Characterization of the interaction between beta 2-glycoprotein I and mitochondria, platelets, liposomes and bile acids.

Several different binding mechanisms appear to be involved in the binding of beta 2-glycoprotein I to biological membranes. One of these mechanisms is a hydrophilic interaction between negatively-charged phospholipids in the membrane and histidine residues in beta 2-glycoprotein I. This mechanism seems to be involved in binding of the protein to mitochondria but not to platelets. Another mechanism may involve a site on beta 2-glycoprotein I, which binds to the steroid ring system particularly to such steroids not having a 7-hydroxy group. This type of binding may be involved in the interaction between beta 2-glycoprotein I and platelets as well as mitochondria.