Molecular Weights of Human Prothrombin and Thrombin by Electron Irradiation

Abstract

Dried human prothrombin and thrombin were irradiated with 7 kv electrons. Thrombin was more radiation-sensitive when dried from liquid state than when freeze-dried. Prothrombin radiation sensitivity was not dependent on the drying method. Target volume calculations from the dose-survival curves gave estimates of molecular weights for prothrombin of 70, 000; freeze dried thrombin 35, 000 and thrombin dried as liquid 79,000.