Antithrombin (Molecular Biology)

Antithrombin is a proteinase inhibitor of the serpin family that is the principal anticoagulant in human plasma; it is also known as antithrombin-III. It is composed of a single polypeptide chain of 432 amino acid residues, with four carbohydrate side chains (see N-Glycosylation). It has a reactive-center peptide bond between Arg393 and Ser394 that provides a specific target for thrombin, factor Xa, and other proteinases of the blood clotting system. Antithrombin is present in plasma at a concentration of nearly 100 mg/L and circulates in a relatively inactive form, being activated conformationally by the binding of heparin. Genetic deficiency or dysfunction of antithrombin is a significant cause of familial thromboembolic disease.