Antithrombin III Nagasaki (Ser116-Pro): a heterozygous variant with defective heparin binding associated with thrombosis

A novel variant of antithrombin III (AT III) that lacks affinity for heparin was found in a 33-year-old man who suffered from recurrent cerebral infarction. The propositus had a history of recurrent ischemic attacks from the age of 28. He was obese and had a smoking habit (30 to 40 cigarettes/day), low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and a mild glucose intolerance as the possible risk factors for thrombosis. No family history of thromboembolic episodes was observed. Coagulation studies found low heparin cofactor activity (55%) of AT III, with a normal immunoreactive level (109.7%) and progressive antithrombin activity (117%). Other factors capable of predisposing him to hereditary thrombophilia were within normal ranges. Analysis by crossed immunoelectrophoresis in the presence of heparin and affinity chromatography on heparin-Sepharose demonstrated that the propositus' AT III was composed of two populations, one having no affinity for heparin and the other binding heparin normally. Nucleotide sequencing of 7 exons of the propositus' AT III gene using polymerase chain reaction and subcloning disclosed a transition of thymine to cytosine in exon 3a (codon 116) of the AT III gene leading to a Ser116-Pro conversion. Allele-specific oligonucleotide hybridization procedures confirmed the presence of the mutation in the propositus' genomic DNA. Using the same technique, the mutation was also found in his father's genomic DNA, but not in that of his mother. These findings indicate that Ser116 is an important amino acid residue in heparin binding and that the propositus is heterozygous for the abnormality. Furthermore, the fact that the propositus suffered from recurrent cerebral infarction suggested that being heterozygous for a heparin-binding defect would lead to a predisposition to thrombosis when associated with various risk factors. The name AT III Nagasaki is proposed for this variant AT III containing a novel Ser116-Pro mutation.