Some properties of human progressive antithrombin.

The effect of some mono- and divalent cations was examined on thrombin--antithrombin reaction in vitro. It was found that 0--0.1 M sodium- or potassium chloride did not affect either thrombin or antithrombin activity; at higher concentrations thrombin activity decreased. Calcium chloride as well as magnesium chloride at concentrations from 0 to 0.5 M increased enzyme activity, whereas at higher concentrations the activity decreased. Thrombin inactivation by antithrombin was also accelerated at calcium or magnesium chloride concentrations above 0.04 M. Antithrombin was inactivated at pH 7.3 at 65 degrees C in some minutes and heparin failed to protect it against heat denaturation. Thrombin inactivation by antithrombin did not proceed at 0 degrees C in 60 min, but the interaction between thrombin and antithrombin was facilitated in the presence of heparin.