Mechanisms of inhibition of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase by phenol inhibitors and phenol/glycine synergistic inhibitors

Phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) catalyzes the beta-elimination of ammonia from L-phenylalanine to trans-cinnamic acid. A study of inhibition of PAL by phenol, ortho-cresol, and meta-cresol gave mixed inhibition; para-cresol is not an inhibitor. The calculated values of K(i) and alphaK(i) are phenol, K(i)=2.1+/-0.5 mM and alphaK(i)=3.45+/-0.95 mM; ortho-cresol, K(i)=0.8+/-0.2 mM and alphaK(i)=3.4+/-0.2 mM; meta-cresol, K(i)=2.85+/-0.15 mM and alphaK(i)=18.5+/-1.5 mM. The synergistic inhibition of the same inhibitors with glycine showed a lack of inhibition with the para-cresol/glycine pair, while mixed inhibition was observed with the ortho-cresol/glycine pair (K(i)=0.038+/-0.008 mM, alphaK(i)=0.13+/-0.04 mM) and phenol/glycine pair (K(i)=0.014+/-0.003 mM, alphaK(i)=0.058+/-0.01 M). The meta-cresol/glycine pair gave competitive inhibition (K(i)=0.36+/-0.076 mM). The strong synergistic inhibition observed implies that the inhibitors bind at the active site: in fact, the inhibitors used imitate the structure of the substrate. The order of synergistic inhibition is the same for the sites related to K(i) and alphaK(i). These results are in agreement with the inhibitors entering two active sites located in two different subunits.     

Synthesis and MAO-B substrate properties of 1-methyl-4-heteroaryl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridines

The parkinsonian inducing drug 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) is bioactivated in a reaction catalyzed by the flavoenzyme monoamine oxidase B (MAO-B) to form the corresponding dihydropyridinium and subsequently pyridinium metabolites. As part of our ongoing studies to characterize the structural features responsible for this unexpected biotransformation, we have examined the MAO-B substrate properties of a variety of MPTP analogues bearing various heteroaryl groups at the 4-position of the tetrahydropyridinyl ring. The newly synthesized analogues are 4-(1-methylimidazol-2-yl)-, 4-(3-methylfuran-2-yl)-, 4-(3-methylthien-2-yl)-, 4-(3,4-dimethylpyrrol-1-yl)-, 4-(3-methylpyrrol-2-yl)-, and 4-(1,3-dimethylpyrrol-2-yl)-1-methyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine. Except for the 4-(1-methylimidazol-2-yl) analogue, all compounds displayed good to excellent substrate properties. The 1-methyl-4-(3-methylfuran-2-yl) analogue is the most active member of this series with a kcat/Km value greater than 8,500 min(-1)mM(-1). The results of these studies are discussed in terms of catalytic pathways proposed for MAO-B.     

Regulation and biochemical characterization of the glutamine synthetase of azotobacter vinelandii

We have investigated the regulation of the activity and synthesis of the glutamine synthetase (l-glutamate:ammonia ligase (ADP-forming), EC (6.3.1.2) of Azotobacter vinelandii. Synthesis of the enzyme was not repressed by NH+4 and/or a number of amino acids in the growth medium; however, biosynthetic activity was rapidly lost through adenylylation in response to ammonium ion. The enzyme could be prepared as a 'relaxed, divalent-cation-free form which was catalytically inactive. The 'taut', active form could be restored with 1-5 mM Mg2+, Mn2+, Ca2+ or CO2+ and taut-vs.-relaxed difference spectra unique to each divalent cation were generated. Mg2+ and CO2+ each supported biosynthetic catalysis, but with different substrate Km and Vmax values. L-Alanine, glycine and L-aspartate were the most potent of several inhibitors of the biosynthetic and the gamma-glutamyl transferase activities; only aspartate and AMP behaved differentially toward glutamine synthetase adenylylation state: the more highly adenylylated enzyme was more severely affected. Any two of alanine, glycine or AMP showed cumulative inhibition, while the inhibitory effects of groups of three effectors were not cumulative. The Co2+-supported biosynthetic activity of Al vinelandii glutamine synthetase was markedly less sensitive to inhibition my glycine and alanine and was stimulated up to 50% by 1-10 mM aspartate.     

2-(2-Chloro-6-fluorophenyl)acetamides as potent thrombin inhibitors

2-(2-Chloro-6-fluorophenyl)acetamides having 2,2-difluoro-2-aryl/heteroaryl-ethylamine P3 and oxyguanidine P1 substituents are potent thrombin inhibitors (K(i)=0.9-33.9 nM). 2-(5-Chloro-pyridin-2-yl)-2,2-difluoroethylamine was the best P3 substituent, yielding the most potent inhibitor (K(i)=0.7 nM). Replacing the P3 heteroaryl group with a phenyl ring or replacing the difluoro substitution with dimethyl or cyclopropyl groups in the linker reduced the affinity for thrombin significantly. The aminopyridine P1s also provided an increase in potency.     

Activities of branched-chain 2-oxo acid dehydrogenase and its components in skin fibroblasts from normal and classical-maple-syrup-urine-disease subjects.

1. Comparisons of the activity and kinetics of the branched-chain 2-oxo acid dehydrogenase in cultured skin fibroblasts from normal and classical maple-syrup-urine-disease (MSUD) subjects provide a kinetic explanation for the enzyme defect. 2. In the intact cell assays, normal fibroblasts demonstrated hyperbolic kinetics with 3-methyl-2-oxo[1-14C]butyrate as a substrate. Intact fibroblasts from four classical MSUD patients showed no decarboxylation over a substrate concentration range of 0.25 to 5.0 mM, and thiamin (4 mM) was without effect. 3. The overall reaction of the multienzyme complex was efficiently reconstituted by using a disrupted-cell system. Normals again showed typical hyperbolic kinetics at the 2-oxo acid concentrations of 0.1 to 5 mM. The Vmax. and apparent Km values were 0.10 +/- 0.02 m-unit/mg of protein and 0.05-0.1 mM respectively, with 3-methyl-2-oxobutyrate. In contrast, classical MSUD patients exhibited sigmoidal kinetics (Hill coefficient, 2.5) with activity approaching 40-60% of the normal value at 5 mM substrate. The K0.5 values from the Hill plots for MSUD patients were 4-7 mM. 4. The E1 (branched-chain 2-oxo acid decarboxylase) component of the multienzyme complex was measured in disrupted-particulate preparations. Normals again showed hyperbolic kinetics with the 2-oxo acid, whereas MSUD preparations exhibited sigmoidal kinetics with the activity of E1 strictly dependent on substrate concentration. Apparent Km or K0.5 were 0.1 and 1.0 mM for normal and MSUD subjects respectively. 5. Measurements of E2 (dihydrolipoyl transacylase) and E3 (dihydrolipoyl dehydrogenase) in MSUD preparations showed them to be in the normal range. 6. The above data suggest a defect in the E1 step of branched-chain 2-oxo acid dehydrogenase in classical MSUD patients.     

Inhibition of jack bean urease by tetrachloro-o-benzoquinone and tetrachloro-p-benzoquinone

Tetrachloro-o-benzoquinone (TCoBQ) and tetrachloro-p-benzoquinone (TCpBQ) were studied as inhibitors of jack bean urease in 20 mM phosphate buffer, pH 7.0, 1 mM EDTA, 25 degrees C. The mechanisms of inhibition were evaluated by analysis of the progress curves obtained with two procedures: the reaction initiated by addition of the enzyme and the reaction initiated by addition of the substrate after preincubation of the enzyme with the inhibitor. The obtained results were characteristic of slow-binding inhibition. The effects of different inhibitor concentrations on the initial and steady-state velocities obeyed the relationships of two-step enzyme-inhibitor interaction, qualified as mechanism B. It was found that TCoBQ and TCpBQ are strong urease inhibitors. TCpBQ is more effective than TCoBQ with the overall inhibition constant of K(i)* = 4.5 x 10(-7) mM. The respective inhibition constant of TCoBQ was equal to: K(i)* = 2.4 x 10(-6) mM. The protective experiment proved that the urease active site is involved in the tetrachlorobenzoquinone inhibition process. High effectiveness of thiol protectors against inhibition by TCoBQ and TCpBQ indicates the strategic role of the active site sulfhydryl group in the blocking process. The stability of the complexes: urease-TCoBQ and urease-TCpBQ was tested in two ways: by dilution or addition of dithiothreitol. No recovery of urease activity bound in the urease-inhibitor complexes proves that the complexes are stable and strong.     

Competitive inhibition of the dengue virus NS3 serine protease by synthetic peptides representing polyprotein cleavage sites

The NS3 serine protease of dengue virus is required for the maturation of the viral polyprotein and consequently represents a promising target for the development of antiviral inhibitors. However, the substrate specificity of this enzyme has been characterized only to a limited extent. In this study, we have investigated product inhibition of the NS3 protease by synthetic peptides derived from the P6-P1 and the P1'-P5' regions of the natural polyprotein substrate. N-terminal cleavage site peptides corresponding to the P6-P1 region of the polyprotein were found to act as competitive inhibitors of the enzyme with K(i) values ranging from 67 to 12 microM. The lowest K(i) value was found for the peptide representing the NS2A/NS2B cleavage site, RTSKKR. Inhibition by this cleavage site sequence was analyzed by using shorter peptides, SKKR, KKR, KR, AGRR, and GKR. With the exception of the peptide AGRR which did not inhibit the protease at a concentration of 1mM, all other peptides displayed K(i) values in the range from 188 to 22 microM. Peptides corresponding to the P1'-P5' region of the polyprotein cleavage sites had no effect on enzymatic activity at a concentration of 1mM. Molecular docking data of peptide inhibitors to a homology-based model of the dengue virus type 2 NS2B(H)-NS3p co-complex indicate that binding of the non-prime site product inhibitors is similar to ground-state binding of the corresponding substrates.     

In vitro effects of some anaesthetic drugs on lactoperoxidase enzyme activity

In vitro effects of ketamine and bupivacaine drugs on bovine lactoperoxidase (LPO; E.C. 1.11.1.7) enzyme activity were investigated. Lactoperoxidase was purified with Amberlite CG 50 resin, CM Sephadex C-50 ion-exchange chromatography, and Sephadex G-100 gel filtration chromatography from skimmed bovine milk. Rz(A412/A280) value for the purified LPO was found to be 0.8. Inhibition or activation effects of the drugs on LPO enzyme were determined using 2,2(1)-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6 sulfonic acid) diammonium salt (ABTS) as a chromogenic substrate at pH = 6.0. The I50 values of ketamine and bupivacaine were 0.29 mM and 0.155 mM, respectively and the K(i) constants for ketamine and bupivacaine were 0.019 +/- 0.031 and 0.015 +/- 0.021 mM, respectively; they were non-competitive inhibitors.     

Mechanism of the glycine cleavage reaction. Properties of the reverse reaction catalyzed by T-protein

T-protein, one of the components of the glycine cleavage system, catalyzes the synthesis of the H-protein-bound intermediate from methylenetetrahydrofolate, ammonia, and H-protein having a reduced lipoyl prosthetic group (Okamura-Ikeda, K., Fujiwara, K., and Motokawa, Y. (1982) J. Biol. Chem. 257, 135-139). Spectroscopic studies indicated that the utilization of methylenetetrahydrofolate occurred only in the presence of the three substrates, indicating the formation of a quaternary complex. The amount of methylenetetrahydrofolate consumed was equal to that of methylene carbon attached to H-protein. Steady-state kinetic studies show that the reaction proceeds through an Ordered Ter Bi mechanism. Reduced H-protein is the first substrate that binds T-protein followed by methylenetetrahydrofolate and ammonia. The order of release of products is tetrahydrofolate and the H-protein-bound intermediate. Km values for H-protein, methylenetetrahydrofolate, and ammonia are 0.55 microM, 0.32 mM, and 22 mM, respectively.     

Role of mitochondrial glutamate dehydrogenase in the reassimilation of ammonia produced by glycine serine transformation

The ability of isolated pea-shoot mitochondria conditioned to incorporate ammonia into glutamate to reassimilate endogenously produced ammonia from glycine transformation was investigated. In the presence of 1 mM to 20 mM glycine less than 15% of the ammonia liberated was found to be incorporated into glutamate. Thus, a prominent role of mitochondrial glutamate dehydrogenase in the reassimilation of intramitochondrially produced ammonia can be excluded.Abbreviation GDH Glutamate dehydrogenase (L-glutamate: NAD⁺ oxidoreductase (deaminating), EC 1.4.1.2)     

Kinetic analysis of the reactions catalyzed by histidine and phenylalanine ammonia lyases

Although both the structures and the reactions of histidine and phenylalanine ammonia lyases (HAL and PAL) are very similar, the former shows a primary kinetic deuterium (D) isotope effect, while the latter does not. In the HAL reaction, the release of ammonia is partially rate-determining and is slower than the release of the product (E)-urocanate (4), whereas in the PAL reaction, the release of (E)-cinnamate (2) is the rate-limiting step. With (2S,3S)-[3-(2)H1]phenylalanine (1a), we determined the kinetic D isotope effects with the PAL mutants Q487A, Y350F, L137 H, and the double mutant L137 H/Q487E. The kH/kD values for the former two were of the same magnitude as with wild-type PAL (1.20+/-0.07), while the exchange of L137 to H almost doubled the effect (kH/kD=2.32+/-0.01). We conclude that L137 is part of the hydrophobic pocket harboring the phenyl group of the substrate/product and is responsible for its strong binding. The stability of the HAL ammonia complex was demonstrated 40 years ago. Here, we show that, in contrast to the former assumption, ammonia in the complex is not covalently bound to the prosthetic electrophile, 3,5-dihydro-5-methylidene-4H-imidazol-4-one (MIO; 5). We carried out experiments with a mutant enzyme lacking MIO and exhibiting ca. 10(3) times less activity. Nevertheless, the enzyme-ammonia complex was formed, and the mutant behaved upon addition of (E)-[14C]urocanate (4a) like wild-type HAL. We conclude, therefore, that ammonia is bound in the complex by Coulomb forces as ammonium ion and can be released only after (E)-urocanate (4).     

Glutathione-like tripeptides as inhibitors of glutathionylspermidine synthetase. Part 2: substitution of the glycine part

Glutathionylspermidine synthetase (GspS) is an essential enzyme in the biosynthesis of trypanothione and is an attractive target for the design of selective anti-parasitic drugs. We synthesised a series of analogues of glutathione (L-gamma-Glu-L-Leu-X) where the glycine moiety has been substituted for other amino acids. These peptides were evaluated as substrates and inhibitors of GspS. Compounds with basic side chains such as diaminopropionic acid were found to be good inhibitors (K(i): 7.2 microM). Substitution of the glycine part abolished the GspS substrate properties of the tripeptide.     

SLC36A4 (hPAT4) is a high affinity amino acid transporter when expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes

The SLC36 family of transporters consists of four genes, two of which, SLC36A1 and SLC36A2, have been demonstrated to code for human proton-coupled amino acid transporters or hPATs. Here we report the characterization of the fourth member of the family, SLC36A4 or hPAT4, which when expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes also encodes a plasma membrane amino acid transporter, but one that is not proton-coupled and has a very high substrate affinity for the amino acids proline and tryptophan. hPAT4 in Xenopus oocytes mediated sodium-independent, electroneutral uptake of [(3)H]proline, with the highest rate of uptake when the uptake medium pH was 7.4 and an affinity of 3.13 μM. Tryptophan was also an excellently transported substrate with a similarly high affinity (1.72 μM). Other amino acids that inhibited [(3)H]proline were isoleucine (K(i) 0.23 mM), glutamine (0.43 mM), methionine (0.44 mM), and alanine (1.48 mM), and with lower affinity, glycine, threonine, and cysteine (K(i) >5 mM for all). Of the amino acids directly tested for transport, only proline, tryptophan, and alanine showed significant uptake, whereas glycine and cysteine did not. Of the non-proteogenic amino acids and drugs tested, only sarcosine produced inhibition (K(i) 1.09 mM), whereas γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), β-alanine, L-Dopa, D-serine, and δ-aminolevulinic acid were without effect on [(3)H]proline uptake. This characterization of hPAT4 as a very high affinity/low capacity non-proton-coupled amino acid transporter raises questions about its physiological role, especially as the transport characteristics of hPAT4 are very similar to the Drosophila orthologue PATH, an amino acid "transceptor" that plays a role in nutrient sensing.     

Benzoate stimulates glutamate release from perfused rat liver.

In isolated perfused rat liver, benzoate addition to the influent perfusate led to a dose-dependent, rapid and reversible stimulation of glutamate output from the liver. This was accompanied by a decrease in glutamate and 2-oxoglutarate tissue levels and a net K+ release from the liver; withdrawal of benzoate was followed by re-uptake of K+. Benzoate-induced glutamate efflux from the liver was not dependent on the concentration (0-1 mM) of ammonia (NH3 + NH4+) in the influent perfusate, but was significantly increased after inhibition of glutamine synthetase by methionine sulphoximine or during the metabolism of added glutamine (5 mM). Maximal rates of benzoate-stimulated glutamate efflux were 0.8-0.9 mumol/min per g, and the effect of benzoate was half-maximal (K0.5) at 0.8 mM. Similar Vmax. values of glutamate efflux were obtained with 4-methyl-2-oxopentanoate, ketomethionine (4-methylthio-2-oxobutyrate) and phenylpyruvate; their respective K0.5 values were 1.2 mM, 3.0 mM and 3.8 mM. Benzoate decreased hepatic net ammonia uptake and synthesis of both urea and glutamine from added NH4Cl. Accordingly, the benzoate-induced shift of detoxication from urea and glutamine synthesis to glutamate formation and release was accompanied by a decreased hepatic ammonia uptake. The data show that benzoate exerts profound effects on hepatic glutamate and ammonia metabolism, providing a new insight into benzoate action in the treatment of hyperammonaemic syndromes.     

胆碱脱氢酶的动力学性质

本文对增溶胆碱脱氢酶的稳态初速度及产物抑制动力学做了。底物胆碱和ＰＭＳ的相互影响：变化一个底物的浓度,另一个底物的Ｋｍ及Ｖｍａｘ均变化。该酶的产物三甲胺 地 制表现为对底物胆碱非竞争性而地ＰＭＳ竞争性,在胆碱饱和的情况下,三甲胺乙醛对酶的抑制仍表现为对ＰＭＳ竞争性。这些结果表明增溶胆碱脱氢酶的催化机制搂双底物双产物乒乓机制。１－ＰＣ与９－ＡＣ对增溶胆碱脱氢酶均有抑制作用,且均为混和型抑制,Ｋ１分别     

Catalytic function of nongastric H,K-ATPase expressed in Sf-21 insect cells

We previously demonstrated that the alpha-subunit of human nongastric H,K-ATPase (Atp1al1) can assemble with the gastric H,K-ATPase beta-subunit (betaHK) into an active ion pump upon coexpression in Xenopus oocytes. To gain insight into enzymatic functions, we have analyzed the Atp1al1-betaHK complex using a baculovirus expression system. The efficient formation of the functional Atp1al1-betaHK complex in membranes of Sf-21 insect cells was obtained upon co-infection with recombinant baculoviruses expressing Atp1al1 and betaHK. Expression of either protein alone did not produce active ATPase. The effects of K(+), Na(+), pH, and ATP and inhibitors on ATPase activity of the recombinant Atp1al1-betaHK complex were analyzed. The Atp1al1-betaHK complex was shown to exhibit significant ATPase activity in nominally K(+)-free medium. The addition of K(+) stimulated the ATP hydrolysis up to 3-fold with K(m) approximately 116 microM K(+). The ATPase activity was moderately sensitive to ouabain and to SCH 28080 with apparent K(i) values in K(+)-free medium of approximately 64 microM and approximately 93 microM, respectively. Potassium exhibited strong antagonism toward both inhibitors. Assays of the ouabain-sensitive ATPase activity revealed inhibitory effects of Na(+) with the apparent K(i) of approximately 24 mM in the absence of added K(+) and with K(i) within the range of 60-70 mM in the presence of > or = 1 mM K(+). Thus, the human nongastric H,K-ATPase represented by the recombinant Atp1al1-betaHK complex exhibits enzymatic properties of K(+)-dependent ATPase sensitive to ouabain, SCH 28080, and Na(+). It differs from Na,K-ATPase in cation dependence and differs from gastric H,K-ATPase and Na,K-ATPase in sensitivity to inhibitors.     

The inhibition characteristics of human placental glutathione S-transferase-π by tricyclic antidepressants: amitriptyline and clomipramine

Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) are the non-selective amine re-uptake inhibitors, well absorbed from small intestine, cross the blood-brain barrier, distributed in the brain, and are bound to glutathione S-transferase-π (GST-π). TCAs can pass through placenta, accumulate in utero baby, and cause congenital malformations. Thus, the study of the interaction of GST-π with antidepressants is crucial. In this study, the interaction of GST-π with amitriptyline and clomipramine was investigated. The K (m) values for glutathione (GSH) and 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (CDNB) were found to be 0.16 ± 0.04 and 3.60 ± 1.67 mM, respectively. The V (m) values were varying according to the fixed substrate; [CDNB] fixed, 53 ± 3 and [GSH] fixed 182 ± 63 U/mg protein. At variable [GSH] and variable [CDNB], the k (cat) values of 7.0 × 10(6) and 1.42 × 10(7) s(-1) and the k (cat)/K (m) values of 4.38 × 10(10) and 3.94 × 10(9 )M(-1 )s(-1) were obtained, respectively. At fixed [CDNB] and variable [GSH], amitriptyline (K (s) = 0.16 ± 0.03 mM; α = 2.08; and K (i) = 1.75 ± 0.37 mM) and clomipramine (K (s) = 0.24 ± 0.05 mM; α = 1.57; and K (i) = 3.90 ± 2.26 mM) showed linear mixed-type inhibition whereas when the varied substrate is CDNB, amitriptyline (K (i) = 4.90 ± 0.68 mM) and clomipramine (K (i) = 3.37 ± 0.39 mM) inhibition were noncompetitive. The inhibition of GST-π by TCAs means the destruction of its protective role against toxic electrophiles. The effect of antidepressants on fetus will be much severe, thus, the antidepressant therapy of pregnant women should be done with caution.     

Synthesis and evaluation of novel 2-butyl-4-chloro-1-methylimidazole embedded chalcones and pyrazoles as angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors

A series of novel 2-butyl-4-chloro-1-methylimidazole embedded aryl and heteroaryl derived chalcones and pyrazoles were synthesized and evaluated for their angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory activity. The condensation of 2-butyl-4-chloro-1-methylimidazole-5-carboxaldehyde with various aryl and heteroaryl methyl ketones in the presence of 10% aqueous NaOH in methanol proceeded efficiently to give the respective chalcones in very good yields. Further, the reaction of chalcones with hydrazine hydrate in acetic acid gave substituted pyrazole analogues. Screening all 36 new compounds using ACE inhibition assay, resulted chalcones with better ACE inhibitory activity compared to the respective pyrazole analogues. Among the chalcones 4a-r, three compounds, (E)-3-(2-butyl-4-chloro-1-methyl-1H-imidazol-5-yl)-1-(5-chlorothiophen-2-yl)prop-2-enone 4i, (E)-3-(2-butyl-4-chloro-1-methyl-1H-imidazol-5-yl)-1-(1H-pyrrol-2-yl)prop-2-enone 4l, (E)-3-(2-butyl-4-chloro-1-methyl-1H-imidazol-5-yl)-1-(dibenzo[b,d] thiophen-2-yl)prop-2-enone 4q were resulted as most active ACE inhibitors with IC(50) of 3.60 μM, 2.24 μM, and 2.68 μM, respectively.     

Substrate-based design of reversible Pin1 inhibitors

Human Pin1, a peptidyl-prolyl cis/trans isomerase with high specificity to -Ser/Thr(PO(3)H(2))-Pro- motifs, is required for cell cycle progression. In an effort to design reversible Pin1 inhibitors by using a substrate structure based approach, a panel of peptides were applied to systematically analyze the minimal structural requirements for Pin1 substrate recognition. Pin1 catalysis (k(cat)/K(m) < 5 mM(-1) s(-1)) for Ala-Pro, Ser-Pro, and Ser(PO(3)H(2))-Pro was detected using direct UV-visible spectrophotometric detection of prolyl isomerization, while weak competitive inhibition of Pin1 by these dipeptides was observed (K(i) > 1 mM). Substrates with chain lengths extending from either the P2 to P1' or the P1 to P2' subsite gave k(cat)/K(m) values of 100 mM(-1) s(-1) for Ala-Ser(PO(3)H(2))-Pro and 38 mM(-1) s(-1) for Ser(PO(3)H(2))-Pro-Arg. For both Pin1 and its yeast homologue Ess1, the optimal subsite recognition elements comprise five amino acid residues with the essential Ser(PO(3)H(2)) in the middle position. The resulting substrate Ac-Ala-Ala-Ser(PO(3)H(2))-Pro-Arg-NH-4-nitroanilide possesses a very low cis/trans interconversion barrier in the presence of either Pin1 or Ess1, with k(cat)/K(m) = 9300 mM(-1) s(-1) and 12000 mM(-1) s(-1), respectively. The D-Ser(PO(3)H(2)) residue preceding proline could serve as a substrate-deactivating determinant without compromising ground state affinity. Similarly, substitution of the amide bond preceding proline with a thioxo amide bond produces a potent inhibitor. Pin1 is reversibly inhibited by such substrate analogue inhibitors with IC(50) values in the low micromolar range. The D-amino acid containing inhibitor also exhibits remarkable stability against phosphatase activity in cell lysate.