The mechanism by which ristocetin induces platelet agglutination in the presence of the von Willebrand factor was studied by chemically altering ristocetin and a similar antibiotic, vancomycin, by reaction with a water-soluble carbodiimide in the presence of glycine methyl ester at pH 4.75. Altering ristocetin's phenolic groups (which are thought to be important in its peptide-binding properties) resulted in a loss of both platelet-agglutinating and antibiotic activities. Restoring the phenolic groups with hydroxylamine restored both activities.
Barry S. Coller, Harvey R. Gralnick
The Editorial Board will only consider comments that are deemed relevant and of interest to readers. The Journal will not post data that have not been subjected to peer review; or a comment that is essentially a reiteration of another comment.