Protac®, a single chain glycoprotein, is a fast-acting protein C activator isolated from the venom of the copperhead snake Agkistrodon contortrix and closely related snake species. This serine proteinase rapidly converts protein C of man and other vertebrates into activated protein C which may be determined either by measuring its prolonging effect on the activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) or by measuring its enzyme activity by means of a specific chromogenic substrate.

Application

Determination of protein C and protein S levels.

Origin

Agkistrodon contortrix snake venom

MW

36’000 to 42’000

References

Bastian S. Protein C-Diagnostik – Methoden, Interpretation und Limitationen. ellipse 2002; 18 (1): 11-16

Gempeler-Messina PM, Volz K, Bühler B, Müller C. Protein C Activators from Snake Venoms and Their Diagnostic Use. Haemostasis 2001; 31:266-72.

Robert A, Eschwege V, Hameg H, Drouet L, Aillaud MF. Anticoagulant response to Agkistrodon contortrix venom (ACV test): a new global test to screen for defects in the anticoagulant protein C pathway.  Thromb Haemost 1996; 75: 562-66.

Kraus M, Noah M, Fickenscher K. The PCAT – a simple screening assay for assessing the functionality of the protein C anticoagulant pathway. Thromb Res 1995; 79: 217-22.

Meier J, Stocker K. Snake venom protein C activators. In: Handbook of Natural Toxins, Reptile Venoms and Toxins. Tu AT, ed. New York: Marcel Dekker 1990; 265-79.

Stocker K, Fischer H, Meier J, Brogli M, Svendsen L. Characterization of the protein C activator Protac® from the venom of the southern copperhead (Agkistrodon contortrix) snake. Toxicon