Cloning and production of human von Willebrand Factor GP1b binding domain polypeptides and methods of using same

The subject invention provides non-glycosylated, biologically active polypeptides which comprise the vWF (van Willebrand Factor) GP1b binding domain. These polypeptides may be used to inhibit platelet adhesion and aggregation in the treatment of subjects with conditions such as cerebrovascular disorders and cardiovascular disorders. This invention also provides expression plasmids encoding these polypeptides as well as methods of producing by transforming a bacterial cell and recovering such polypeptides. In addition, the subject invention provides methods of treating and preventing cerebrovascular, cardiovascular and other disorders using these polypeptides to inhibit platelet aggregation.