Studies on trypsin inhibitors. Part III. Synthesis of the protected decapeptide (sequence 15-24) of porcine pancreatic secretory trypsin inhibitor II (Kazal).

The synthesis of the amino-protected decapeptide tert-butyloxycarbonylhydrazide corresponding to positions 15-24 of the amino acid sequence of porcine pancreatic secretory trypsin inhibitor II (Kazal inhibitor) is described. The tripeptide free base threonyl-beta-tert-butylaspartylglycine tert-butyloxycarbonylhydrazide (sequence 22-24) was acylated with 1-succinimidyl o-nitrophenylsulfenylvalyl-S-acetamidomethylcysteinylglycinate (sequence 19-21). Removal of the amino protecting group from the resulting hexapeptide followed by acylation of the free base with either benzyloxycarbonylisoleucyl-O-tert-butyltyrosylasparaginylproline or O-nitrophenylsulfenylisoleucyl-O-tert-butyltyrosylasparaginylproline, via the pyrazoline active ester method, yielded the decapeptide tert-butyloxycarbonylhydrazide (sequence 15-24) in the form of Nalpha-benzyloxycarbonyl or Nalpha-O-nitrophenylsulfenyl derivative. The stereochemical homogeneity of the two decapeptides was assessed, after partial deprotection with liquid hydrogen fluoride, or thioacetamide and aqueous 90% trifluoroacetic acid, by digestion with papain and aminopeptidase M followed by quantitative amino acid analysis.     

Studies on trypsin inhbitors. Part II. Synthesis of the protected tetrapeptide (sequence 11-14) of porcine pancreatic secretory trypsin inhibitor II (Kazal).

Synthesis is described of the protected tetrapeptide corresponding to positions 11-14 of the primary structure of the porcine pancreatic secretory trypsin inhibitor II (Kazal), in the form of free acid as well as protected hydrazide. The tetrapeptide tert-butyloxycarbonylglycyl-S-acetamidomethylcysteinylprolyl-Nepsilon-trifluoroacetyl-lysine was prepared by stepwise elongation from the C-terminal Nepsilon-trifluoroacetyllysine using successively 1-succinimidyl benzyloxycarbonylprolinate, p-nitrophenyl N-tert-butyloxycarbonyl-S-acetamidomethylcysteinate and 1-phenyl-3-methyl-4-(tert-butyloxycarbonylglycyl)-oximinyl-5-(benzyloxycarbonylglycyl)-imino-2-pyrazoline as acylating agents. Alternately, the dipeptide benzyloxycarbonylprolyl-Nepsilon-trifluoroacetyllsine was transformed into the corresponding tert-butyloxycarbonylhydrazide which was reacted, after catalytic hydrogenolysis, with tritylglycyl-S-acetamido-methylcysteine to give the tetrapeptide tritylglycyl-S-acetamidomethylcysteinylprolyl-Nepsilon-trifluoroacetyllsine tert-butyloxycarbonylhydrazide. The stereochemical homogeneity of the final products was assessed, after partial deprotection with aqueous 90% trifluoroacetic acid, by digestion with papain and aminopeptidase M, followed by quantitative amino acid analysis.     

Studies on trypsin inhibitors. Part VIII. Synthesis of the protected octatriacontapeptide corresponding to the sequence 15-52 of porcine pancreatic secretory trypsin inhibitor II (Kazal)

The synthesis by fragment condensation of protected peptides corresponding to the amino acid sequences 15-35, 25-52 and 15-52 of porcine pancreatic secretory trypsin inhibitor II (Kazal type) is described. The Rudinger modification of the azide procedure was used in the fragment coupling steps. The tert-butyloxycarbonylheptapeptide hydrazide (sequence 22-28) was reacted with the heptapeptide methyl ester free base (sequence 29-35) and the resulting tert-butyloxycarbonyltetradecapeptide methyl ester after selective deprotection, coupled with the benzyloxycarbonylheptapeptide hydrazide (sequence 15-21) to give the protected peptide methyl ester corresponding to the 15-35 sequence which was then converted to the corresponding hydrazide. The synthesis of the 25-52 sequence was achieved by assembling the protected peptide hydrazide corresponding to the amino acid residues 25-35, with the C-terminal heptadecapeptide 36-52. The resulting protected octaeicosapeptide (sequence 25-52) was selectively deblocked with trifluoroacetic acid and acylated with the benzyloxycarbonyldecapeptide hydrazide 15-24 to give the desired octatriacontapeptide corresponding to sequence 15-52 of the inhibitor. An attempt to prepare the 15-52 sequence through the condensation of fragments corresponding to 15-35 and 36-52 sequences was unsuccessful. The identity and purity of the synthetized peptide derivatives wre established by elemental analysis (in some cases), amino acid analysis, optical rotation, and thin-layer chromatography in two solvent systems. The final products were also evaluated, after partial deprotection with anhydrous hydrogen fluoride or aqueous 90% trifluoroacetic acid, by paper electrophoresis at different pH values.     

Studies on trypsin inhibitors. Part IX. Synthesis and trypsin inhibitory activity of the duopentacontapeptide corresponding to the amino acid sequence of porcine pancreatic secretory trypsin inhibitor II (Kazal).

The synthesis of the protected duopentacontapeptide corresponding to the entire amino acid sequence I-52 of porcine pancreatic secretory trypsin inhibitor II (Kazal type) is described. The benzyloxycarbonyltetradecapeptide tert-butyloxycarbonylhydrazide (sequence 1-14) was selectively deblocked with trifluoroacetic acid and used to acylate, by the azide procedure, the peptide free base corresponding to the sequence 15-52. The isolated material was purified by ion exchange chromatography and the protecting groups were removed by successive treatments with anhydrous hydrogen fluoride, 1 M piperidine and mercuric acetate. F02M phosphate buffer, pH8. Determination of the inhibitory capacity indicated that the synthetic material is about 50% effective, at 30:1 inhibitor:trypsin molar ratio in inhibiting the tryptic hydrolysis of Nalpha-benzoyl-DL-arginine-4-nitroanilide. Full inhibition was achieved at a higher inhibitor:trypsin molar ratio. The stability constants and the standard free energy of binding of the complex between trypsin and the synthetic inhibitor have been determined.     

Studies on trypsin inhibitors. Part IV, Synthesis of the protected undecapeptide (sequence 25-35) of porcine pancreatic secretory trypsin inhibitor II (Kazal).

Synthesis is described of the protected undecapeptide tert-butyloxycarbonylisoleucyl-threonyltyrosylserylasparaginyl-gamma-tert-butylglutamyl-S-acetamidomethylcysteinyl-valylleucyl-S-acetamidomethylcysteinylseriny hydrazide corresponding to positions 25-35 of the amino acid sequence of porcine pancreatic secretory trypsin inhibitor II (Kazal). The hepatapeptide free base methyl asparaginyl-gamma-tert-butylglutamyl-S-acetamidomethylcysteinylvalylleucyl-S-acetamidomethylcysteinylserinate (sequency 29-35) was acylated, by the azide procedure, with the tetrapeptide tert-butyloxycarbonl-isoleucylthreonyltyrosylserine hydrazide /sequence 25-28) and the resulting tert-butyloxycarbonylundecapeptide methyl ester was transformed into the corresponding hydrazide by hydrazinolysis. The stereochemical homogeneity of the final product was assessed, after partial deprotection with aqueous 90% trifuoroacetic acid, by digestion with papain and aminopeptidase M followed by quantitative amino acid analysis.     

A synthetic 13-residue peptide designed to resemble the primary binding site of the basic pancreatic trypsin inhibitor

A peptide, AC-Pro-Cys-Lys-Ala-Arg-Ile-DPhe-Pro-Tyr-Gly-Gly-Cys-Arg-NH2, which resembles the binding site of the basic pancreatic trypsin inhibitor, has been prepared by solid-phase peptide synthesis. A partially protected peptide was first obtained from the solid-phase product by removal of all side-chain protecting groups except the acetamidomethyl (Acm) groups on the cysteines. This di-Acm-peptide was deprotected, with concomitant formation of the cyclic product, by treatment with I2 in AcOH. The cyclic 13-residue peptide is a reversible, competitive inhibitor of trypsin with a Ki (app) of 2 . 10(-6) M, but loses its inhibitory activity upon incubation with trypsin. The di-Acm-peptide precursor has a Ki (app) of 5 . 10(-5) M and is deactivated more rapidly by trypsin. The effectiveness of the 13-residue peptides as inhibitors is in part attributed to the conformation induced by the beta-turn directing the -DPhe-Pro portion of the sequence.     

Studies on trypsin inhibitors. Part V. Synthesis of the protected octapeptide (sequence 36-43) of porcine pancreatic secretory trypsin inhibitor II (Kazal).

Synthesis is described of the partially protected octapeptide tert-butyloxycarbonyl-gamma-tert-butylglutamylasparaginyl-N-trifluoroacetyllysyl-N-trifluoracetyllysylarginyl-Ngamma-4,4'-dimethoxybenzhydryglutaminylthreonylproline corresponding to positions 36-43 of the amino acid sequence of porcine pancreatic secretory trypsin inhibitor II. The tetrapeptide free base arginyl-Ngamma-4,4'-dimethoxybenzhydrylglutaminylthreonylproline was acylated, by the azide proceedure, with the tripeptide benzyloxycarbonyl-asparaginyl-N-trifluoroacetyllsyl-N-trifluoroacetyllysine hydrazide. The resulting protected heptapeptide was partially deblocked by catalytic hydrogenation and reacted with alpha-1-succinimidyl-gamma-tert-butyl tert-butyloxycarbonylglutamate. The stereochemical homogeneity of the ensuing octapeptide was assessed, after partial deprotection with aqueous 90% trifluoroacetic acid, by digestion with papain and aminopeptidase M followed by quantitative amino acid analysis.     

Purification and characterization of a trypsin inhibitor from Putranjiva roxburghii seeds

A highly stable and potent trypsin inhibitor was purified to homogeneity from the seeds of Putranjiva roxburghii belonging to Euphorbiaceae family by acid precipitation, cation-exchange and anion-exchange chromatography. SDS-PAGE analysis, under reducing condition, showed that protein consists of a single polypeptide chain with molecular mass of approximately 34 kDa. The purified inhibitor inhibited bovine trypsin in 1:1 molar ratio. Kinetic studies showed that the protein is a competitive inhibitor with an equilibrium dissociation constant of 1.4x10(-11) M. The inhibitor retained the inhibitory activity over a broad range of pH (pH 2-12), temperature (20-80 degrees C) and in DTT (up to100 mM). The complete loss of inhibitory activity was observed above 90 degrees C. CD studies, at increasing temperatures, demonstrated the structural stability of inhibitor at high temperatures. The polypeptide backbone folding was retained up to 80 degrees C. The CD spectra of inhibitor at room temperature exhibited an alpha, beta pattern. N-terminal amino acid sequence of 10 residues did not show any similarities to known serine proteinase inhibitors, however, two peptides obtained by internal partial sequencing showed significant resemblance to Kunitz-type inhibitors.     

Proteinase inhibitors from desert locust, Schistocerca gregaria: engineering of both P(1) and P(1)' residues converts a potent chymotrypsin inhibitor to a potent trypsin inhibitor.

Two peptides, SGCI and SGTI, that inhibited chymotrypsin and trypsin, respectively, were isolated from the haemolymph of Schistocerca gregaria. Their primary structures were found to be identical with SGP-2 and SGP-1, two of a series of peptides isolated from ovaries of the same species (A. Hamdaoui et al., FEBS Lett. 422 (1998) 74-78). All these peptides are composed of 35-36 amino acid residues and contain three homologous disulfide bridges. The residues imparting specificity to SGCI and SGTI were identified as Leu-30 and Arg-29, respectively. The peptides were synthesised by solid-phase peptide synthesis, and the synthetic ones displayed the same inhibition as the natural forms: SGCI is a strong inhibitor of chymotrypsin (K(i) = 6.2 x 10(-12) M), and SGTI is a rather weak inhibitor of trypsin (K(i) = 2.1 x 10(-7) M). The replacement of P(1) then P(1)' residues of SGCI with trypsin-specific residues increased affinity towards trypsin 3600- and 1100-fold, respectively, thus SGCI was converted to a strong trypsin inhibitor (K(i) = 5.0 x 10(-12) M) that retained some inhibitory affinity towards chymotrypsin (K(i) = 3.5 x 10(-8) M). The documented role of both P(1) and P(1)' highlights the importance of S(1)'P(1)' interactions in enzyme-inhibitor complexes.     

Studies on trypsin inhibitors. Part VI. Synthesis of the protected nonapeptide (sequence 44-52) of porcine pancreatic secretory trypsin inhibitor II (Kazal).

Synthesis is described of the partially protected nonapeptide tert-butyloxycarbonyl-valylleucylisoleucylglutaminyl-N-trifluoroacetyllsylserylglycylprolyl-S-acetamido-methylcysteine corresponding to positions 44-52 of the amino acid sequence of porcine pancreatic secretory trypsin inhibitor II. The hexapeptide free base glutaminyl-N-trifluoroacetyllsylserylglycylprolyl-S-acetamidomethylcysteine, prepared by two alternative routes, was acylated by the azide procedure, with the tripeptide tert-butyloxycarbonylvalylleucylisoleucine hydrazide. The stereochemical homogeneity of the resulting nonapeptide was assessed, after partial deprotection by treatment with aqueous 90% trifluoroacetic acid, by digestion with papain and aminopeptidase M followed by quantitative amino acid analysis.     

Selection of low-molecular-mass trypsin and chymotrypsin inhibitors based on the binding loop of CMTI-III using combinatorial chemistry methods

Using a combinatorial chemistry approach, a decapaptide library containing the N-terminal fragment of trypsin inhibitor CMTI-III was synthesized by the solid-phase method. The peptide library was screened for trypsin and chymotrypsin inhibitory activity applying the iterative method in solution. Two decapeptides were selected and resynthesized for each enzyme. The association equilibrium constants ((1.1+/-0.2)x10(8) and (7.3+/-1.6)x10(7)) determined for peptides with trypsin inhibitory activity indicate that they are 3-4-fold less active than the CMTI inhibitors. On the other hand, they are significantly more effective as compared with the starting sequence. Two peptides selected as chymotrypsin inhibitors displayed about 10 times higher activity (1.7+/-0.4)x10(7) and (1.1+/-0.2)x10(7), respectively) than those monosubstituted in position P(1) of the CMTI-III analogue. Considering low molecular weight of peptides selected and the lack of conformational constraints in their structures, the results are promising. They are good templates as starting sequences for further selection of small, peptidomimetic proteinase inhibitors.     

Studies on cytochrome C. XII. Synthesis of the protected undecapeptide (sequence 66-76) and pentadecapeptide (sequence 66-80) of horse heart cytochrome c.

This paper is part of a series on synthesis of suitably protected peptides covering the 66-104 sequence of horse heart cytochrome c. It describes the preparation, by conventional procedures, of a partially protected N alpha-benzyloxycarbonyl-undecapeptide hydrazide corresponding to the sequence from 66 to 76 (Fragment F), which represents a building block for the synthesis of the entire 66-104 sequence. Moreover, the preparation is described of a partially protected pentadecapeptide corresponding to the sequence region 66 to 80, which represents the key peptide for the semisynthesis of the same COOH-terminal sequence utilizing the natural 81-104 N epsilon-trifluoroacetylated CNBr fragment.     

Buckwheat trypsin inhibitor with helical hairpin structure belongs to a new family of plant defence peptides

A new peptide trypsin inhibitor named BWI-2c was obtained from buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum) seeds by sequential affinity, ion exchange and reversed-phase chromatography. The peptide was sequenced and found to contain 41 amino acid residues, with four cysteine residues involved in two intramolecular disulfide bonds. Recombinant BWI-2c identical to the natural peptide was produced in Escherichia coli in a form of a cleavable fusion with thioredoxin. The 3D (three-dimensional) structure of the peptide in solution was determined by NMR spectroscopy, revealing two antiparallel α-helices stapled by disulfide bonds. Together with VhTI, a trypsin inhibitor from veronica (Veronica hederifolia), BWI-2c represents a new family of protease inhibitors with an unusual α-helical hairpin fold. The linker sequence between the helices represents the so-called trypsin inhibitory loop responsible for direct binding to the active site of the enzyme that cleaves BWI-2c at the functionally important residue Arg(19). The inhibition constant was determined for BWI-2c against trypsin (1.7×10(-1)0 M), and the peptide was tested on other enzymes, including those from various insect digestive systems, revealing high selectivity to trypsin-like proteases. Structural similarity shared by BWI-2c, VhTI and several other plant defence peptides leads to the acknowledgement of a new widespread family of plant peptides termed α-hairpinins.     

The complete amino acid sequence of trypsin inhibitor DE-3 from Erythrina latissima seeds

Trypsin inhibitor DE-3 from Erythrina latissima seeds contains 172 amino acids, including 4 half-cystine residues, and resembles the Kunitz-type inhibitors. Limited hydrolysis of DE-3 with trypsin at pH 3 produced two fragments, F1 and F2, containing 63 and 109 amino acids, respectively. Amino-terminal sequence studies revealed that F1 was the N-terminal and that F2 was the C-terminal fragment. The complete amino acid sequence of fragments F1 and F2 was then determined on peptides produced by enzymatic digestion with trypsin and Staphylococcus aureus V8 protease. The sequence of trypsin inhibitor DE-3 from E. latissima seeds shows a high degree of homology to those of Kunitz-type trypsin inhibitors from soybeans and winged bean seeds.     

Synthesis of fully active biotinylated analogues of parathyroid hormone and parathyroid hormone-related protein as tools for the characterization of parathyroid hormone receptors.

The synthesis, purification, and characterization of biotinylated analogues of parathyroid hormone (PTH) and PTH-related protein (PTHrP) are described. A novel methodology was developed which allowed the selective biotinylation during solid-phase synthesis of either the Lys13 or Lys26 residue in PTH/PTHrP sequences. Incorporation of orthogonally protected N alpha-Boc-Lys(N epsilon-Fmoc) at a selected position in the sequence, followed by selective side-chain deprotection and biotinylation of the epsilon-amino group, permitted modification of the specific lysine only. Biotinylated analogues of [Nle8,18,Tyr34]bPTH(1-34)NH2 (analogue 1a) were prepared by modification of Lys13 with a biotinyl group (analogue 1) or a biotinyl-epsilon-aminohexanoyl group (analogue 2) or at Lys26 with a biotinyl-epsilon-aminohexanoyl group (analogue 3). A biotinylated PTHrP antagonist [Leu11,D-Trp12,Lys13(N epsilon-(biotinyl-beta-Ala))]PTHrP(7-34)NH2 (analogue 5), was also prepared. In a different synthetic approach, selective modification of the thiol group of [Cys35]PTHrP(1-35)NH2, in solution, with N-biotinyl-N'-(6-maleimidohexanoyl)hydrazide, resulted in analogue 4. The high affinities of the biotinylated analogues for PTH receptors present in human osteosarcoma B-10 cells or in porcine renal cortical membranes (PRCM), were comparable to those of the underivatized parent peptides. The analogues were also highly potent in stimulation of cAMP formation (analogues 1-4) or inhibition of PTH-stimulated adenylyl cyclase (analogue 5) in B-10 cells. The most potent analogue (analogue 1) had potencies in B-10 cells (Kb = 1.5 nM, Km = 0.35 nM) and in porcine renal membranes (Kb = 0.70 nM) identical or similar to those of its parent peptide, respectively.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

The primary structure of the human pancreatic secretory trypsin inhibitor: Amino acid sequence of the reduced S-aminoethylated protein

The amino acid sequence of human pancreatic secretory trypsin inhibitor [Pubols, M. H., Bartelt, D. C., and Greene, L. J. (1974) J. Biol. Chem., 249, 2235–2242] was determined by a combination of selective trypsin and chymotrypsin hydrolysis reactions on the S-2-aminoethylcysteinyl inhibitor and conventional methods (subtractive Edman degradation and exopeptidase hydrolysis) for sequence determination of small peptides. The peptides were ordered on the basis of the identification of the amino- and carboxyterminal residues of the products at each stage of the degradation procedure. The sequence determination was carried out on a mixture of chromatographic forms present in both tissue and pancreatic juice which are identical in amino acid composition, aminoterminal residues, molecular weight, and specific activity, but differ only in asparagine content and susceptibility to enzymatic hydrolysis. The amino acid sequence of the human inhibitor corresponding to chromatographic form A₃ has been shown to be NH₂

.     

Surface-simulation synthesis of the substrate-binding site of an enzyme. Demonstration with trypsin.

From the X-ray co-ordinates of bovine trypsin and its complexes with substrate analogues (benzamidine) and with soya-bean trypsin inhibitor, a peptide (TP) was designed and synthesized by surface-simulation synthesis, a concept previously introduced by this laboratory, to mimic the binding site of trypsin. Also, a control peptide (CTP) was synthesized that contained all the amino acids present in the TP peptide, except that their order was randomized. The radioiodinated TP peptide bound specifically to adsorbents of benzamidine, whereas the control CTP peptide exhibited no binding activity. Conjugates to succinyl (3-carboxypropionyl)-lysozyme of the TP peptide, control CTP peptide and other unrelated peptides were examined by a radiometric binding assay for the ability to bind soya-bean trypsin inhibitor and human alpha 1-antitrypsin. Conjugates of the TP peptide exhibited considerable binding activity to adsorbents of soya-bean trypsin inhibitor or alpha 1-antitrypsin. None of the other peptide conjugates possessed any binding activity. Action of the active-site-directed reagents phenylmethanesulphonyl fluoride and di-isopropyl phosphorofluoridate on free TP and CTP peptides resulted in the modification of a serine residue in the TP peptide whereas the CTP peptide remained unaltered. The TP peptide, either in the free form or as a conjugate on succinyl-lysozyme, had no enzymic activity on protein substrates or on tosylarginine methyl ester. These findings indicated that the binding activity of an enzyme was well mimicked by the surface-stimulation peptide but that reproduction of the catalytic activity was not obtained.     

Hydrazide reactive peptide tags for site-specific protein labeling

New site-specific protein labeling (SSPL) reactions for targeting-specific, short peptides could be useful for the real-time detection of proteins inside of living cells. One SSPL approach matches bioorthogonal reagents with complementary peptides. Here, hydrazide reactive peptides were selected from phage-displayed libraries using reaction-based selections. Selection conditions included washes of varying pH and treatment with NaCNBH(3) in order to specifically select reactive carbonyl-containing peptides. Selected peptides were fused to T4 lysozyme or synthesized on filter paper for colorimetric assays of the peptide-hydrazide interaction. A peptide-lysozyme protein fusion demonstrated specific, covalent labeling by the hydrazide reactive (HyRe) peptides in crude bacterial cell lysates, sufficient for the specific detection of an overexpressed protein fusion. Chemical synthesis of a short HyRe tag variant and subsequent reaction with two structurally distinct hydrazide probes produced covalent adducts observable by MALDI-TOF MS and MS/MS. Rather than isolating reactive carbonyl-containing peptides, we observed reaction with the N-terminal His of HyRe tag 114, amino acid sequence HKSNHSSKNRE, which attacks the hydrazide carbonyl at neutral pH. However, at the pH used during selection wash steps (<6.0), an alternative imine-containing product is formed that can be reduced with sodium cyanoborohydride. MSMS further reveals that this low pH product forms an adduct on Ser6. Further optimization of the novel bimolecular reaction described here could provide a useful tool for in vivo protein labeling and bioconjugate synthesis. The reported selection and screening methods could be widely applicable to the identification of peptides capable of other site-specific protein labeling reactions with bioorthogonal reagents.     

Structure of soybean Kunitz trypsin inhibitor mRNA determined from cDNA by using oligodeoxynucleotide primers

Oligodeoxynucleotides complementary to the deduced mRNA sequence of soybean Kunitz trypsin inhibitor (KTI) were used to prime the synthesis of cDNA from soybean cotyledon total poly(A) RNA. The primed cDNA was used to select clones from a Glycine max cotyledon cDNA library. Two out of twelve hybridizing clones were shown to contain KTI cDNA. The nucleotide sequence of one clone, pSTI 9-2, was determined and it was found to encompass the complete protein coding region of KTI excet for three C-terminal residues. Trypsin inhibitor is synthesized with a 25 amino acid hydrophobic N-terminal sequence presumed to be a signal peptide. The mature polypeptide encoded by pSTI 9-2 agrees with the published amino acid composition of KTI, but contains two discrepancies at the peptide sequence level.     

Amino acid sequences of two trypsin inhibitors from winged bean seeds (Psophocarpus tetragonolobus (L)DC.)

The trypsin inhibitor (WTI-1) purified from winged bean seeds is a Kunitz type protease inhibitor having a molecular weight of 19,200. WTI-1 inhibits bovine trypsin stoichiometrically, but not bovine alpha-chymotrypsin. The approximate Ki value for the trypsin-inhibitor complex is 2.5 X 10(-9) M. The complete amino acid sequence of WTI-1 was determined by conventional methods. Comparison of the sequence with that of soybean trypsin inhibitor (STI) indicated that the sequence of WTI-1 had 50% homology with that of STI. WTI-1 was separated into 2 homologous inhibitors, WTI-1A and WTI-1B, by isoelectric focusing. The isoelectric points of WTI-1A and WTI-1B were 8.5 and 9.4, respectively, and their sequences were presumed from their amino acid compositions.