EPCR Products

Description

Blood coagulation depends on a series of sequential proteolytic processes, leading to the generation of new serine proteases. Several natural anticoagulant mechanisms are balancing the clotting system. One of them is the protein C anticoagulant pathway. In this pathway, thrombin binds to the endothelial cell receptor thrombomodulin. This complex activates protein C to generate the anticoagulant enzyme activated protein C (APC) that when complexed to protein S inhibits coagulation by inactivating two critical regulatory proteins: factor Va and VIIIa.3 Protein C activation by the thrombin/ thrombomodulin complex is a relatively low-affinity reaction. However, it was found that protein C and APC bind to culture endothelial cells with a relatively high affinity. The high affinity binding of both ligands (Kd = 30nM) is mediated by EPCR (endothelial cell protein C receptor). EPCR is a type 1 transmembrane glycoprotein containing two domains in the extra cellular region that are homologous to the alpha 1 and alpha 2 domains of CD1/MHC class 1 molecules.4 The mature human EPCR protein contains 211 amino acids. The protein migrates as a 49 kDa protein due to its carbohydrates chains.1 The protein is expressed in endothelial cells present in various types of vessels including arterial heart, lung, and in the vena cava inferior. The EPCR is also expressed in small vessels such as capillaries of the alveolar wall in the lung. The high-affinity binding of protein C to EPCR is a critical step for activation. Upon binding, the structure of protein C is modulated to enable rapid conversion to the active form. This enhances the activation rate by at least 5-fold.3, 4 The EPCR protein appears to perform other functions, as well. It binds proteinase 3. The complex then binds to MAC-1 on activated neutrophils and inhibits their adhesion to activated endothelium. Another property of EPCR is that it can translocate from the membrane to the nucleus. The RCR-252 monoclonal antibody strongly inhibits the interaction of APC with EPCR. The region recognized by the RCR-252 antibody is critical for binding of APC.2 Antibodies, which react specifically with the EPCR protein and inhibit ligands binding to it, are an essential tool for exploring the physiological effects of protein C and APC binding on the mechanisms of blood clotting in homeostasis and various thrombotic disorders.

Bioinformatics

Entrez	10544 Human
Product By Gene ID	10544
Alternate Names	APC receptor CCCA CCD41 CCD41centrosome-associated protein CD201 antigen CD201 centrocyclin Endothelial cell protein C receptor endothelial protein C receptor EPCR EPCRMGC23024 PROCR protein C receptor, endothelial

Research Areas for EPCR

Find related products by research area and learn more about each of the different research areas below.

Cardiovascular Biology