Activated Protein C (APC)

Activated protein C (APC) is a potent natural anticoagulant that acts by cleaving and thus inactivating the activated forms of factor V and factor VIII (factors Va and VIIIa). Factor V Leiden results from a point mutation that causes an amino acid change (an arginine to glutamine substitution) at position 506 in factor V. This abolishes a cleavage site of APC, making the molecule less susceptible to inactivation.

Based on the observation that the anticoagulant activity of APC was reduced in a modified activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) assay, this defect was initially termed “APC resistance.”

In contrast to traditional APC Resistance Test the APC Resistance Kit from Technoclone acts on the prothrombinase complex level. Its reliability is enhanced by the elimination of possible preceding interferences by factors upstream within from the coagulation cascade and due to its independence from Ca²⁺.

Coagulation is triggered by the addition of a FV dependent prothrombin activator from snake venom „Noscarin“ from Notechis scutatus scutatus in the absence of calcium. The time required for clot information is recorded.

LITERATURE