A Control Switch for Prothrombinase CHARACTERIZATION OF A HIRUDIN-LIKE PENTAPEPTIDE FROM THE COOH TERMINUS OF FACTOR Va HEAVY CHAIN THAT REGULATES THE RATE AND PATHWAY FOR PROTHROMBIN ACTIVATION*

Membrane-bound factor Xa alone catalyzes prothrombin activation following initial cleavage at Arg(271) and prethrombin 2 formation (pre2 pathway). Factor Va directs prothrombin activation by factor Xa through the meizothrombin pathway, characterized by initial cleavage at Arg(320) (meizo pathway). We have shown previously that a pentapeptide encompassing amino acid sequence 695-699 from the COOH terminus of the heavy chain of factor Va …