The covalent differences between bovine alpha- and beta-thrombin. A structural explanation for the changes in catalytic activity.

The partial covalent structure of bovine beta-thrombin has been determined by the use of automated Edman degradation and carboxypeptidase digestion of the component polypeptide chains separated by gel filtration following either reduction and carboxymethylation or performic acid oxidation. beta-Thrombin has been found to contain three peptide chains derived by proteolysis of the parent alpha-thrombin molecule. The A chain of alpha-thrombin has been cleaved at two points yielding a peptide (A1 chain) which contains 17 amino acids, beginning with threonine 14 and ending with lysine 30. The B chain of alpha-thrombin has been cleaved at two positions to yield a B1 chain which begins with the NH2-terminal isoleucine and terminates with lysine 65 and a B2 chain which begins with lysine 74 and continues through COOH-terminal serine 259. The A1 chain and B2 chain are linked by a disulfide bridge. Although there is no evidence for a covalent bond between the B1 chain and the B2-A1 chains, the B1 chain is tightly bound to the remainder of the molecule, for separation is achieved only under denaturing conditions.