High Molecular Weight Kininogen (HMWK) is a multifunctional plasma protein primarily synthesized by hepatocytes. As the precursor to bradykinin, HMWK plays a central role in the kallikrein-kinin system, where it is cleaved by plasma kallikrein to release bradykinin, a peptide that mediates vasodilation, increased vascular permeability, and pain signaling. Beyond its role as a bradykinin precursor, HMWK functions as a critical cofactor in the intrinsic pathway of blood coagulation, facilitating the activation of factors XI, XII, and prekallikrein. Additionally, HMWK acts as a major extracellular cysteine proteinase inhibitor, helping to regulate protease activity and protect tissues from excessive proteolysis.
Common research uses
Dysregulation of HMWK has been implicated in various pathological conditions, including hereditary angioedema, where bradykinin overproduction leads to recurrent swelling episodes. Furthermore, altered kininogen activity is associated with cancer progression, muscular dystrophy, and joint diseases, making HMWK a potential therapeutic target and biomarker in these disorders.
Common uses include cardiovascular research, enzymatic and inhibition assays, therapeutics research, IVD Assay standards, calibrators and controls.
