The crystal structure of a heparin cofactor II (HCII)-thrombin Michaelis complex has revealed extensive contacts encompassing the N-terminal domain of HCII and exosite I of the proteinase. In contrast, the location of the N-terminal extension in the uncomplexed inhibitor was unclear. Using a disulfide cross-linking strategy, we demonstrate that at least three different sites (positions 52, 54 and 68) within the N terminus may be tethered in a reformable manner to position 195 in the loop region between helix D and strand s2A of the HCII molecule, suggesting that the N-terminal domain may interact with the inhibitor scaffold in a permissive manner. Cross-linking of the N terminus to the HCII body does not strongly affect the inhibition of alpha-chymotrypsin, indicating that the reactive site loop sequences of the engineered inhibitor variants, required for interaction with one of the HCII target enzymes, are normally accessible. In contrast, intramolecular tethering of the N-terminal extension results in a drastic decrease of alpha-thrombin inhibitory activity, both in the presence and in the absence of glycosaminoglycans. Treatment with dithiothreitol and iodoacetamide restores activity towards alpha-thrombin, suggesting that release of the N terminus of HCII is an important component of the multistep interaction between the inhibitor and alpha-thrombin.

The effects of bivalent cations on heparin binding, structure, and thrombin inhibition rates of heparin cofactor II were examined. Zn2+ – and to a lesser extent Cu2+ and Ni2+ – enhanced the interaction between heparin cofactor II and heparin as demonstrated by heparin affinity chromatography and surface plasmon resonance experiments. Metal chelate chromatography and increased intrinsic protein fluorescence in the presence of Zn2+ indicated that heparin cofactor II has metal ion‐binding properties. The results are compatible with the hypothesis that Zn2+ induces a conformational change in heparin cofactor II that favors its interaction with heparin.

Tricarbonyl(eta(6)-1,3,5,7-cyclooctatetraene)chromium (1) yields upon UV irradiation in ether at 233 K with 2,3-dimethyl-1,3-butadiene (2) or 2-methyl-1,3-butadiene (3) by [6+2] cycloadditions the correspondingly substituted tricarbonyl(eta(6)-bicyclo[4.2.2]deca-2,4,7-triene)chromium complexes 4, 5a and 5b. With ammonium cerium(IV) nitrate the organic ligand of complex 4, 9-isopropenyl-9-methyl-bicyclo[4.2.2]-deca-2,4,7-triene (6) is liberated. The complexes 4, 5a and 5b were characterised by IR and NMR spectroscopy, the ligand 6 by NMR spectroscopy.