Mechanisms in Blood Coagulation, Fibrinolysis and the Complement System [Paperback]

This book presents a thorough explanation and analysis of our current understanding of the proteins and enzymes involved.A thorough explanation and analysis of the proteins and enzymes involved in the processes of blood coagulation, fibrinolysis and the complement system, stresses evolutionary relationships at the molecular level.A thorough explanation and analysis of the proteins and enzymes involved in the processes of blood coagulation, fibrinolysis and the complement system, stresses evolutionary relationships at the molecular level.Blood coagulation and fibrinolysis has been traditionally classed as a part of hematology and the complement system as a part of immunology. An analysis of these two systems at a molecular level, however, has revealed some intriguing evolutionary relationships among some of the macromolecules involved. Evidently, there are similarities in the cascade of reactions that characterize the processes. It is therefore highly suitable that these topics are presented together in one volume. This book presents a thorough explanation and analysis of our current understanding of the proteins and enzymes involved in each of the three processes, and includes a section devoted to special topics of relevance, such as the kinin system, glycosylation, signal peptides, and the serpin family.Foreword; Introduction; Part I. Blood Coagulation: 1. The coagulation process: an introduction; 2. Contact activation; 3. Activation of factor IX; 4. Activation of factor X in the intrinsic pathway; 5. Activation of prothrombin; 6. Activations in the extrinsic pathway; 7. Formation and stabilisation of fibrin; 8. Regulation of blood coagulation; Part II. Fibrinolysis: 9. Complements of the fibrinolytic system; 10. Mechanisms of fibrinolysis; Part III. The Complement System: 11. Overview of the complement system; 12. Classical activation of the complement system; 13. Alternative activation of the complement system; 14. The lytic complex (MAC); 15. Regulation proló0