Three-stage chromogenic assay for the analysis of activation properties of factor X by cancer procoagulant.

The cysteine proteinase, cancer procoagulant (CP; EC 3.4.22.26) was isolated from human amnion-chorion and purified by precipitation with polyethylene glycol and either ion exchange or immunoaffinity chromatography. A new, sensitive, three-stage chromogenic assay was developed for determination of CP factor X-activating activity. Using this assay some properties including dose-response, effect of calcium, phospholipid and pH on the activation of factor X by CP was determined. There was an excellent linear correlation (r2 = 0.99) between concentration and the enzymatic activity of CP. The activation of factor X by purified CP was calcium dependent with an optimum calcium concentration of 7 mM. CP was not phospholipid dependent. There was a rather broad pH optimum between pH 6.9 and 7.25 for the activation of factor X by CP.