Structural basis of antagonizing the vitamin K catalytic cycle for anticoagulation

Anticoagulants take over In its fully reduced form, vitamin K helps to catalyze an oxidation reaction essential for blood coagulations, but it must be regenerated in each reaction through reduction. Liu et al. determined the structures of the enzyme responsible, vitamin K epoxide reductase, bound to an oxidized vitamin K substrate or with anticoagulants, including the widely prescribed drug warfarin. Understanding how these molecules bind and inhibit explains some variations in the therapeutic response as well as resistance for anticoagulants used in pest control. Science , this issue p. 43