Inhibition of Hageman factor (factor XII) by popcorn inhibitor.

A protein derived from sweet corn or popcorn inhibits the enzymatic activity of the carboxy-terminal fragment of Hageman factor (HFf) and of ellagic acid-activated Hageman factor (HF, factor XII). Not clarified is whether the inhibitor is directed at the active site of HF. Filtration of normal plasma or purified HF through columns of popcorn inhibitor bound to agarose gels demonstrated that HF was bound to these gels and could then be eluted by buffers containing 2.0 mol/L sodium chloride. The eluted HF was in the precursor form. Thus, popcorn inhibitor appeared to attach to a point on the carboxy-terminal HFf that was distinct from the enzymatically active site of this clotting factor.