Temperature‐dependent irreversible conformational change of recombinant ADAMTS13 upon metal ion chelation

Background The catalytic domain of ADAMTS13 possesses one Zn2+ and up to three putative Ca2+ binding sites and can be inactivated by chelating agents. Although replenishment with an appropriate metallic cation is thought to restore the enzyme's proteolytic activity fully, ADAMTS13 stability in a metal ion‐depleting environment has not been explored. Objectives To address the stability of ADAMTS13 in citrated human plasma. Methods ADAMTS13 activity was measured using the FRETS‐VWF73 fluorogenic assay. The molar ratio of metals bound to ADAMTS13 was determined by size exclusion chromatography inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (SEC‐ICP‐MS). Higher‐order structural changes were analyzed using Fourier‐transformed infrared spectroscopy and dynamic light scattering. Results ADAMTS13 was stable at room temperature for up to 24 hours irrespective of the presence of citrate (0.38%). However, at 37°C, citrate caused a time‐dependent activity decrease. No ADAMTS13 activity decrease was seen in heparinized plasma, but the addition of citrate again caused ADAMTS13 instability at 37°C. Scavenging of citrate by the addition of Ca2+ or Zn2+ prior to but not postincubation prevented the activity decrease of the enzyme. The SEC‐ICP‐MS analyses showed that ADAMTS13 only bound Zn2+ and that its reduced activity correlated with a gradual loss of bound Zn2+. Concomitant higher‐order structural analyses demonstrated structural changes in ADAMTS13 that are typical of less‐ordered protein structures. Conclusions Zn2+ is required to stabilize ADAMTS13 structure at physiologic temperature, thereby preventing irreversible loss of enzyme activity. This finding is particularly important to consider when using citrated human plasma as a source of ADAMTS13 in clinical settings.