Carboxy-terminal-extended variant of the human fibrinogen α subunit: A novel exon conferring marked homology to β and γ subunits

Yiping Fu, Lawrence Weissbach, Patricia W. Plant, Carole Oddoux, Yan Cao, T. Jake Liang, Samar N. Roy, Colvin M. Redman, Gerd Grieninger

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

60 Scopus citations

Abstract

Similarities between the N-terminal regions of the three subunits of the clotting protein fibrinogen - (αβγ)2 - suggest that they evolved from a common progenitor. However, to date no human a chain has been found with the strong C-terminal homology shared by the β and γ chains. Here we examine the natural product of a novel fibrinogen α chain transcript bearing a separate open reading frame that supplies the missing C-terminal homology to the other chains. Additional splicing leads to the use of this extra sequence as a sixth exon elongating the a chain by 35%. Since the extended α chain (αE) is assembled into fibrinogen molecules and its synthesis is enhanced by interleukin-6, it suggests participation in both the acute phase response and normal physiology.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)11968-11972
Number of pages5
JournalBiochemistry®
Volume31
Issue number48
StatePublished - 1992
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Biochemistry

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