The physics of von Willebrand factor (VWF) [Elektronische Ressource] / von Daniel Michael Steppich

The Physics of Von Willebrand Factor (VWF)DissertationvonDaniel Michael Steppich1. Gutachter: Prof. Dr. AchimWixforth2. Gutachter: Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Bru¨ttingTag der mu¨ndlichen Pru¨fung: 10.02.2009”I know a man who grabbed a cat by the tail and learned 40 per cent more about catsthan the man who didn’t.”Mark TwainIIContents1 Introduction 12 Abstract 33 Theory and Background 53.1 The Blood Clotting Protein Von Willebrand Factor . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53.1.1 Protein Structure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53.1.2 Biosysnthesis of Von Willebrand Factor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103.1.3 The Role of VWF in Blood Clotting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113.1.4 Mechanical Activation of VWF . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143.2 Interaction Forces on a Molecular Scale . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183.2.1 Van der Waals Interaction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183.2.2 Hydrogen Bonding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 213.2.3 Water Structure and the Hydrophobic Force . . . . . . . . . . . . . 213.2.4 Biophysical Sensing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 274 Materials and Methods 304.1 Atomic Force Microscopy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 304.1.1 Setup and Basic Principle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 304.1.2 Atomic Force Spectroscopy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 314.1.3 Imaging Modes . . . . . .