Inactivation of alpha- and beta- thrombin by antithrombin-III and heparin.

Inactivation of alpha- and beta-thrombin by antithrombin-III and heparin was studied, since it had been suggested that two forms of thrombin exist with respect to heparin sensitivity (Machovich 1975b). It was found that the inactivation rates of alpha- and beta-thrombin by antithrombin were different, namely alpha-thrombin was more sensitive to antithrombin than beta-thrombin. Heparin facilitated the complex formation between alpha-thrombin and antithrombin-III, whereas beta-thrombin inactivation was only slightly affected. Furthermore, heparin protected alpha-thrombin against the inactivating effect of heat, while beta-thrombin lost its activity during the heat treatment. These findings suggest that the formation of beta-thrombin in blood circulation may have an important role in thrombosis predisposition.