Summary
Human coagulation factor VII (FVII) has two N-glycosylation sites (N145 and N322)
and two O-glycosylation sites (S52 and S60). In transiently transfected COS-7 cells,
all combinations of N- and O-glycosylation knock-out mutations reduced the release
of FVII to the medium. Pulse-chase analysis of CHO-K1 cell lines expressing recombinant
FVII demonstrated that virtually all wild-type FVII synthesized was secreted from
the cells, whereas both N- and O- glycosylation knock-out mutations induced partial
intracellular degradation of the synthesized FVII. Likewise, two thirds of the FVII
synthesized in vitamin K-depleted and warfarin-treated CHO cells was degraded intracellularly,
demonstrating the importance of gamma-carboxylation for the secretion of FVII. The
furin inhibitor decanoyl-R-V-K-R-chloromethylketone inhibited propeptide cleavage,
but FVII with propeptide appeared to be secreted equally well as FVII without propeptide.
Propeptide cleavage was not inhibited by vitamin K depletion and warfarin treatment,
suggesting that for FVII, correct gamma-carboxylation is not required for optimal
processing of the propeptide. In conclusion, all post-translational modifications
of FVII except propeptide cleavage were important for complete secretion of the synthesized
FVII and to avoid intracellular degradation. Thus, the extensive post-translational
modification of FVII seems critical for the intracellular stability of the protein
and is required for keeping the protein in the secretory pathway.
Keywords
Factor VII - protein processing - post-translational - glycosylation - gamma-carboxylation