Investigation of the heparin-thrombin interaction by dynamic force spectroscopy.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The interaction between heparin and thrombin is a vital step in the blood (anti)coagulation process. Unraveling the molecular basis of the interactions is therefore extremely important in understanding the mechanisms of this complex biological process.

Methods

In this study, we use a combination of an efficient thiolation chemistry of heparin, a self-assembled monolayer-based single molecule platform, and a dynamic force spectroscopy to provide new insights into the heparin-thrombin interaction from an energy viewpoint at the molecular scale.

Results

Well-separated single molecules of heparin covalently attached to mixed self-assembled monolayers are demonstrated, whereby interaction forces with thrombin can be measured via atomic force microscopy-based spe

SUBMITTER: Wang C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4398634 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature