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Elsevier, Journal of Theoretical Biology, 1(279), p. 143-149, 2011

DOI: 10.1016/j.jtbi.2011.03.030

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A hetero-dimer model for concerted action of vitamin K carboxylase and vitamin K reductase in vitamin K cycle

This paper is available in a repository.
This paper is available in a repository.

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Abstract

Vitamin K carboxylase (VKC) is believed to convert vitamin K, in the vitamin K cycle, to an alkoxide-epoxide form which then reacts with CO(2) and glutamate to generate γ-carboxyglutamic acid (Gla). Subsequently, vitamin K epoxide reductase (VKOR) is thought to convert the alkoxide-epoxide to a hydroquinone form. By recycling vitamin K, the two integral-membrane proteins, VKC and VKOR, maintain vitamin K levels and sustain the blood coagulation cascade. Unfortunately, NMR or X-ray crystal structures of the two proteins have not been characterized. Thus, our understanding of the vitamin K cycle is only partial at the molecular level. In this study, based on prior biochemical experiments on VKC and VKOR, we propose a hetero-dimeric form of VKC and VKOR that may explain the efficient oxidation and reduction of vitamin K during the vitamin K cycle.