Refined 2.3 A X-ray crystal structure of bovine thrombin complexes formed with the benzamidine and arginine-based thrombin inhibitors NAPAP, 4-TAPAP and MQPA. A starting point for improving antithrombotics.

Well-diffracting crystals of bovine epsilon-thrombin in complex with several "non-peptidic" benzamidine and arginine-based thrombin inhibitors have been obtained by co-crystallization. The 2.3 A crystal structures of three complexes formed either with NAPAP, 4-TAPAP, or MQPA, were solved by Patterson search methods and refined to crystallographic R-values of 0.167 to 0.178. The active-site environment of thrombin is only slightly affected by binding of the different inhibitors; in particular, the exposed "60-insertion loop" essentially maintains its typical projecting structure. The D-stereoisomer of NAPAP and the L-stereoisomer of MQPA bind to thrombin with very similar conformations, as previously inferred from their binding to bovine trypsin; the arginine side-chain of the latter inserts into the specificity pocket in a "non-canonical" manner. The L-stereoisomer of 4-TAPAP, whose binding geometry towards trypsin was only poorly defined, is bound to the thrombin active-site in a compact conformation. In contrast to NAPAP, the distal p-amidino/guanidino groups of 4-TAPAP and MQPA do not interact with the carboxylate group of Asp189 in the thrombin specificity pocket in a "symmetrical" twin N-twin O manner, but through "lateral" single N-twin O contacts; in contrast to the p-amidino group of 4-TAPAP, however, the guanidyl group of MQPA packs favourably in the pocket due to an elaborate hydrogen bond network, which includes two entrapped water molecules. These thrombin structures confirm previous conclusions of the important role of the intermolecular hydrogen bonds formed with Gly216, and of the good sterical fit of the terminal bulky hydrophobic inhibitor groups with the hydrophobic aryl binding site and the S2-cavity, respectively, for tight thrombin active site binding of these non-peptidic inhibitors. These accurate crystal structures are presumed to be excellent starting points for the design and the elaboration of improved antithrombotics.     

Structure-activity relationships of new NAPAP-analogs

Several new analogs of the known thrombin inhibitor NAPAP were synthesized, in which the P2 glycine residue was substituted by natural and unnatural amino acids. The thrombin inhibitory potency was comparable to that of NAPAP. Several of the compounds had inhibition constants lower than 10 nM and a very high selectivity compared to trypsin, factor Xa and plasmin. In addition, analogs were prepared by alkylation of the N(alpha)-atom of the 4-amidinophenylalanine in P1 position, which showed a more than 10-fold lower thrombin inhibition. Furthermore, azaglycine was introduced instead of P2 glycine. For most of the inhibitors similar fast elimination rates were seen in rats after intravenous dosing, as found previously for NAPAP. Only some compounds, which contained a second basic group showed a slightly decreased cumulative biliary clearance.     

The crystal structures of human alpha-thrombin complexed with active site-directed diamino benzo[b]thiophene derivatives: a binding mode for a structurally novel class of inhibitors

The crystal structures of four active site-directed thrombin inhibitors, 1-4, in a complex with human alpha-thrombin have been determined and refined at up to 2.0 A resolution using X-ray crystallography. These compounds belong to a structurally novel family of inhibitors based on a 2,3-disubstituted benzo[b]thiophene structure. Compared to traditional active-site directed inhibitors, the X-ray crystal structures of these complexes reveal a novel binding mode. Unexpectedly, the lipophilic benzo[b]thiophene nucleus of the inhibitor appears to bind in the S1 specificity pocket. At the same time, the basic amine of the C-3 side chain of the inhibitor interacts with the mostly hydrophobic proximal, S2, and distal, S3, binding sites. The second, basic amine side chain at C-2 was found to point away from the active site, occupying a location between the S1 and S1' sites. Together, the aromatic rings of the C-2 and C-3 side chains sandwich the indole ring of Trp60D contained in the thrombin S2 insertion loop defined by the sequence "Tyr-Pro-Pro-Trp." [The thrombin residue numbering used in this study is equivalent to that reported for chymotrypsinogen (Hartley BS, Shotton DM, 1971, The enzymes, vol. 3. New York: Academic Press. pp 323-373).] In contrast to the binding mode of more classical thrombin inhibitors (D-Phe-Pro-Arg-H, NAPAP, Argatroban), this novel class of benzo[b]thiophene derivatives does not engage in hydrogen bond formation with Gly216 of the thrombin active site. A detailed analysis of the three-dimensional structures not only provides a clearer understanding of the interaction of these agents with thrombin, but forms a foundation for rational structure-based drug design. The use of the data from this study has led to the design of derivatives that are up to 2,900-fold more potent than the screening hit 1.     

Crystal structure of two new bifunctional nonsubstrate type thrombin inhibitors complexed with human alpha-thrombin.

The crystal structures of two new thrombin inhibitors, P498 and P500, complexed with human alpha-thrombin have been determined at 2.0 A resolution and refined to crystallographic R-factors of 0.170 and 0.169, respectively. These compounds, with picomolar binding constants, belong to a family of potent bifunctional inhibitors that bind thrombin at two remote sites: the active site and the fibrinogen recognition exosite (FRE). The inhibitors incorporate a nonsubstrate type active site binding fragment: Dansyl-Arg-(D)Pipecolic acid (Dns-Arg-(D)Pip), reminiscent of the active-site directed inhibitors MD-805 and MQPA, rendering them resistant to thrombin-induced hydrolysis. The FRE binding fragment of these inhibitors corresponds to the hirudin55-65 sequence. They differ in the chemical nature of the nonpeptidyl linker bridging these two functional activities. In both cases, the active site binding fragment is well defined in the electron density. The DnsH1, ArgH2, and (D)PipH3 groups occupy the S3, S1, and S2 subsites of thrombin, respectively, in a way similar to that observed in the thrombin-MQPA complexes. Binding in the active site of thrombin is characterized by numerous van der Waals contacts and ring-ring system interactions. Unlike in the substrate-like inhibitors, ArgH2 enters the S1 specificity pocket from the P2 position and adopts a bent conformation to make an hydrogen bond to the carboxylate of Asp189. In this noncanonical position, its carbonyl points away from the oxyanion hole, which is now occupied by well-ordered solvent molecules. The linkers fit in the groove extending from the active site to the FRE. The C-terminal fragments of both inhibitors bind in the same way as analogous FRE binding elements in previously described complexes.     

Isolation, cloning and structural characterisation of boophilin, a multifunctional Kunitz-type proteinase inhibitor from the cattle tick

Inhibitors of coagulation factors from blood-feeding animals display a wide variety of structural motifs and inhibition mechanisms. We have isolated a novel inhibitor from the cattle tick Boophilus microplus, one of the most widespread parasites of farm animals. The inhibitor, which we have termed boophilin, has been cloned and overexpressed in Escherichia coli. Mature boophilin is composed of two canonical Kunitz-type domains, and inhibits not only the major procoagulant enzyme, thrombin, but in addition, and by contrast to all other previously characterised natural thrombin inhibitors, significantly interferes with the proteolytic activity of other serine proteinases such as trypsin and plasmin. The crystal structure of the bovine alpha-thrombin.boophilin complex, refined at 2.35 A resolution reveals a non-canonical binding mode to the proteinase. The N-terminal region of the mature inhibitor, Q16-R17-N18, binds in a parallel manner across the active site of the proteinase, with the guanidinium group of R17 anchored in the S(1) pocket, while the C-terminal Kunitz domain is negatively charged and docks into the basic exosite I of thrombin. This binding mode resembles the previously characterised thrombin inhibitor, ornithodorin which, unlike boophilin, is composed of two distorted Kunitz modules. Unexpectedly, both boophilin domains adopt markedly different orientations when compared to those of ornithodorin, in its complex with thrombin. The N-terminal boophilin domain rotates 9 degrees and is displaced by 6 A, while the C-terminal domain rotates almost 6 degrees accompanied by a 3 A displacement. The reactive-site loop of the N-terminal Kunitz domain of boophilin with its P(1) residue, K31, is fully solvent exposed and could thus bind a second trypsin-like proteinase without sterical restraints. This finding explains the formation of a ternary thrombin.boophilin.trypsin complex, and suggests a mechanism for prothrombinase inhibition in vivo.     

Crystallographic determination of the structures of human alpha-thrombin complexed with BMS-186282 and BMS-189090.

The crystallographic structures of the ternary complexes of human alpha-thrombin with hirugen (a sulfated hirudin fragment) and the small-molecule active site thrombin inhibitors BMS-186282 and BMS-189090 have been determined at 2.6 and 2.8 A. In both cases, the inhibitors, which adopt very similar bound conformations, bind in an antiparallel beta-strand arrangement relative to the thrombin main chain in a manner like that reported for PPACK, D-Phe-Pro-Arg-CH2Cl. They do, however, exhibit differences in the binding of the alkyl guanidine moiety in the specificity pocket. Numerous hydrophilic and hydrophobic interactions serve to stabilize the inhibitors in the binding pocket. Although PPACK forms covalent bonds to both serine and the histidine of the catalytic triad of thrombin, neither BMS-186282 nor BMS-189090 bind covalently and only BMS-186282 forms a hydrogen bond to the serine of the catalytic triad. Both inhibitors bind with high affinity (Ki = 79 nM and 3.6 nM, respectively) and are highly selective for thrombin over trypsin and other serine proteases.     

Protease inhibitors, part 13: Specific, weakly basic thrombin inhibitors incorporating sulfonyl dicyandiamide moieties in their structure

A series of compounds has been prepared by reaction of dicyandiamide with alkyl/arylsulfonyl halides as well as arylsulfonylisocyanates to locate a lead for obtaining weakly basic thrombin inhibitors with sulfonyldicyandiamide moieties as the S1 anchoring group. The detected lead was sulfanilyl-dicyandiamide (K1 of 3 microM against thrombin, and 15 microM against trypsin), which has been further derivatized at the 4-amino group by incorporating arylsulfonylureido as well as amino acyl/dipeptidyl groups protected at the amino terminal moiety with benzyloxycarbonyl or tosylureido moieties. The best compound obtained (ts-D-Phe-Pro-sulfanilyl-dicyandiamide) showed inhibition constants of 9 nM against thrombin and 1400 nM against trypsin. pKa measurements showed that the new derivatives reported here do indeed possess a reduced basicity, with the pKa of the modified guanidine moieties in the range 7.9-8.3 pKa units. Molecular mechanics calculations showed that the preferred tautomeric form of these compounds is of the type ArSO2N=C(NH2) NH-CN, probably allowing for the formation of favorable interaction between this new anchoring group and the active site amino acid residue Asp 189, critical for substrate/inhibitor binding to this type of serine protease. Thus, the main finding of the present paper is that the sulfonyldicyandiamide group may constitute an interesting alternative for obtaining weakly basic, potent thrombin inhibitors, which bind with less affinity to trypsin.     

Structural basis for the design of novel Schiff base metal chelate inhibitors of trypsin

The crystal structures of the complexes of bovine trypsin with m-guanidinosalicylidene-l-alaninato(aqua)copper(II) hydrochloride (inhibitor 1), [N,N′-bis(m-guanidinosalicylidene)ethylenediaminato]copper(II) (inhibitor 2), and [N,N′-bis(m-amidinosalicylidene)ethylenediaminato]copper(II) (inhibitor 4) have been determined. The guanidine-containing trypsin-inhibitors (1 and 2) bind to the trypsin active site in a manner similar to that previously reported for amidine-containing inhibitors, for example, m-amidinosalicylidene-l-alaninato(aqua)copper(II) hydrochloride (inhibitor 3). However, the binding mode of the guanidino groups of inhibitors 1 and 2 to Asp189 in the S1 pocket of trypsin was found to be markedly different from that of the amidino group of inhibitor 3. The present X-ray analyses revealed that the interactions of the metal ion of the inhibitors with the active site residues of trypsin play a crucial role in the binding affinity to the trypsin molecule. These structural information and inhibitory activity data for amidine- and guanidine-containing Schiff base metal chelate inhibitors provide new avenues for designing novel inhibitors against physiologically important trypsin-like serine proteases.     

1-Aminoisoquinoline as benzamidine isoster in the design and synthesis of orally active thrombin inhibitors

Replacement of the highly basic benzamidine moiety of NAPAP by the moderately basic 1-aminoisoquinoline moiety resulted in thrombin inhibitors with improved selectivity towards trypsin and enhanced Caco-2 cell permeability.     

D-Phe-Pro-Arg type thrombin inhibitors: unexpected selectivity by modification of the P1 moiety

Synthesis of thrombin inhibitors and their binding mode to thrombin is described. Modification of the P1 moiety leads to an increased selectivity versus trypsin. The observed selectivity is discussed in view of their thrombin-inhibitor complex X-ray structures.     

Overlapping binding sites for trypsin and papain on a Kunitz-type proteinase inhibitor from Prosopis juliflora

Proteinase inhibitors are among the most promising candidates for expression by transgenic plants and consequent protection against insect predation. However, some insects can respond to the threat of the proteinase inhibitor by the production of enzymes insensitive to inhibition. Inhibitors combining more than one favorable activity are therefore strongly favored. Recently, a known small Kunitz trypsin inhibitor from Prosopis juliflora (PTPKI) has been shown to possess unexpected potent cysteine proteinase inhibitory activity. Here we show, by enzyme assay and gel filtration, that, unlike other Kunitz inhibitors with dual activities, this inhibitor is incapable of simultaneous inhibition of trypsin and papain. These data are most readily interpreted by proposing overlapping binding sites for the two enzymes. Molecular modeling and docking experiments favor an interaction mode in which the same inhibitor loop that interacts in a canonical fashion with trypsin can also bind into the papain catalytic site cleft. Unusual residue substitutions at the proposed interface can explain the relative rarity of twin trypsin/papain inhibition. Other changes seem responsible for the relative low affinity of PTPKI for trypsin. The predicted coincidence of trypsin and papain binding sites, once confirmed, would facilitate the search, by phage display for example, for mutants highly active against both proteinases.     

Comparative molecular modeling analysis of­5‐amidinoindole and benzamidine binding to thrombin and trypsin: specific H‐bond formation contributes to high 5‐amidinoindole potency and selectivity for thrombin and factor Xa

The coagulation cascade enzymes thrombin and factor Xa are known to have specificity pockets very similar to those of trypsin and plasmin. However, comparative molecular modeling analysis of the crystal structures of benzamidine–thrombin and benzamidine–trypsin, in conjunction with a docking analysis of 5‐amidinoindole and related inhibitors in both enzymes reveals subtle differences between the specificity sites of the two types of enzymes. Specifically, thrombin and factor Xa, which have an alanine residue at position 190, exhibit increased activities for the rigid and more bulky bicyclic derivatives of benzamidine (e.g. amidinobenzofuran, amidinothiophene and amidinoindole), because of additional hydrophobic and H‐bond interactions between the inhibitors and the specificity sites, whereas enzymes with a serine residue at position 190, like trypsin and plasmin, exhibit little difference in activity among the same set of compounds because of the orientational restriction imposed on the inhibitors by Ser190, which forms an additional H‐bond with the amidino group of the inhibitors. Enzymes of both groups show similar responses to the flexible aminobenzamidine since the smaller size and the rotatable anilino group of the inhibitor would allow the inhibitor to achieve favorable electrostatic interactions with both groups of enzymes. 5‐Amidinoindole is the most dramatic example of the rigid bicyclic type inhibitor. Based on our docking analysis, we propose that a selective H‐bond with the hydroxyl group of the catalytic Ser195 and the subtle differences in steric fit imposed by Ala/Ser at position 190 explain the high potency and selectivity of 5‐amidinoindole for thrombin and factor Xa. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Canonical inhibitor-like interactions explain reactivity of alpha1-proteinase inhibitor Pittsburgh and antithrombin with proteinases

The serpin antithrombin is a slow thrombin inhibitor that requires heparin to enhance its reaction rate. In contrast, alpha1-proteinase inhibitor (alpha1PI) Pittsburgh (P1 Met --> Arg natural variant) inhibits thrombin 17 times faster than pentasaccharide heparin-activated antithrombin. We present here x-ray structures of free and S195A trypsin-bound alpha1PI Pittsburgh, which show that the reactive center loop (RCL) possesses a canonical conformation in the free serpin that does not change upon binding to S195A trypsin and that contacts the proteinase only between P2 and P2'. By inference from the structure of heparin cofactor II bound to S195A thrombin, this RCL conformation is also appropriate for binding to thrombin. Reaction rates of trypsin and thrombin with alpha1PI Pittsburgh and antithrombin and their P2 variants show that the low antithrombin-thrombin reaction rate results from the antithrombin RCL sequence at P2 and implies that, in solution, the antithrombin RCL must be in a similar canonical conformation to that found here for alpha1PI Pittsburgh, even in the nonheparin-activated state. This suggests a general, limited, canonical-like interaction between serpins and proteinases in their Michaelis complexes.     

Discovery of benzothiazole guanidines as novel inhibitors of thrombin and trypsin IV

In a project to find novel neutral P1 fragments for the synthesis of thrombin inhibitors with improved pharmacokinetic properties, fragments containing a benzothiazole guanidine scaffold were identified as weak thrombin inhibitors. WaterLOGSY (Water-Ligand Observed via Gradient SpectroscopY) NMR was used to detect fragments binding to thrombin and these fragments were followed up by Biacore A100 affinity measurements and enzyme assays. A crystal structure of the most potent compound with thrombin was obtained and revealed an unexpected binding mode as well as the key interactions of the fragment with the protein. Based on these results, the structure-based design and synthesis of a small series of optimized novel substituted benzothiazole guanidines with comparatively low pK(a) values was accomplished. Testing of these compounds against human trypsin I and human trypsin IV revealed unexpected inhibitory activity and selectivity of some of the compounds, making them attractive starting points for selective trypsin inhibitors.     

Crystal structures of thrombin complexed to a novel series of synthetic inhibitors containing a 5,5-trans-lactone template.

The binding modes of four active site-directed, acylating inhibitors of human alpha-thrombin have been determined using X-ray crystallography. These inhibitors (GR157368, GR166081, GR167088, and GR179849) are representatives of a series utilizing a novel 5, 5-trans-lactone template to specifically acylate Ser195 of thrombin, resulting in an acyl complex. In each case the crystal structure of the complex reveals a binding mode which is consistent with the formation of a covalent bond between the ring-opened lactone of the inhibitor and residue Ser195. Improvements in potency and selectivity of these inhibitors for thrombin are rationalized on the basis of the observed protein/inhibitor interactions identified in these complexes. Occupation of the thrombin S2 and S3 pockets is shown to be directly correlated with improved binding and a degree of selectivity. The binding mode of GR179849 to thrombin is compared with the thrombin/PPACK complex [Bode, W., Turk, D., and Karshikov, A. (1992) Protein Sci. 1, 426-471] as this represents the archetypal binding mode for a thrombin inhibitor. This series of crystal structures is the first to be reported of synthetic, nonpeptidic acylating inhibitors bound to thrombin and provides details of the molecular recognition features that resulted in nanomolar potency.     

Hirunorms are true hirudin mimetics. The crystal structure of human alpha-thrombin-hirunorm V complex.

A novel class of synthetic, multisite-directed thrombin inhibitors, known as hirunorms, has been described recently. These compounds were designed to mimic the binding mode of hirudin, and they have been proven to be very strong and selective thrombin inhibitors. Here we report the crystal structure of the complex formed by human alpha-thrombin and hirunorm V, a 26-residue polypeptide containing non-natural amino acids, determined at 2.1 A resolution and refined to an R-factor of 0.176. The structure reveals that the inhibitor binding mode is distinctive of a true hirudin mimetic, and it highlights the molecular basis of the high inhibitory potency (Ki is in the picomolar range) and the strong selectivity of hirunorm V. Hirunorm V interacts through the N-terminal tetrapeptide with the thrombin active site in a nonsubstrate mode; at the same time, this inhibitor specifically binds through the C-terminal segment to the fibrinogen recognition exosite. The backbone of the N-terminal tetrapeptide Chg1"-Val2"-2-Nal3"-Thr4" (Chg, cyclohexyl-glycine; 2-Nal, beta-(2-naphthyl)-alanine) forms a short beta-strand parallel to thrombin main-chain residues Ser214-Gly219. The Chg1" side chain fills the S2 subsite, Val2" is located at the entrance of S1, whereas 2-Nal3" side chain occupies the aryl-binding site. Such backbone orientation is very close to that observed for the N-terminal residues of hirudin, and it is similar to that of the synthetic retro-binding peptide BMS-183507, but it is opposite to the proposed binding mode of fibrinogen and of small synthetic substrates. Hirunorm V C-terminal segment binds to the fibrinogen recognition exosite, similarly to what observed for hirudin C-termninal tail and related compounds. The linker polypeptide segment connecting hirunorm V N-and C-terminal regions is not observable in the electron density maps. The crystallographic analysis proves the correctness of the design and it provides a compelling proof on the interaction mechanism for this novel class of high potency multisite-directed synthetic thrombin inhibitors.     

The primary structures of Pseudomonas AM1 amicyanin and pseudoazurin. Two new sequence classes of blue copper proteins.

After cleavage of the thioester bonds of human alpha 2-macroglobulin (alpha 2M) by methylamine, the inhibitor undergoes an extensive conformational change and loses its ability to bind proteinases. In contrast, similar cleavage in the presence of dinitrophenyl thiocyanate, a reagent that cyanylates the liberated thiol groups, does not change the mobility of alpha 2M in gel electrophoresis, and the inhibitor also retains activity [Van Leuven, Marynen, Cassiman & Van den Berghe (1982) Biochem. J. 203, 405-411]. Analyses in this work show that also the spectroscopic properties of alpha 2M are essentially unperturbed under these conditions. These observations are consistent with the major change of the conformation of the protein having been arrested by the cyanylation reaction. However, several functional properties of the protein are altered, indicating that a limited conformational change does occur. The apparent stoichiometry of binding of trypsin is thus decreased to about 0.5 mol of enzyme/mol of alpha 2M. Nevertheless trypsin induces a similar conformational change in all molecules of the modified inhibitor as that induced in untreated alpha 2M. This behaviour indicates a similar mode of binding of the enzyme to the modified alpha 2M as to intact alpha 2M, but also a high extent of non-productive activation of binding sites in the modified inhibitor. A further difference to untreated alpha 2M is that most of the bound trypsin molecules react considerably faster with soya-bean trypsin inhibitor. The rate of inhibition of thrombin is also greatly decreased, and the modified inhibitor is more sensitive than untreated alpha 2M to proteolysis at sites outside the ''bait'' region. The properties of the cyanylated human alpha 2M are thus similar to those of bovine alpha 2M in which the thioester bonds have been cleaved by methylamine in the absence of the cyanylating reagent [Björk, Lindblom & Lindahl (1985) Biochemistry 24, 2653-2660]. These results indicate that the thioester bonds of human and bovine alpha 2M are not required as such for the stability of the gross conformation of the protein or for the binding of proteinases. Nevertheless they participate directly in maintaining certain structural features, similar in the two inhibitors, that are necessary for full proteinase-binding ability. Disruption of these structures leads to a slower and less efficient trapping of the enzymes.     

Structural insights into the unique inhibitory mechanism of Kunitz type trypsin inhibitor from Cicer arietinum L.

Kunitz-type trypsin inhibitors bind to the active pocket of trypsin causing its inhibition. Plant Kunitz-type inhibitors are thought to be important in defense, especially against insect pests. From sequence analysis of various Kunitz-type inhibitors from plants, we identified CaTI2 from chickpea as a unique variant lacking the functionally important arginine residue corresponding to the soybean trypsin inhibitor (STI) and having a distinct and unique inhibitory loop organization. To further explore the implications of these sequence variations, we obtained the crystal structure of recombinant CaTI2 at 2.8Å resolution. It is evident from the structure that the variations in the inhibitory loop facilitates non-substrate like binding of CaTI2 to trypsin, while the canonical inhibitor STI binds to trypsin in substrate like manner. Our results establish the unique mechanism of trypsin inhibition by CaTI2, which warrant further research into its substrate spectrum. Abbreviations BApNA Nα-Benzoyl-L-arginine 4-nitroanilide

BPT bovine pancreatic trypsin

CaTI2 Cicer arietinum L trypsin inhibitor 2

DrTI Delonix regia Trypsin inhibitor

EcTI Enterolobium contortisiliquum trypsin inhibitor

ETI Erythrina caffra trypsin inhibitor

KTI Kunitz type inhibitor

STI soybean trypsin inhibitor

TKI Tamarindus indica Kunitz inhibitor

Communicated By Ramaswamy H. Sarma     

Templating ��-amylase peptide inhibitors with organotin compounds

Metal centers have been widely used to nucleate secondary structures in linear peptides. However, very few examples have been reported for peptide/organometal complexes. Here, we illustrate the use of organotin compounds as nucleation centers for secondary structures of linear peptide inhibitors of ??-amylase. Specifically, we utilized methyl-substituted tin compounds to template short type I ??-turns similar to the binding loop of tendamistat, the natural inhibitor of the enzyme, which are able to bind and inhibit ??-amylase. We show that enzyme activity is inhibited by neither the unstructured peptide nor the organotin compounds, but rather the peptide/organotin complex, which inhibits the enzyme with K _i?~?0.5???M. The results delineate a strategy to use organometallic compounds to drive the active conformation in small linear peptides.     

Proteinase inhibition using small Bowman-Birk-type structures

Bowman-Birk inhibitors (BBIs) are cysteine-rich and highly cross-linked small proteins that function as specific pseudosubstrates for digestive proteinases. They typically display a "double-headed" structure containing an independent proteinase-binding loop that can bind and inhibit trypsin, chymotrypsin and elastase. In the present study, we used computational biology to study the structural characteristics and dynamics of the inhibition mechanism of the small BBI loop expressing a 35-amino acid polypeptide (ChyTB2 inhibitor) which has coding region for the mutated chymotrypsin-inhibitory site of the soybean BBI. We found that in the BBI-trypsin inhibition complex, the most important interactions are salt bridges and hydrogen bonds, whereas in the BBI-chymotrypsin inhibition complex, the most important interactions are hydrophobic. At the same time, ChyTB2 mutant structure maintained the individual functional domain structure and excellent binding/inhibiting capacities for trypsin and chymotrypsin at the same time. These results were confirmed by enzyme-linked immunosorbend assay experiments. The results showed that modeling combined with molecular dynamics is an efficient method to describe, predict and then obtain new proteinase inhibitors. For such study, however, it is necessary to start from the sequence and structure of the mutant interacting relatively strongly with both trypsin and chymotrypsin for designing the small BBI-type inhibitor against proteinases.