly binds a molecule of NO and binds histamine with high affinity. The protein differs from other nitrophorins in that it binds to membranes containing phosphatidylserine. Sedimentation and surface plasmon resonance experiments, revealed two classes of phospholipid-binding sites having K(d) values of 4.8

SUBMITTER: Andersen JF 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2915585 | biostudies-literature | 2004 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature