Isolation and characterization of collagen-binding domains from human von Willebrand factor

DNA fragments that encode two collagen-binding decapeptides from human von Willebrand factors vWF-H1 and vWF-H2 were cloned in Escherichia coli cells. The effective chimeric proteins vWF(H1)-CBD and vWF(H2)-CBD, which produce strains that contain corresponding decapeptide sequences, Gly-Ser spacer, and a cellulose-binding domain (CBD) from Anaerocellum thermophilum were constructed. Highly purified samples of vWF(H1)-CBD and vWF(H2)-CBD proteins were obtained using the one-stage purification method on cellulose and their ability to bind collagen was studied. The obtained constructions are planned to for use in the development of recombinant collagen-binding proteins with different biological activity, which will be used for the further development of a new generation of products and materials for medical purposes, e.g., various kids of implants and coatings.