PROTHROMBINASE Meaning and
Definition
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Prothrombinase is an enzyme complex that plays a crucial role in the process of blood clot formation, also known as coagulation. It is formed when a complex of activated factor X (also known as factor Xa) and activated factor V (also known as factor Va) assembles on the surface of activated platelets.
This enzyme complex acts as a catalyst in the conversion of the plasma protein prothrombin (also known as factor II) into its active form, thrombin. Prothrombinase cleaves prothrombin at specific sites, resulting in the release of thrombin, which is essential for the subsequent steps of coagulation.
Thrombin, the active product of prothrombin conversion, has several important functions in blood clot formation. It can convert soluble fibrinogen into insoluble fibrin strands, forming a meshwork that stabilizes the blood clot. Thrombin also activates other clotting factors, amplifying the coagulation cascade and promoting blood clot formation.
Prothrombinase is particularly significant in the intrinsic and common coagulation pathways of blood clot formation. It acts at the intersection of these pathways, facilitating the conversion of prothrombin into thrombin. Without the activity of prothrombinase, the formation of a stable blood clot would be impaired, leading to decreased hemostasis and potentially causing excessive bleeding.
The regulation of prothrombinase activity is critical to maintaining proper hemostasis. Imbalances in prothrombinase activity can lead to clotting disorders, such as thrombosis or bleeding disorders. Pharmaceutical interventions that target prothrombinase are used clinically as anticoagulant therapies to prevent unwanted clot formation in conditions like deep vein thrombosis or atrial
Common Misspellings for PROTHROMBINASE
- orothrombinase
- lrothrombinase
- -rothrombinase
- 0rothrombinase
- peothrombinase
- pdothrombinase
- pfothrombinase
- ptothrombinase
- p5othrombinase
- p4othrombinase
- prithrombinase
- prkthrombinase
- prlthrombinase
- prpthrombinase
- pr0thrombinase
- pr9thrombinase
- prorhrombinase
- profhrombinase
- proghrombinase
Etymology of PROTHROMBINASE
The word "prothrombinase" is derived from the combination of two main components:
1. "Prothrombin": The term "prothrombin" combines the prefix "pro-" which means "before" or "early stage", and the noun "thrombin". "Thrombin" refers to an enzyme that plays a crucial role in blood coagulation or clotting. The "pro-" prefix indicates that it is an inactive precursor or an early form of thrombin.
2. "-ase": The suffix "-ase" is commonly used in biology and chemistry to denote an enzyme. It is derived from the Greek word "ásis" meaning "enzyme" or "ferment".
Similar spelling word for PROTHROMBINASE
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