A hypothetical model of the von Willebrand factor A1 domain and alpha-thrombin concurrently bound to one molecule of glycoprotein Ib.

The figure shows a hypothetical model of the von Willebrand factor A1 domain and alpha-thrombin concurrently bound to one molecule of glycoprotein Ib. Efforts are devoted to solving the crystal structure of this triple complex to understand how thrombin may modulate the binding of von Willebrand factor to platelets and thus modulate platelet adhesion and aggregation at sites of vascular injury. The model was produced in collaboration with Kottayil Varughese.