Factor XIII A Proteins

Protein Information

This gene encodes the coagulation factor XIII A subunit. Coagulation factor XIII is the last zymogen to become activated in the blood coagulation cascade. Plasma factor XIII is a heterotetramer composed of 2 A subunits and 2 B subunits. The A subunits have catalytic function, and the B subunits do not have enzymatic activity and may serve as plasma carrier molecules. Platelet factor XIII is comprised only of 2 A subunits, which are identical to those of plasma origin. Upon cleavage of the activation peptide by thrombin and in the presence of calcium ion, the plasma factor XIII dissociates its B subunits and yields the same active enzyme, factor XIIIa, as platelet factor XIII. This enzyme acts as a transglutaminase to catalyze the formation of gamma-glutamyl-epsilon-lysine crosslinking between fibrin molecules, thus stabilizing the fibrin clot. It also crosslinks alpha-2-plasmin inhibitor, or fibronectin, to the alpha chains of fibrin. Factor XIII deficiency is classified into two categories: type I deficiency, characterized by the lack of both the A and B subunits; and type II deficiency, characterized by the lack of the A subunit alone. These defects can result in a lifelong bleeding tendency, defective wound healing, and habitual abortion.

Synonyms

1200014I03Rik; AI462306; bA525O21.1 (coagulation factor XIII, A1 polypeptide); coagulation factor XIII A chain; coagulation factor XIII, A polypeptide; coagulation factor XIII, A1 polypeptide; coagulation factor XIII, A1 subunit; coagulation factor XIII, alpha subunit; coagulation factor XIIIa; F13A; F13a1; factor viiia; Factor XIIIA; fibrin stabilizing factor, A subunit; fibrinoligase; FSF, A subunit; protein-glutamine gamma-glutamyltransferase A chain; RP11-232H4.1; TGase; transglutaminase A chain; transglutaminase. plasma