A novel Asn344 deletion in the core domain of coagulation factor XIII A subunit: its effects on protein structure and function.

In this study a previously undescribed 3 bp deletion, AAT1030-1032, in the factor XIII A subunit gene, has been detected in a Thai patient. The inframe deletion results in the translation of a factor XIII A subunit that lacks Asn344. This is the first inframe deletion to be identified in the factor XIII A subunit gene because six previously reported deletions have all caused frameshifts. The deletion has been introduced into a factor XIII A subunit cDNA and the deleted polypeptide expressed in yeast. The mRNA encoding the mutant enzyme appears to have normal stability but the translated protein is subject to premature degradation. In addition, the mutated enzyme exhibited very little transglutaminase activity compared with the wild-type enzyme. Structural modeling of the deleted enzyme suggests that the absence of Asn344 would have a potent impact on the catalytic activity by reorienting the residues associated with the catalytic center. Thus, the Asn344 deletion strongly confirms the significance of the residues surrounding the catalytic center of the factor XIII A subunit.