Protein C activator
AssigneeAmerican National Red Cross
InventorCarolyn Orthner
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A protein C activator is purified from the venom of the Southern copperhead snake. The resultant enzyme is a very specific and efficient activator of protein C. The high efficiency and specificity enables the sensitive measurement of functional protein C levels in plasma and other biological fluids. The enzyme is attached to a solid support material and the resultant enzyme reactor is capable of producing activated protein C at a high yield and is stable under the conditions of use.
Claims4
Isolated, substantially pure activator of protein C comprising:
- (a) a molecular weight of about 37,000 as determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis;
- (b) an isoelectric point of about 6.3 as determined by chromatofocussing;
- (c) k.sub.cat /K.sub.m of about 3.times.10.sup.6 M.sup.-1 sec.sup.-1 ;
- and
- (d) uninhibited by EDTA upto 10 mM.
A kit for determining the level of protein C in a human body sample, comprising a container containing isolated, substantially pure activator of protein C having a molecular weight of about 37,000 as determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis;
- isoelectric point of about 6.3 as determined by chromatofocussing;
- k.sub.cat /K.sub.m of about 3.times.10.sup.6 M.sup.-1 sec.sup.-1 ;
- uninhibited by EDTA upto 10 mM and instructions for performing tests employing said activator.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.