The acid-stable proteinase inhibitor of human mucous secretions (HUSI-I, antileukoprotease). Complete amino acid sequence as revealed by protein and cDNA sequencing and structural homology to whey proteins and Red Sea turtle proteinase inhibitor

The complete amino acid sequence of human antileukoprotease has been determined by direct sequencing of the inhibitory active protein isolated from seminal plasma (HUSI-I) and by sequence analysis of cDNA reverse-transcribed from mRNA prepared from cervical tissue. The inhibitor (Mr 11726) consists of 107 amino acid residues including 16 cysteines presumably forming disulfide bonds. The molecule comprises two consecutive domains which are homologous to each other, to the second domain of the basic protease inhibitor from Red Sea turtle (chelonianin) and to both domains of the whey proteins of rat and mouse. Both domains contain a pattern of cysteines known as the 'four-disulfide-core' that has also been found in wheat germ agglutinin and neurophysin.     

Inhibition of mast cell chymase by eglin c and antileukoprotease (HUSI-I). Indications for potential biological functions of these inhibitors

Recombinant eglin c (originally isolated from the medical leech) and antileukoprotease (HUSI-I from human seminal plasma) were examined for their ability to inhibit the mastcell protease chymase. Both inhibitors react rapidly with the enzyme: when about equimolar concentrations (in the range of 10(-8) M) of chymase and HUSI-I or eglin c were incubated the complex formation was apparently at equilibrium after 1 or 5 min respectively. When a constant amount of chymase (approximately 3 X 10(-8) M) was incubated with increasing concentrations of inhibitor a concentration of HUSI-I of 7 X 10(-7) M was necessary to cause 50% inhibition of the initial enzyme activity, whereas 8 X 10(-8) M eglin c was sufficient. The dissociation constant of the chymase-eglin c complex was calculated to be 4.4 X 10(-8) M. These results are discussed with respect to the possible in vivo function of antileukoprotease as an inhibitor of mast cell chymase.     

Human plasma alpha-cysteine proteinase inhibitor. Purification by affinity chromatography, characterization and isolation of an active fragment.

Human plasma alpha-cysteine proteinase inhibitor (alpha CPI) was purified by a two-stage method: affinity chromatography on S-carboxymethyl-papain-Sepharose, and high-resolution anion-exchange chromatography. The protein was obtained as a form of Mr about 64 000 and material of higher Mr (about 100 000). In sodium dodecyl sulphate/polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis with reduction, both forms showed a major component of Mr 64 000. An antiserum was raised against alpha CPI, and 'rocket' immunoassays showed the mean concentration in sera from 19 individuals to be 35.9 mg/dl. Both low-Mr and high-Mr forms of alpha CPI were confirmed to be sialoglycoproteins by the decrease in electrophoretic mobility after treatment with neuraminidase. alpha CPI was shown immunologically to be distinct from antithrombin III and alpha 1-antichymotrypsin, two serine proteinase inhibitors from plasma with somewhat similar Mr values. alpha CPI was also distinct from cystatins A and B, the two intracellular low-Mr cysteine proteinase inhibitors from human liver. Complexes of alpha CPI with papain were detectable in immunoelectrophoresis, but dissociated to free enzyme and intact inhibitor in sodium dodecyl sulphate/polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis. The stoichiometry of binding of papain was close to 1:1 for both low-Mr and high-Mr forms. alpha CPI was found to be a tight-binding inhibitor of papain and human cathepsins H and L (Ki 34 pM, 1.1 nM and 62 pM respectively). By contrast, inhibition of cathepsin B was much weaker, Ki being about 35 microM. Dipeptidyl peptidase I also was weakly inhibited. Digestion of alpha CPI with bromelain gave rise to an inhibitory fragment of Mr about 22 000, which was isolated.     

Acid-stable protease inhibiting polypeptides formed from denatured horse plasma by proteolysis

1. Trypsin digestion of perchloric acid precipitated horse plasma yielded polypeptides with inhibitory properties for trypsin, chymotrypsin and, to a small extent, kallikrein. 2. The Mr of the inhibitory polypeptides were 73,000 and 24,000. 3. The number, enzyme specificity and Mr of the inhibitory polypeptides differed from the values known for the human being. 4. The inhibitory polypeptides were purified by affinity chromatography on Sepharose-trypsin and by gel filtration through Sephadex G-75. 5. Protease inhibitory polypeptides were generated in the same manner by chymotrypsin, elastase, proteinase K, pronase, collagenase, papain and subtilisin. 6. The number and electrophoretic migration of the inhibitory polypeptides obtained with the different enzymes were variable. 7. The enzyme specificity was constant since all polypeptides inhibited only trypsin, chymotrypsin and kallikrein to a small extent. 8. None of the inhibitory polypeptides were immunologically related to native plasma proteins or plasma protease inhibitors.     

The primary inhibitor of plasmin in human plasma.

A complex between plasmin and an inhibitor was isolated by affinity chromatography from urokinase-activated human plasma. The complex did not react with antibodies against any of the known proteinase inhibitors in plasma. A rabbit antiserum against the complex was produced. It contained antibodies agianst plasminogen+plasmin and an alpha2 protein. By crossed immunoelectrophoresis the alpha2 protein was shown to form a complex with plasmin, when generated by urokinase in plasma, and with purified plasmin. The alpha2 protein was eluted by Sephadex G-200 gel filtration with KD approx. 0.35, different from the other inhibitors of plasmin in plasma, and corresponding to an apparent relative molecular mass (Mr) of about 75000. By sodium dodecyl sulphate/polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis, the Mr of the complex was found to be approx. 130000. After reduction of the complex two main bands of protein were observed, with Mr, about 72000 and 66000, probably representing an acyl-enzyme complex of plasmin-light chain and inhibitor-heavy chain, and a plasmin-heavy chain. A weak band with Mr 9000 was possibly an inhibitor-light chain. The inhibitor was partially purified and used to titrate purified plasmin of known active-site concentration. The inhibitor bound plasmin rapidly and strongly. Assuming an equimolar combining ratio, the concentration of active inhibitor in normal human plasma was estimated to be 1.1 mumol/1. A fraction about 0.3 of the antigenic inhibitor protein appeared to be functionally inactive. In plasma, plasmin is primarily bound to the inhibitor. Only after its saturation does lysis of fibrinogen and fibrin occur and a complex between plasmin and alpha2 macroglobulin appear.     

Gelatinases and serine proteinase inhibitors of seminal plasma and the reproductive tract of turkey (Meleagris gallopavo)

This study examined proteolytic enzymes and serine proteinase inhibitors in turkey seminal plasma with relation to their distribution within the reproductive tract and to yellow semen syndrome (YSS). Proteases of blood plasma, extracts from the reproductive tract, and seminal plasma were analyzed by gelatin zymography. We found a clear regional distribution of proteolytic enzymes in the turkey reproductive tract. Each part was characterized by a unique profile of serine proteolytic enzymes of molecular weights ranging from 29 to 88 kDa. The ductus deferens was found to be a site of very intense proteolytic activity. Two metalloproteases of 58 and 66 kDa were detected in all parts of the reproductive tract and seminal plasma. Using electrophoretic methods for detection of anti-trypsin activity, we found three serine proteinase inhibitors in turkey seminal plasma. Two inhibitors were found in the testis and epididymis and a third in the ductus deferens and seminal plasma. Blood plasma was characterized by the presence of two metalloproteinases and one serine proteinase inhibitor (of low migration rate) that were also detected in the reproductive tract. Amidase and anti-trypsin activities (expressed per gram of protein) differed for yellow and white seminal plasma. We concluded that turkey seminal plasma contains metalloproteases, serine proteinases, and serine proteinase inhibitors. The metalloproteases and one proteinase inhibitor are related to blood proteinases but the other two inhibitors and serine proteinases seem to be unique for the reproductive tract.     

Amidolytic activity of prostatic acid phosphatase on human semenogelins and semenogelin-derived synthetic substrates.

In addition to kallikrein hK3, a serine protease generally reported as PSA (prostate-specific antigen), at least two other enzymes in human seminal plasma also cleave synthetic peptidyl substrates derived from the sequence of human semenogelins. We have identified one of these as prostatic acid phosphatase (PAP), a major component of prostatic fluid whose physiological function is unclear. The other is a high Mr basic protein present at low concentrations in seminal plasma and that remains to be characterized. PAP was purified to homogeneity from freshly ejaculated seminal plasma. Its N-terminal sequence and its phosphatase properties (hydrolysis of para-nitrophenylphosphate at low pH) were determined, and its inhibition by sodium fluoride measured. Both purified and commercial PAP also had amidolytic activity on peptide substrates derived from the semenogelin sequence at neutral and slightly basic pH. The k(cat)/K(m) values were in the 10(2)-10(3) m(-1) x s(-1) range using fluorogenic semenogelin-derived substrates whose peptidyl moiety included cleavage sites that had been identified ex vivo. PAP cleavage sites differed from those of hK3 and were mainly at P1 = Gln residues or between residues bearing hydroxyl groups. PAP amidolytic activity was poorly inhibited by all currently used wide spectrum proteinase inhibitors. Only 3-4 dichloroisocoumarin and benzamidine inhibited purified PAP. Purified human semenogelin was cleaved by purified and commercial PAP at neutral pH; the two main cleavage sites were at Tyr292 and Ser170 (semenogelin I sequence), only the former has been identified ex vivo by analysis of seminal plasma.     

Isolation, characterization and cDNA sequencing of a Kazal family proteinase inhibitor from seminal plasma of turkey (Meleagris gallopavo)

The turkey reproductive tract and seminal plasma contain a serine proteinase inhibitor that seems to be unique for the reproductive tract. Our experimental objective was to isolate, characterize and cDNA sequence the Kazal family proteinase inhibitor from turkey seminal plasma and testis. Seminal plasma contains two forms of a Kazal family inhibitor: virgin (Ia) represented by an inhibitor of moderate electrophoretic migration rate (present also in the testis) and modified (Ib, a split peptide bond) represented by an inhibitor with a fast migration rate. The inhibitor from the seminal plasma was purified by affinity, ion-exchange and reverse phase chromatography. The testis inhibitor was purified by affinity and ion-exchange chromatography. N-terminal Edman sequencing of the two seminal plasma inhibitors and testis inhibitor were identical. This sequence was used to construct primers and obtain a cDNA sequence from the testis. Analysis of a cDNA sequence indicated that turkey proteinase inhibitor belongs to Kazal family inhibitors (pancreatic secretory trypsin inhibitors, mammalian acrosin inhibitors) and caltrin. The turkey seminal plasma Kazal inhibitor belongs to low molecular mass inhibitors and is characterized by a high value of the equilibrium association constant for inhibitor/trypsin complexes.     

Cysteine proteinase inhibitors in human and rat male sex glands

The testis and prostate of men had two types of cysteine proteinase inhibitors of different isoelectric point (pI = 4.5 and 6.3) and molecular masses (90,000 and 12,000). The seminal vesicle contained not only these two inhibitors but also a basic inhibitor with a pI = 9.5 and Mr 11,000. In rats, the inhibitors in the testis and prostate consisted of two types with pI values of 4.3 and 4.8 and Mr 90,000 for both. In addition to these two inhibitors, the seminal vesicle contained large amounts of two basic inhibitors with pI values of 7.5 and 8.3 and Mr of 11,000 for both. We suggest that the basic cysteine proteinase inhibitor found in semen might be excreted from or be modified in the seminal vesicle.     

Isolation and characterization of two new low-molecular-weight protein proteinase inhibitors from the granule-rich fraction of equine neutrophilic granulocytes

A new species of protein proteinase inhibitors was detected in the granule-rich fraction of equine neutrophilic granulocytes. Five isoinhibitors were identified with a narrow enzyme specificity towards two microbial proteinases, e.g., proteinase K and subtilisin. Two isoinhibitors were purified and partially characterized. They had an Mr of 11,300 and 7400, respectively, and were resistant to perchloric acid and heat treatment at 100 degrees C for 20 min. The inhibitors retained their activity over a broad range of pH (1-9 and 1-12, respectively). The possible biological function of this species of protein proteinase inhibitors as defensins (= endogenous antibiotics) is tentatively discussed.     

Resistance of horse alpha 1-proteinase inhibitor to perchloric acid denaturation and a simplified purification procedure resulting therefrom

Addition of perchloric acid (6.4% w/v final concentration) to horse alpha 1-proteinase inhibitor or to horse plasma neither precipitated nor inactivated alpha 1-proteinase inhibitor. None of the isoinhibitors of alpha 1-proteinase inhibitor was altered by dilute perchloric acid. This unexpected behavior led to a simplified procedure for the purification of horse alpha 1-proteinase inhibitor, consisting of removal of the bulk of plasma proteins, by perchloric acid precipitation and by gel filtration on Sephadex G-75 and G-200. The resulting preparations of alpha 1-proteinase inhibitor were immunogenically pure. The simplified purification procedure permitted the immunochemical comparison of the isoinhibitors of alpha 1-proteinase inhibitor, which proved to be immunologically identical.     

Acidic cysteine proteinase inhibitor in seminal plasma

A cysteine proteinase inhibitor with acidic isoelectric point (pI = 4.7-5.0) was found in human seminal plasma. Its apparent molecular mass is 16 kDa. It inhibits cysteine proteinases like ficin, cathepsin H, cathepsin B and papain. The inhibitory activity of seminal plasma against ficin is almost the same as that of human serum.     

Proteinase inhibitors in aggregated forms of boar seminal plasma proteins

Boar seminal plasma proteins were separated by gel chromatography on Sephadex G-75 into five fractions (I–V). Serine proteinase inhibitors were found mainly in the protein fraction with relative molecular weight 5–25 kDa. Small amounts of these inhibitors were also found in the high molecular weight protein fraction (M_r>100 kDa). The protein fraction containing most of the proteinase inhibitory activity was further separated by RP HPLC. Isolated proteins were characterized by SDS electrophoresis and immunoblotting, N-terminal amino acid sequencing and by determination of the proteinase inhibitory activity. In the fraction containing proteinase inhibitors, also β-microseminoprotein (β-MSP), AQN 1 and lactoferrin were identified. The possible existence of complexes of protein components in the fraction with relative molecular weight 5–25 kDa was studied in detail using gel chromatographic separation on Sephadex G-50. A part of proteinase inhibitors with M_r 8 kDa was eluted together with AQN 1 spermadhesin. An interaction of isolated spermadhesin AQN 1 and proteinase inhibitor was shown.     

Gelatinolytic proteinase activities in human seminal plasma

Proteinase activities in human seminal plasma were detected using gelatin-containing sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis zymography. Three prominent bands of activity of Mr 60,000, 66,000 and 90,000 were observed as well as 9 other bands of less intensity (34,000-158,000). These proteinases were dependent upon calcium for optimal activity, did not hydrolyse casein, and were predominantly in the soluble portion of seminal plasma. Examination of seminal plasma of men with different sperm concentrations, split ejaculates, and prostatic secretions indicated that the prostate gland was a source of most of these activities. Proteinase activities of Mr 34,000, 37,000, 82,000 and 120,000 were expressed more frequently in seminal plasma from normozoospermic men than from seminal plasma of oligo- or azoospermic men, indicating that they may also arise from spermatozoa in the semen sample. The proteinases of Mr 60,000 and 66,000 were found in all seminal plasmas whereas there was variation in the expression of the other molecular forms of enzyme, even in the normozoospermic samples. There are multiple forms of gelatinolytic proteinase activities in human seminal plasma which appear to arise from multiple sources in the reproductive tract including the Cowper's/urethral glands, the prostate gland, seminal vesicle and/or spermatozoa. Their function(s) in semen remains to be established.     

Isolation of a specific inhibitor of microbial serine proteinase from kidney bean seeds

A protein acting as a specific inhibitor of microbial serine proteinases was isolated from kidney bean seeds. The purification procedure included complex formation between the inhibitor and Aspergillus oryzae proteinase. The protein with a Mr approximately 10 000 inhibits subtilisin and Asp. oryzae proteinase but does not affect trypsin and chymotrypsin. The inhibitor molecule contains no half-cystine residues.     

Mechanism of activation of inactive renin in human plasma by puff adder venom

Venom of the puff adder (Bitis arietans) contains a potent, basic, Mr 24,000 metalloproteinase activity that can destroy all detectable trypsin and chymotrypsin inhibitory activity, when venom is incubated with human plasma. We have found that during such incubation, concomitant activation of inactive renin occurs. In an examination of the mechanism involved we now report the activation, in addition, of plasma prekallikrein and serine proteinase activity, but not plasminogen, when human plasma is incubated with venom. Furthermore, venom was not able to release active trypsin from its complex with alpha 1-proteinase inhibitor and human renin was not inhibited by alpha 1-proteinase inhibitor. The activities in venom and venom/plasma mixtures were analysed using Sephacryl S-200 gel filtration and the effect of 10 mM EDTA and 5 mM phenylmethanesulphonyl fluoride on activities in column fractions was tested. The inactive-renin-activating, plasma prekallikrein-activating and serine proteinase-activating activities could be accounted for to a large extent by a venom metalloproteinase which was estimated to have a Mr of 24,000 by sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS)-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. This enzyme activity appeared to complex with alpha 2-macroglobulin when venom was mixed with plasma. Since both EDTA and phenylmethanesulphonyl fluoride could inhibit the activation of inactive renin by this metalloproteinase, it is suggested that the enzyme activates serine proteinase(s), which then activate inactive renin. Plasma kallikrein may have a role in this process. Additional peaks of inactive-renin-activating activity eluted from Sephacryl S-200 at Mr 30,000 and 80,000 (minor) and an additional, minor peak of caseinolytic activity eluted at Mr 60,000. The Mr 24,000 metalloproteinase in venom may have considerable utility in activating inactive renin at physiological pH owing to its ability to destroy plasma proteinase inhibitors at the same time.     

Reaction of human skin chymotrypsin-like proteinase chymase with plasma proteinase inhibitors

The ability of plasma proteinase inhibitors to inactivate human chymase, a chymotrypsin-like proteinase stored within mast cell secretory granules, was investigated. Incubation with plasma resulted in over 80% inhibition of chymase hydrolytic activity for small substrates, suggesting that inhibitors other than alpha 2-macroglobulin were primarily responsible for chymase inactivation. Depletion of specific inhibitors from plasma by immunoadsorption using antisera against individual inhibitors established that alpha 1-antichymotrypsin (alpha 1-AC) and alpha 1-proteinase inhibitor (alpha 1-PI) were responsible for the inactivation. Characterization of the reaction between chymase and each inhibitor demonstrated in both cases the presence of two concurrent reactions proceeding at fixed relative rates. One reaction, which led to inhibitor inactivation, was about 3.5 and 4.0-fold faster than the other, which led to chymase inactivation. This was demonstrated in linear titrations of proteinase activity which exhibited endpoint stoichiometries of 4.5 (alpha 1-AC) and 5.0 (alpha 1-PI) instead of unity, and SDS gels of reaction products which exhibited a banding pattern indicative of both an SDS-stable proteinase-inhibitor complex and two lower Mr inhibitor degradation products which appear to have formed by hydrolysis within the reactive loop of each inhibitor. At inhibitor concentrations approaching those in plasma where inhibitor to chymase concentration ratios were in far excess of 4.5 and 5.0, the rate of chymase inactivation by both serpin inhibitors appeared to follow pseudo-first order kinetics. The "apparent" second order rate constants of inactivation determined from these data were about 3000-fold lower than the rate constants reported for human neutrophil cathepsin G and elastase with alpha 1-AC and alpha 1-PI, respectively. This suggests that chymase would be inhibited about 650-fold more slowly than these proteinases when released into plasma. These studies demonstrate that although chymase is inactivated by serpin inhibitors of plasma, both inhibitors are better substrates for the proteinase than they are inhibitors. This finding along with the slow rates of inactivation indicates that regulation of human chymase activity may not be a primary function of plasma.     

Serine proteinase inhibitors of seminal plasma of teleost fish: distribution of activity, electrophoretic profiles and relation to proteinase inhibitors of blood

Anti-proteinase activity has been found in seminal plasma of eight teleost fish species: brown trout, rainbow trout, brook trout, lake whitefish, bream, northern pike, Danube salmon and burbot. This activity correlated with seminal plasma protein and sperm concentrations. Using a mammalian (bovine) trypsin for detecting proteinase inhibitors it was found for the first time that there are species-specific electrophoretic profiles of anti-proteinase activity. One to three bands could be identified by this method. However, additional proteinase inhibitors could be identified by using fish (cod) trypsin. These inhibitors were detected in seminal plasma of salmonids and coregonids and have a slow migration rate. Fast-migrating proteinase inhibitors were present in rainbow, brown and brook trout, northern pike, whitefish and burbot. These inhibitors could be detected in brook and brown trout by using either trypsins. However, they were detected only with bovine trypsin in rainbow trout, northern pike, whitefish and burbot. These results suggest that multiple forms of serine proteinase inhibitors exist in seminal plasma of teleost fish and they differ in their affinity toward serine proteinases. Seminal plasma serine proteinase inhibitors of rainbow trout migrated during electrophoresis similarly to blood plasma proteinase inhibitors, and suggests that the two inhibitors may be similar or the same. Anti-proteinase specific activity was similar in blood and seminal plasma. Proteinase inhibitors of fish seminal plasma seem to be an important part of sperm physiology, possibly related to protection of spermatozoa. Staining for detection of serine proteinase inhibitors also allowed detection of presence of nonspecific esterase in seminal plasma of most species.     

Isolation of six cysteine proteinase inhibitors from human urine. Their physicochemical and enzyme kinetic properties and concentrations in biological fluids

Six cysteine proteinase inhibitors were isolated from human urine by affinity chromatography on insolubilized carboxymethylpapain followed by ion-exchange chromatography and immunosorption. Physicochemical and immunochemical measurements identified one as cystatin A, one as cystatin B, one as cystatin C, one as cystatin S, and one as low molecular weight kininogen. The sixth inhibitor displayed immunochemical cross-reactivity with salivary cystatin S but had a different pI (6.85 versus 4.68) and a different (blocked) N-terminal amino acid. This inhibitor was tentatively designated cystatin SU. The isolated inhibitors accounted for nearly all of the cysteine proteinase inhibitory activity of the urinary pool used as starting material. The enzyme inhibitory properties of the inhibitors were investigated by measuring inhibition and rate constants for their interactions with papain and human cathepsin B. Antisera raised against the inhibitors were used in immunochemical determinations of their concentrations in several biological fluids. The combined enzyme kinetic and concentration data showed that several of the inhibitors have the capacity to play physiologically important roles as cysteine proteinase inhibitors in many biological fluids. Cystatin C had the highest molar concentration of the inhibitors in seminal plasma, cerebrospinal fluid, and milk; cystatin S in saliva and tears; and kininogen in blood plasma, synovial fluid, and amniotic fluid.     

Isolation and characterization of rat plasma fibronectin.

Rat plasma fibronectin has been isolated and characterized and monospecific antibodies were prepared to it. Two components of fresh rat plasma (in the presence of proteinase inhibitors) bound to a gelatin-Sepharose affinity column. One protein was eluted with 4.0 M-urea and was identified as fibronectin. Another protein was eluted from the gelatin-Sepharose column with 8.0 M-urea and was identified as a 70 000-Mr collagen-binding molecule. This 70 000-Mr fragment was found to be a normal constituent of blood plasma, and its presence did not represent a proteolytic degradation product formed during isolation. The antibodies prepared against rat fibronectin only weakly cross-reacted with plasma fibronectins of chicken, horse and human. These studies shed light on the metabolic interrelationships between fibronectin and other collagen-binding molecules.