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Protein Z Deficiency
Patient Education
- Thrombotic Disorders
- Overview of Thrombotic Disorders
- Antiphospholipid Antibody Syndrome (APS)
- Antithrombin Deficiency
- Hyperhomocysteinemia
- Factor V Resistance to Activated Protein C (APC)
- Protein C Deficiency
- Protein S Deficiency
- Protein Z Deficiency
- Prothrombin (Factor II) 20210 Gene Mutation
(See also Overview of Thrombotic Disorders.)
Because protein Z helps inactivate coagulation factor Xa, deficiency or dysfunction of protein Z predisposes to venous thrombosis (mainly in patients with other clotting abnormalities).
Protein Z, a vitamin K–dependent protein, functions as a cofactor to down-regulate coagulation by forming a complex with the plasma protein, Z-dependent protease inhibitor (ZPI). The complex predominantly inactivates factor Xa on phospholipid surfaces.
The consequence of protein Z or ZPI deficiency, or of autoantibodies to protein Z, in the pathophysiology of thrombosis and fetal loss is not completely clear; however, either defect may make thrombosis more likely if an affected patient also has another congenital coagulation abnormality (eg, factor V Leiden).
Quantification of protein Z, ZPI, and protein Z autoantibodies is done in specialized regional laboratories by plasma electrophoresis, immunoblotting, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.
It is not yet known whether anticoagulant therapy or prophylaxis is indicated in protein Z or ZPI deficiency.
* This is the Professional Version. *
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