Disulfide bridges in NH2-terminal part of human fibrinogen

Abstract The NH 2 -terminal portion of fibrinogen (N-DSK) obtained by cleavage with CNBr is a dimeric structure (M.W. 58,000). We have found that the half-molecules of N-DSK are held together by symmetrical disulfide bridges in its Aα- and γ-chains. Consequently the two half-molecules of fibrinogen are linked in the same way. In addition, N-DSK contains inter chain disulfide bridges within its half-molecules. The arrangement of these bridges is shown and the geometry in relation to function discussed.