Aegyptin, a novel mosquito salivary gland protein, specifically binds to collagen and prevents its interaction with platelet glycoprotein VI, integrin α2β1, and von Willebrand factor

Eric Calvo, Fuyuki Tokumasu, Osvaldo Marinotti, Jean Luc Villeval, José M.C. Ribeiro, Ivo M.B. Francischetti

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

75 Scopus citations

Abstract

Blood-sucking arthropods have evolved a number of inhibitors of platelet aggregation and blood coagulation. In this study we have molecularly and functionally characterized aegyptin, a member of the family of 30-kDa salivary allergens from Aedes aegypti, whose function remained elusive thus far. Aegyptin displays a unique sequence characterized by glycine, glutamic acid, and aspartic acid repeats and was shown to specifically block collagen-induced human platelet aggregation and granule secretion. Plasmon resonance experiments demonstrate that aegyptin binds to collagen types I-V (Kd ≈ 1 nM) but does not interact with vitronectin, fibronectin, laminin, fibrinogen, and von Willebrand factor (vWf). In addition, aegyptin attenuates platelet adhesion to soluble or fibrillar collagen. Furthermore, aegyptin inhibits vWf interaction with collagen type III under static conditions and completely blocks platelet adhesion to collagen under flow conditions at high shear rates. Notably, aegyptin prevents collagen but not convulxin binding to recombinant glycoprotein VI. These findings suggest that aegyptin recognizes specific binding sites for glycoprotein VI, integrin α2β1, and vWf, thereby preventing collagen interaction with its three major ligands. Aegyptin is a novel tool to study collagen-platelet interaction and a prototype for development of molecules with antithrombotic properties.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)26928-26938
Number of pages11
JournalJournal of Biological Chemistry
Volume282
Issue number37
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 14 2007
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Biochemistry
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cell Biology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Aegyptin, a novel mosquito salivary gland protein, specifically binds to collagen and prevents its interaction with platelet glycoprotein VI, integrin α2β1, and von Willebrand factor'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this