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F11 gene
Reviewed by Medicinsk Expert•Last updated: 2026-10-22•Gene

F11 gene

The F11 gene provides instructions for making coagulation factor XI, a protein that plays a critical role in the coagulation cascade to form blood clots.

Normal Function

The F11 gene provides instructions for making the protein factor XI. This protein is a key component of the coagulation cascade, a series of chemical reactions that form blood clots in response to injury. Produced primarily in the liver, factor XI circulates in the bloodstream in an inactive state. When activated by an injury, it interacts with other coagulation factors to convert prothrombin into thrombin. Thrombin then converts fibrinogen into fibrin, which creates the physical structure of a blood clot.

Health Conditions Related to Genetic Changes

Factor XI deficiency

Approximately 250 mutations in the F11 gene have been found to cause factor XI deficiency. While typically mild, this bleeding disorder can cause:

  • Nosebleeds
  • Easy bruising
  • Bleeding under the skin
  • Bleeding of the gums
  • Prolonged or excessive bleeding following surgery, dental procedures, or trauma

Mutations reduce the amount of factor XI in the blood or result in a protein with impaired function, which slows the clotting process. The severity of bleeding symptoms does not always correlate with the amount of factor XI in the bloodstream, suggesting that other genetic and environmental factors influence the condition.

Other Names for This Gene

  • coagulation factor XI preproprotein
  • FXI
  • plasma thromboplastin antecedent
  • PTA

Frequently Asked Questions

Seek emergency care for severe, uncontrolled bleeding (e.g., heavy nosebleeds that won't stop, significant bleeding after a minor cut, or any bleeding into joints or muscles causing pain and swelling). Also, any head injury, even minor, should prompt immediate medical evaluation due to the risk of internal bleeding.
Individuals should avoid medications that thin the blood, like aspirin or NSAIDs, unless specifically advised by a doctor. Contact sports or activities with a high risk of injury should be approached with caution. Always inform healthcare providers, especially dentists and surgeons, about your condition before any procedures.
Yes, factor XI deficiency is an inherited condition caused by mutations in the F11 gene. It's typically inherited in an autosomal recessive pattern, meaning a person must inherit two copies of the mutated gene (one from each parent) to develop the condition. If both parents are carriers, there's a 25% chance with each pregnancy that their child will have the deficiency.
Diagnosis involves blood tests to measure factor XI levels. A reduced level indicates deficiency. However, the severity of bleeding symptoms doesn't always directly match the factor XI level, meaning some people with low levels might have mild bleeding, while others with similar levels might have more significant issues.
Source: MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine

MedlinePlus brings together authoritative health information from the National Library of Medicine (NLM), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and other government agencies and health-related organizations.

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