Protein z activity
The
Coagulation Laboratory of ITxM Diagnostics is pleased to
offer an assay for the determination of Protein Z activity.
BACKGROUND
Protein
Z was recently shown to act as an essential cofactor for
protein Z-dependent protease inhibitor, a potent down-regulator of
coagulation Factor Xa. Thus, deficiency of protein Z is
hypothesized to lead to a pro-thrombotic state.
Investigators have shown that the disruption of protein Z
gene in mice with the factor V Leiden mutation leads to a
strikingly severe pro-thrombotic phenotype. This is
interesting despite the fact that the first cases of protein
Z deficiency were described inpatients suffering from a
bleeding tendency. More recently studies have shown a
significant association between previous ischemic stroke and
protein Z deficiency. These studies suggest that protein Z
deficiency increases the risk of stroke four-fold.
METHODS
The
principle of the assay involves the use of a solid support
coated with F (ab’) 2 fragments derived from a mouse
monoclonal antibody against protein Z. Protein Z contained
in the sample binds to the support and is identified by a
second monoclonal antibody directed against another epitope
of protein z and coupled with peroxidase. The bound
molecule is revealed by its oxidative substrate OPD in the
presence of urea peroxide. The reaction is stopped by
sulphuric acid. The intensity of color formation is
directly proportional to the concentration of protein Z.
copyright © 2003 by ITxM
Diagnostics, Inc. |
