How the activated protein C pathway prevents blood clotting

The role of factor Va in its own proteolysis by APC and its cofactor protein S

Blood clotting is regulated by several different pathways, including a pathway that involves a protein called activated protein C, which prevents clotting. To work properly protein C relies on a partner, protein S. People who lack or have a mutation in protein C or protein S have an increased risk of developing a blood clot, for instance a deep venous thrombosis (DVT). However, exactly how protein C and S work together to regulate clotting is not fully understood. During this Intermediate Basic Science Fellowship, Dr Ahnstrom will study the activated protein C pathway, working out how the proteins in this pathway interact and regulate each other to prevent the formation of blood clots.