vitamin K-dependent clotting factor

vitamin K-dependent clotting factor

Any of a group of coagulation factor proenzymes (factors II, VII, IX and X) produced in the liver that contain multiple residues of gamma-carboxyglutamic acid, an amino acid produced by the post-translational action of a vitamin K-dependent gamma-carboxylase on certain glutamyl residues.
 
Four other proteins have gamma-carboxyglutamic acid, and have been designated proteins C, S, Z and M; while M is poorly characterised, proteins C, S and Z have amino-terminal homology with prothrombin. Vitamin K-dependent clotting factors also have another unusual amino acid, aspartic acid.