TETRANECTIN, A TRIMERIC PLASMINOGEN-BINDING C-TYPE LECTIN

Tetranectin, a plasminogen-binding protein belonging to the family of C-type lectins, was expressed in E. coli and converted to its native f orm by in vitro refolding and proteolytic processing. Recombinant tetr anectin-as well as natural tetranectin from human plasma-was shown by chemical cross-linking analysis and SDS-PAGE to be a homo-trimer in so lution as are other known members of the collectin family of C-type le ctins. Biochemical evidence is presented showing that an N-terminal do main encoded within exons 1 and 2 of the tetranectin gene is necessary and sufficient to govern subunit trimerization.