Plasma fatty acid levels may regulate the Zn2+-dependent activities of histidine-rich glycoprotein

Histidine-rich glycoprotein (HRG) is a plasma adaptor protein involved in the formation of protein complexes that regulate a number of biological processes in the blood, most notably coagulation and the immune system. Elevated levels of HRG are clinically linked to thrombotic disorders such as blood vessel occlusion. A large body of evidence suggests that Zn2+ ions stimulate HRG-complex formation; however, under normal conditions the vast majority of Zn2+ in the blood is bound to human serum albumin (HSA). We have previously demonstrated that high levels of fatty acid act as an allosteric switch which disrupts the major Zn2+-binding site on HSA. Transient or sustained elevation of plasma fatty acid levels may therefore increase the proportion of plasma Zn2+ associated with HRG. We speculate that this mechanism may potentiate an increased risk of thrombosis in individuals with elevated fatty acid levels such as those associated with cancer, obesity and diabetes.