DIRECTED SEARCH FOR THROMBOMODULIN GENE-MUTATIONS

Thrombomodulin is a principle thrombin receptor located on the vascula r endothelium. Thrombomodulin alters the specificity of thrombin, redi recting its procoagulant function to an anticoagulant function by maki ng it a more efficient activator of protein C. While mutation of the g enes of other components of this anticoagulant mechanism, protein C, p rotein S and factor V, is known to predispose towards venous thromboem bolism, there are only a few reports of the investigation of thrombomo dulin gene mutation. We present the design and evaluation of a strateg y to investigate thrombomodulin gene mutation in arterial and venous t hrombosis.