The key difference between factor V and factor V Leiden is that factor V is a protein of the blood coagulation system, while factor V Leiden is an abnormal factor V protein resulting from a point mutation in the factor V gene.
Blood clotting or coagulation is a very important process to prevent excessive bleeding when blood vessels are injured. The blood clotting process is controlled by platelets and other proteins called clotting factors in plasma. There are 13 clotting factors in plasma. Some clotting factors may have mutated versions due to their gene mutations that lead to certain disorders. Factor V and factor V Leiden are two clotting factors associated with the blood clotting process.
CONTENTS
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Factor V
3. What is Factor V Leiden
4. Similarities – Factor V and Factor V Leiden
5. Factor V vs. Factor V Leiden in Tabular Form
6. FAQ – Factor V and Factor V Leiden
7. Summary – Factor V vs. Factor V Leiden
What is Factor V?
Factor V is a protein in the blood clotting system of humans. It is also referred to as proaccelerin or labile factor. Compared to other coagulation factors, it is not enzymatically cleaved. It functions as a cofactor. This clotting factor is also related to multicopper oxidases and is homologous to coagulation factor VIII.
Figure 01: Factor V
The gene responsible for factor V is situated on chromosome 1 at position 1q24. This gene spans 70 kb in length and consists of 25 exons. Moreover, the resulting protein has a relative molecular mass of approximately 330 kDa. Furthermore, the deficiency of this particular clotting factor leads to hemorrhage, while some mutations are predisposed to thrombosis.
What is Factor V Leiden?
Factor V Leiden is an abnormal factor V protein. It is a result of a point mutation in the factor V gene. This mutation is most prevalent in people of northern European descent. Due to this mutation, factor V Leiden abnormal protein is relatively resistant to degradation by the endogenous anticoagulant protein C. Therefore, factor V remains active, which increases thrombin generation and leads to venous thromboembolism (VTE). The signs and symptoms of this condition may include pain, swelling, redness, warmth in the legs, sudden shortness of breath, chest pain when breathing in, a cough that produces bloody sputum, and rapid heartbeat. Factor V Leiden condition can result from inheriting either one copy or, rarely, two copies of the defective gene. Moreover, the risk factors that increase the likelihood of factor V Leiden condition may include immobility, estrogens, surgeries, and non-O blood group.
This condition can be diagnosed through family history and blood tests. Furthermore, treatment options for factor V Leiden condition may include a short course of blood thinners, leg wraps that inflate and deflate to keep blood moving in the legs, compression stockings, and going for walks soon after surgeries.
What are the Similarities Between Factor V and Factor V Leiden?
- Factor V and factor V Leiden are two clotting factors associated with blood clotting.
- Both are proteins in nature.
- They are encoded by genes located on chromosome 1.
- Both are encoded by genes having 25 exons.
What is the Difference Between Factor V and Factor V Leiden?
Factor V is a protein of the blood coagulation system, while factor V Leiden is an abnormal factor V protein resulting from a point mutation in the factor V gene. Thus, this is the key difference between factor V and factor V Leiden. Furthermore, factor V is not associated with blood disorders, while factor V Leiden is associated with blood disorders.
The infographic below presents the differences between factor V and factor V Leiden in tabular form for side-by-side comparison.
FAQ: Factor V and Factor V Leiden
Are there different types of Factor V?
Yes, there are different types of Factor V, including Factor V Leiden, Factor V Cambridge, and others.
Is Factor V Leiden the same as the Factor V Leiden mutation?
Yes, Factor V Leiden is often referred to as the Factor V Leiden mutation, as it specifically denotes a genetic mutation in the Factor V gene associated with an increased risk of blood clotting.
What are the two types of factor V Leiden?
Factor V Leiden exists in two forms:
Heterozygous Factor V Leiden: In this type, an individual inherits one copy of the mutated Factor V Leiden gene, increasing the risk of blood clotting.
Homozygous Factor V Leiden: In this more severe form, an individual inherits two copies of the mutated Factor V Leiden gene, significantly elevating the risk of blood clotting disorders.
Summary – Factor V vs. Factor V Leiden
A subtle balance between clotting activators and inhibitors governs the blood clotting system. Normally, many genes can contribute to the overall phenotype. Polymorphisms in genes of clotting factors may act to upregulate or downregulate the formation of thrombin. Factor V is a protein of the blood coagulation system, while factor V Leiden is an abnormal factor V protein resulting from a point mutation in the factor V gene. Moreover, due to this mutation, there is an increase in coagulation factor and a decrease in coagulation inhibitors, which may favor the development of venous thromboembolism (VTE). So, this summarizes the difference between factor V and factor V Leiden.
Reference:
1. “Factor V: NBDF.” National Hemophilia Foundation.
2. “Factor v Leiden.” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Protein F5 PDB 1czs” By Emw – Own work (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia