Heparin sodium salt (CAS 9041-08-1)

Heparin sodium salt, a variant of the naturally occurring heparin polymer, operates primarily through its potent anticoagulant activity, which is initiated by its interaction with antithrombin (ATIII). This interaction is not merely a binding event but induces a profound conformational transformation within ATIII. This alteration significantly enhances the flexibility of ATIII′s reactive site loop, a structural modification for its inhibitory action on thrombin and other clotting factors, thereby halting the coagulation cascade. Beyond its anticoagulant function, Heparin sodium salt plays a critical role in research related to cellular signaling pathways, particularly through its capacity to activate the ryanodine receptor (RyR), a calcium channel integral to the regulation of calcium ion release in various types of cells. This activation implicates Heparin sodium salt in the study of calcium homeostasis and signaling, providing insights into cellular processes that go beyond its primary action on blood coagulation. Through these mechanisms, Heparin sodium salt serves as useful in the exploration of the intricate balance between coagulation and anticoagulation, as well as in the broader context of cellular function and signaling research.