| Nucleic Acids Research | Pages |
The Factor VIII Structure and Mutation Resource Site: HAMSTeRS Version 4
Introduction
Development Of The WWW SITE
Features Available At The Hamsters WWW Site
Navigation
Haemophilia A Mutation Database
FVIII structure pages
FVIII sequences and methods
Expansion of the URL to include FVII Mutation Database
Conclusion
Citation
Distribution
Acknowledgements
References
The Factor VIII Structure and Mutation Resource Site: HAMSTeRS Version 4
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION
Coagulation factor VIII (FVIII) is the essential cofactor for the activation of factor X by factor IXa (1). The FVIII gene (F8) contains 26 exons and spans 186 kb of DNA (2). Deleterious mutations in the FVIII gene have been demonstrated to reduce either or both activity and circulating plasma level of FVIII protein and thus cause haemophilia A (3) an X-linked bleeding disorder affecting ~1 in 5000 males (4).
As a means of both inviting data submission to centralised resources and distributing information content to users in any location, the World Wide Web (WWW) has become enormously popular and successful during the last 2-3 years. Improvements (both in the quality and availability of the hardware and software required, and in the range of services available within large areas of biological science) have been made such that many academic users now rely on the WWW both to search rapidly and effectively for relevant information and also to broadcast their own data. The main features of WWW resources relevant to their success are rapid access, interactivity and the ability to update data resources on a frequent or real-time basis. Thus, versions of the original printed haemophilia A mutation database (5,6) were updated to WWW versions (7,8) utilising these characteristics to provide an effective vehicle for dissemination and updating of mutation data: now we describe the continued expansion of the resource site dedicated to both molecular biology of the factor VIII gene and the structural basis of FVIII function.
DEVELOPMENT OF THE WWW SITE
Coding and functional system requirements for earlier releases of HAMSTeRS have been described earlier (7,8). Further modifications to the coding and design have been made with the primary goal of improving user-friendliness of the site. Multiple alignments of FVIII amino acid sequences were made using the PILEUP facility from the GCG suite of programs (9) and displayed using BOXSHADE (10): human, murine and porcine sequences have been published (11-13) while the canine FVIII sequence was kindly supplied by Dr David Lillicrap (Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario) prior to publication.
For best results it is recommended that the site is accessed through Netscape V3.0 (Netscape URL: http://home.netscape.com ) or later: earlier versions or other browsers such as Internet Explorer may give unpredictable results.
Hamsters is served from europium, a Silicon Graphics Indigo2 workstation running IRIX 6.2 and the CERN WWW server software httpd (V3.0, obtainable as shareware from CERN at http://www.cern.ch/ExpSupport/) and served to outside users via the Hammersmith Hospital 100 MB fibre optic line.
FEATURES AVAILABLE AT THE HAMSTERS WWW SITE
Navigation
The user may click the new Road Map icon to view a graphical representation of the site layout (Fig. 1). This is a client-side `clickable' map: clicking the mouse button over any box of interest will take the user directly to the relevant page. Alternatively all of the main functions or sections of the FVIII resource site may be accessed as before from the icons of the home page or by clicking the text links below these icons. With regard to other minor functions, the What's New page summarises recent changes and upcoming features: the Review (14) contains a concise overview of the molecular genetics of haemophilia A, linking to the updated tables including all published and unpublished mutations submitted to HAMSTeRS. The Links page has also been reorganised.
Figure

Haemophilia A Mutation Database
The layouts of the Novel Mutation Submission Forms (insertions, deletions and point mutations) have been improved, and the Point Mutation Database Search Page modified to add to the existing powerful Boolean database search (using an extensive range of search parameters such as exon and codon number, nucleotide sequence, amino acid change, clinical severity, inhibitor status and reporting group) the ability to search by range of laboratory values. During 1997 a further 22 novel point mutations, including four nonsense mutations, have been submitted to the database. We are investigating ways in which to display graphically bioinformatic analyses of the point mutations distribution and characteristics (such as bar graphs depicting the distribution of mutant reports over the 26 exons), however, the user may still browse simple tabular listings of individual reports or summaries.
Insertion and Deletion lists have been updated (accessible as HTML-formatted tables) and we have now included lists of predicted Splice Junction variants and Polymorphisms. We have continued listings of all the types of mutations reported subsequent to the last printed version in 1994 (6). Finally, a Java-coded pop-up window allows easy viewing of alphabetically-sorted journal references where required throughout the database.
FVIII structure pages
Users may inspect or download various representations of a homology model of the A domains of FVIII (15) based on the crystal structure of human caeruloplasmin (16), including residue-specific VRML images; the coordinates of the model in Protein Data Bank (PDB) format; secondary structural data, i.e., helix/sheet/turn/coil, amino acid sidechain area and solvent accessibility; and a 60 s Quicktime format animated sound+video file (9 MB) demonstrating the overall features of the model. The model has been useful in recent studies of FVIII variants (17): it may also be used to generate hypothetical macromolecular assemblies consistent with existing biochemical and structural data, such as a complex of the FVIII A domains with FIXa bound to a phospholipid membrane (Fig. 2): the porcine FIXa[beta] structure (18) has been aligned manually to the FVIII A domain model, constrained by the known interactions between (i) the FVIII A2 loop S558-Q565 and the FIXa[beta] serine protease domain (19), (ii) the FVIII A3 loop E1811-K1818 and the FIXa[beta] EGF-1 domain (20). The C-terminus of the A3 domain is oriented towards the phospholipid surface consistent with a specific binding interaction via the C2 domain of FVIII.
Figure

FVIII sequences and methods
Mature FVIII amino-acid sequences for a total of four mammalian species (human, murine, porcine and canine) are now displayed, together with a multiple sequence alignment displaying the identity and conservation of residues between them. Figure 3 shows part of the alignment (covering ~300 amino acids from A1 residue 200 in human FVIII, across the A1-A2 acidic peptide junction and partway through the A2 domain). Human FVIII cDNA and exonic sequences, together with restriction maps and primer sequences for amplification of exons 1-26 are also provided, together with details of the various approaches to FVIII mutation screening by PCR-based methods (21).
Figure

Expansion of the URL to include FVII Mutation Database
Visitors to the HAMSTeRS URL are presented with a selection page allowing access to the FVIII Site or to the new FVII Mutation Database (McVey and Boswell, personal communication).
CONCLUSION
As high-quality structural information on proteins in the area of haemostasis becomes available, it becomes possible to make hypotheses as to the molecular cause of dysfunction in a variant protein found in a patient attending the clinic for a bleeding or thrombotic problem. Although such structural information is not yet available for FVIII or its domains, the A domain homology model available at the site (together with the spectrum of mutations listed) provides a useful starting point for such studies or hypotheses. The further development of this FVIII WWW site is intended to supply both the most up-to-date structure and mutation information together with tools and resources to assist in using them. The authors welcome suggestions which may help to realise this intention.
CITATION
Users of HAMSTeRS are asked to cite this article in their publications, including the URL, http://europium.mrc.rpms.ac.uk
DISTRIBUTION
The Haemophilia A Mutation Search, Test and Resource Site (HAMSTeRS) may be accessed via the World Wide Web at http://europium.mrc.rpms.ac.uk. For those with no Internet access, text versions of the main mutation tables may be obtained from G.K.-C.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The authors wish to thank Dr Anne Goodeve for compiling the Polymorphisms listing, Dr David Lillicrap and colleagues for permission to include the canine FVIII amino acid sequence ahead of publication, Dr John McVey for his continued critical review of the site, our colleagues who have submitted their new results to the database; and all those who have commented constructively on the use of the site. AIW is supported by the John Ellerman Foundation.
REFERENCES
This page is run by Oxford University Press, Great Clarendon Street, Oxford OX2 6DP, as part of the OUP Journals Comments and feedback: www-admin{at}oup.co.uk
Last modification: 17 Dec 1997
Copyright© Oxford University Press, 1998.
This article has been cited by other articles:
![]() |
I. Jagannathan, H. T. Ichikawa, T. Kruger, and P. J. Fay Identification of Residues in the 558-Loop of Factor VIIIa A2 Subunit That Interact with Factor IXa J. Biol. Chem., November 20, 2009; 284(47): 32248 - 32255. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
M. Pinotti, D. Balestra, L. Rizzotto, I. Maestri, F. Pagani, and F. Bernardi Rescue of coagulation factor VII function by the U1+5A snRNA Blood, June 18, 2009; 113(25): 6461 - 6464. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
J. L. Newell and P. J. Fay Cleavage at Arg-1689 Influences Heavy Chain Cleavages during Thrombin-catalyzed Activation of Factor VIII J. Biol. Chem., April 24, 2009; 284(17): 11080 - 11089. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
K. R. Viel, A. Ameri, T. C. Abshire, R. V. Iyer, R. G. Watts, C. Lutcher, C. Channell, S. A. Cole, K. M. Fernstrom, S. Nakaya, et al. Inhibitors of Factor VIII in Black Patients with Hemophilia N. Engl. J. Med., April 16, 2009; 360(16): 1618 - 1627. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
H. Wakabayashi, F. Varfaj, J. DeAngelis, and P. J. Fay Generation of enhanced stability factor VIII variants by replacement of charged residues at the A2 domain interface Blood, October 1, 2008; 112(7): 2761 - 2769. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
M. Margaglione, G. Castaman, M. Morfini, A. Rocino, E. Santagostino, G. Tagariello, A. R. Tagliaferri, E. Zanon, M. P. Bicocchi, G. Castaldo, et al. The Italian AICE-Genetics hemophilia A database: results and correlation with clinical phenotype Haematologica, May 1, 2008; 93(5): 722 - 728. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
H. Wakabayashi and P. J. Fay Identification of Residues Contributing to A2 Domain-dependent Structural Stability in Factor VIII and Factor VIIIa J. Biol. Chem., April 25, 2008; 283(17): 11645 - 11651. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
M. Pinotti, L. Rizzotto, D. Balestra, M. A. Lewandowska, N. Cavallari, G. Marchetti, F. Bernardi, and F. Pagani U1-snRNA-mediated rescue of mRNA processing in severe factor VII deficiency Blood, March 1, 2008; 111(5): 2681 - 2684. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
A. D. Laurie, M. P. Smith, and P. M. George Detection of Factor VIII Gene Mutations by High-Resolution Melting Analysis Clin. Chem., December 1, 2007; 53(12): 2211 - 2214. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
K. R. Viel, D. K. Machiah, D. M. Warren, M. Khachidze, A. Buil, K. Fernstrom, J. C. Souto, J. M. Peralta, T. Smith, J. Blangero, et al. A sequence variation scan of the coagulation factor VIII (FVIII) structural gene and associations with plasma FVIII activity levels Blood, May 1, 2007; 109(9): 3713 - 3724. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
O. El-Maarri, H. Singer, C. Klein, M. Watzka, U. Herbiniaux, H. H. Brackmann, J. Schroder, J. Graw, C. R. Muller, W. Schramm, et al. Lack of F8 mRNA: a novel mechanism leading to hemophilia A Blood, April 1, 2006; 107(7): 2759 - 2765. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
K. Nogami, Q. Zhou, H. Wakabayashi, and P. J. Fay Thrombin-catalyzed activation of factor VIII with His substituted for Arg372 at the P1 site Blood, June 1, 2005; 105(11): 4362 - 4368. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
R. Toso and R. M. Camire Removal of B-domain Sequences from Factor V Rather than Specific Proteolysis Underlies the Mechanism by Which Cofactor Function Is Realized J. Biol. Chem., May 14, 2004; 279(20): 21643 - 21650. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
W. W. H. Wu and R. S. Molday Defective Discoidin Domain Structure, Subunit Assembly, and Endoplasmic Reticulum Processing of Retinoschisin are Primary Mechanisms Responsible for X-linked Retinoschisis J. Biol. Chem., July 18, 2003; 278(30): 28139 - 28146. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
J. N. Lozier, A. Dutra, E. Pak, N. Zhou, Z. Zheng, T. C. Nichols, D. A. Bellinger, M. Read, and R. A. Morgan The Chapel Hill hemophilia A dog colony exhibits a factor VIII gene inversion PNAS, October 1, 2002; 99(20): 12991 - 12996. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
S. Valleix, C. Vinciguerra, J.-M. Lavergne, M. Leuer, M. Delpech, and C. Negrier Skewed X-chromosome inactivation in monochorionic diamniotic twin sisters results in severe and mild hemophilia A Blood, September 26, 2002; 100(8): 3034 - 3036. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
P. V. Jenkins, J. Freas, K. M. Schmidt, Q. Zhou, and P. J. Fay Mutations associated with hemophilia A in the 558-565 loop of the factor VIIIa A2 subunit alter the catalytic activity of the factor Xase complex Blood, June 28, 2002; 100(2): 501 - 508. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
S. Stoilova-McPhie, B. O. Villoutreix, K. Mertens, G. Kemball-Cook, and A. Holzenburg 3-Dimensional structure of membrane-bound coagulation factor VIII: modeling of the factor VIII heterodimer within a 3-dimensional density map derived by electron crystallography Blood, February 15, 2002; 99(4): 1215 - 1223. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
S. W. Pipe, E. L. Saenko, A. N. Eickhorst, G. Kemball-Cook, and R. J. Kaufman Hemophilia A mutations associated with 1-stage/2-stage activity discrepancy disrupt protein-protein interactions within the triplicated A domains of thrombin-activated factor VIIIa Blood, February 1, 2001; 97(3): 685 - 691. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
J. Oldenburg, S. Rost, O. El-Maarri, M. Leuer, K. Olek, C. R. Muller, and R. Schwaab De novo factor VIII gene intron 22 inversion in a female carrier presents as a somatic mosaicism Blood, October 15, 2000; 96(8): 2905 - 2906. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
R. Asselta, S. Duga, T. Simonic, M. Malcovati, E. Santagostino, P. L. F. Giangrande, P. M. Mannucci, and M. L. Tenchini Afibrinogenemia: first identification of a splicing mutation in the fibrinogen gamma chain gene leading to a major gamma chain truncation Blood, October 1, 2000; 96(7): 2496 - 2500. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
M.-L. Liu, B. W. Shen, S. Nakaya, K. P. Pratt, K. Fujikawa, E. W. Davie, B. L. Stoddard, and A. R. Thompson Hemophilic factor VIII C1- and C2-domain missense mutations and their modeling to the 1.5-angstrom human C2-domain crystal structure Blood, August 1, 2000; 96(3): 979 - 987. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
S. S. Stoylova, P. J. Lenting, G. Kemball-Cook, and A. Holzenburg Electron Crystallography of Human Blood Coagulation Factor VIII Bound to Phospholipid Monolayers J. Biol. Chem., December 17, 1999; 274(51): 36573 - 36578. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||





