Halo enol lactones: studies on the mechanism of inactivation of alpha-chymotrypsin

In a previous investigation [Daniels, S. B., Cooney, E., Sofia, M. J., Chakravarty, P. K., & Katzenellenbogen, J. A. (1983) J. Biol. Chem. 258, 15046-15053], we demonstrated that alpha-aryl-substituted five- and six-membered ring halo enol lactones were effective inhibitors of chymotrypsin, and we proposed that they reacted by an enzyme-activated mechanism: acyl transfer to the active site serine generates a halomethyl ketone that remains tethered in the catalytic site until it alkylates an accessible nucleophilic residue. In this study, we have investigated in greater detail the process of chymotrypsin inactivation by an alpha-naphthyl-substituted five- and six-membered bromo enol lactone. Inactivation by both compounds appears to be active site directed, since the time-dependent inactivation is retarded by competing substrate. The possible involvement of a paracatalytic mechanism for inactivation (generation of a free, rather than active site bound, inactivating species) was investigated by comparing the inactivation efficiencies of the lactones with that of the bromomethyl keto acid hydrolysis products. The bromomethyl ketone derived from the five-membered lactone is ineffective, whereas that derived from the six-membered lactone is highly efficient. However, the possible involvement of the free keto acid in chymotrypsin inactivation by the six-membered lactone is ruled out by experiments involving selective scavenging. The long-term inactivation of chymotrypsin requires the presence of the bromine substituent and appears to involve an alkylation rather than an acylation reaction (hydrazine resistant). Furthermore, a 1:1 lactone:enzyme stoichiometry is demonstrated with the 14C-labeled six-membered lactone. These results are consistent with the mechanism-based inactivation process previously presented.     

Kinetics and mechanism of human leukocyte elastase inactivation by ynenol lactones

Human leukocyte elastase (HLE), a serine protease involved in inflammation and tissue degradation, can be irreversibly inactivated in a time- and concentration-dependent manner by ynenol lactones. Ynenol lactones that are alpha-unsubstituted do not inactivate but are alternate substrate inhibitors that are hydrolyzed by the enzyme. Ynenol lactones that are both substituted alpha to to the lactone carbonyl and unsubstituted at the acetylene terminus are rapid inactivators of HLE and inactivate pancreatic elastase and trypsin more slowly. 3-Benzyl-5(E)-(prop-2-ynylidene)tetrahydro-2-furanone inactivates HLE with biphasic kinetics and an apparent second-order rate of up to 22,000 M-1 s-1 (pH 7.8, 25 degrees C). The rate of inactivation is pH-dependent and is slowed by a competitive inhibitor. The partition ratio is 1.6 +/- 0.1. Rapid removal of ynenol lactone during the course of inactivation yields a mixture of acyl and inactivated enzyme species, which then shows a partial recovery of activity that is time- and pH-dependent. Inactivation is not reversible with hydroxylamine. The enzyme is not inactivated if the untethered allenone is added exogenously. All of these results are consistent with a mechanism involving enzyme acylation at serine-195 by the ynenol lactone, isomerization of the acyl enzyme to give a tethered allenone, and capture of a nucleophile (probably histidine-57) to inactivate the enzyme. Substitution at the acetylene terminus of ynenol lactones severely reduces their ability to inactivate HLE, because allenone formation is slowed and/or nucleophile capture is hindered. Chemical competence of each of these steps has been demonstrated [Spencer, R.W., Tam, T.F., Thomas, E.M., Robinson, V.J.,& Krantz, A. (1986) J. Am. Chem. Soc. 108, 5589-5597].     

Halo enol lactone inhibitors of chymotrypsin: burst kinetics and enantioselectivity of inactivation

Burst kinetics in the inactivation of alpha-chymotrypsin by halo enol lactones 1 and 2 was observed. These results are consistent with a kinetic scheme that includes partitioning of the first acyl enzyme between transient inhibition and permanent inactivation. Partition ratios were estimated from the measured rates of the irreversible inactivation and the rates of deacylation of the second acyl enzyme. Halo enol lactones with a large burst resulted in small partition ratios, indicating a high potency of inactivation. We also observed enantioselectivity in the burst of inactivation such that the R enantiomer of lactone 1 showed a large burst, while the S enantiomer showed a little burst. This suggests that it is the R enantiomer whose binding is better suited for the covalent derivatization of the enzyme, or whose reactive halomethyl group is in an unfavorable position for the hydrolysis by water.     

Inhibition of human leukocyte elastase, cathepsin G, chymotrypsin A alpha, and porcine pancreatic elastase with substituted isobenzofuranones and benzopyrandiones

Several 3-halo-3-(1-haloalkyl)-1(3H)-isobenzofuranones, 3-(1-haloalkylidene)-1(3H)-isobenzofuranones, and 3-bromomethyl-1H-2-benzopyran-1-ones containing masked halo ketone functional groups were synthesized and tested as inhibitors of several serine proteases including human leukocyte (HL) elastase and cathepsin G. While many of the 3-halo-3-(1-haloalkyl)-1(3H)-isobenzofuranones were quite potent inhibitors of the enzymes tested, the alkylideneisobenzofuranones and benzopyran-1-ones inhibited poorly or not at all. The 3-halo-3-(1-haloalkyl)-1(3H)-isobenzofuranones decomposed rapidly upon addition to buffer to give the corresponding 3-alkyl-1H-2-benzopyran-1,4(3H)-diones. The pure benzopyran-1,4-diones were extremely potent inhibitors of HL elastase and chymotrypsin A alpha but did not inactivate porcine pancreatic elastase or cathepsin G. Enzymes inhibited by the isobenzofuranones and benzopyran-1,4-diones regained activity slowly upon standing or after dialysis (t1/2 = 5-16 h) and more rapidly in the presence of 0.5 M hydroxylamine, which indicated the presence of labile acyl moieties in the inhibited enzyme. These results are consistent with a scheme in which the active site serine of the protease reacts with the lactone carbonyl of these inhibitors to give a stable acyl enzyme and alkylation of another active site residue by the unmasked halo ketone functional group does not occur.     

Irreversible inhibition of serine proteases by peptide derivatives of (alpha-aminoalkyl)phosphonate diphenyl esters

Peptidyl derivatives of diphenyl (alpha-aminoalkyl)phosphonates have been synthesized and are effective and specific inhibitors of serine proteases at low concentrations. Z-PheP(OPh)2 irreversibly reacts with chymotrypsin (kobsd/[I] = 1200 M-1 s-1) and does not react with two elastases. The best inhibitor for most chymotrypsin-like enzymes including bovine chymotrypsin, cathepsin G, and rat mast cell protease II is the tripeptide Suc-Val-Pro-PheP(OPh)2 which corresponds to the sequence of an excellent p-nitroanilide substrate for several chymases. The valine derivative Z-ValP(OPh)2 is specific for elastases and reacts with human leukocyte elastase (HLE, 280 M-1 s-1) but not with chymotrypsin. The tripeptide Boc-Val-Pro-ValP(OPh)2, which has a sequence found in a good trifluoromethyl ketone inhibitor of HLE, is the best inhibitor for HLE (kobsd/[I] = 27,000 M-1 s-1) and porcine pancreatic elastase (PPE, kobsd/[I] = 11,000 M-1 s-1). The rates of inactivation of chymotrypsin by MeO-Suc-Ala-Ala-Pro-PheP(OPh)2 and PPE and HLE by MeO-Suc-Ala-Ala-Pro-ValP(OPh)2 were decreased 2-5-fold in the presence of the corresponding substrate, which demonstrates active site involvement. Only one of two diastereomers of Suc-Val-Pro-PheP(OPh)2 reacts with chymotrypsin (146,000 M-1 s-1), and the enzyme-inhibitor complex had one broad signal at 25.98 ppm in the 31P NMR spectrum corresponding to the Ser-195 phosphonate ester. Phosphonylated serine proteases are extremely stable since the half-time for reactivation was greater than 48 h for the inhibited elastases and 7.5-26 h for chymotrypsin.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Studies on a leukocyte elastase inhibitor present in the culture medium of inflamed synovial tissue

The spent medium of cultured inflamed synovial tissue contains a potent inhibitor of leukocyte elastase. This leukocyte elastase inhibitor has no effect on leukocyte cathepsin G and pancreatic elastase is only marginally affected. The inhibitor is a glycoprotein, stable to heat, acid and reductive alkylation. Pretreatment of the inhibitor with either trypsin or chymotrypsin results in its inactivation.     

Mechanism of inactivation of human leukocyte elastase by a chloromethyl ketone: kinetic and solvent isotope effect studies

The mechanism of inactivation of human leukocyte elastase (HLE) by the chloromethyl ketone MeOSuc-Ala-Ala-Pro-Val-CH2Cl was investigated. The dependence of the first-order rate constant for inactivation on concentration of chloromethyl ketone is hyperbolic and suggests formation of a reversible "Michaelis complex" prior to covalent interaction between the enzyme and inhibitor. However, the observed Ki value is 10 microM, at least 10-fold lower than dissociation constants for complexes formed from interaction of HLE with structurally related substrates or reversible inhibitors, and suggests that Ki is a complex kinetic constant, reflecting the formation and accumulation of both the Michaelis complex and a second complex. It is proposed that this second complex is a hemiketal formed from attack of the active site serine on the carbonyl carbon of the inhibitor. The accumulation of this intermediate may be a general feature of reactions of serine proteases and chloromethyl ketones derived from specific peptides and accounts for the very low Ki values observed for these reactions. The solvent deuterium isotope effect (SIE) on the inactivation step (ki) is 1.58 +/- 0.07 and is consistent with rate-limiting, general-catalyzed attack of the active site His on the methylene carbon of the inhibitor with displacement of chloride anion. The general catalyst is thought to be the active site Asp. In contrast, the SIE on the second-order rate constant for HLE inactivation, ki/Ki, is inverse and equals 0.64 +/- 0.05.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Alternate substrate inhibitors of an alpha-chymotrypsin: enantioselective interaction of aryl-substituted enol lactones

Four enol lactones, bearing phenyl or 1-naphthyl substituents on the alpha or beta positions [3-phenyl-6-methylenetetrahydro-2-pyranone (alpha Ph6H, IIc), 3-(1-naphthyl)-6-methylenetetrahydro-2-pyranone (alpha Np6H, IId), 4-phenyl-6-methylenetetrahydro-2-pyranone (beta Ph6H, IIIc), and 4-(1-naphthyl)-6-methylenetetrahydro-2-pyranone (beta Np6H, IIId)], available as pure R and S enantiomers, have been studied as alternate substrate inhibitors of chymotrypsin. Kinetic constants for substrate binding (Ks) and acylation (ka) were determined by a competitive substrate assay, using succinyl-L-Ala-L-Ala-L-Pro-L-Phe p-nitroanilide; the deacylation rate constant (kd) was determined by the proflavin displacement assay. All lactones undergo rapid acylation (ka varies from 17 to 170 min-1) that shows little enantioselectivity; there is, however, pronounced enantioselectivity in substrate binding for three of the lactones [Ks(R/S) = 40-110]. In each case it is the enantiomer with the S configuration that has the higher affinity. In all cases, deacylation rates are slow, and in two cases, acyl enzymes with half-lives of 4.0 and 12.5 h at pH 7.2, 25 degrees C, are obtained (for beta Ph6H and alpha Np6H, respectively). In these cases, high deacylation enantioselectivity is observed [kd(S/R) = 60-70], and the lactone more weakly bound as a substrate (R enantiomer) gives the more stable acyl enzyme. Two hypotheses, involving hindrance of the attack of water or an exchange of the ester and ketone carbonyl groups in the acyl enzyme, are advanced as possible explanations for the high stability of these acyl enzymes.     

Haloenol lactones as inactivators and substrates of aldehyde dehydrogenase

Human aldehyde dehydrogenase (EC 1.2.1.3) isozymes E1 and E2 were irreversibly inactivated by stoichiometric concentrations of the haloenol lactones 3-isopropyl-6(E)-bromomethylene tetrahydro-pyran-2-one and 3-phenyl-6(E)-bromomethylene tetrahydro-pyran-2-one. No inactivation occurred with the corresponding nonhalogenated enol lactones. Both the dehydrogenase and esterase activities were abolished. Activity was not regained on dialysis or treatment with 2-mercaptoethanol. The inactivation was subject to substrate protection: NAD afforded protection which increased in the presence of the aldehyde-substrate competitive inhibitor chloral. Saturation kinetics gave positivey-axis intercepts, allowing the determination of binding constants. Inactivation stiochiometry determined with¹⁴C-labeled 3-(1-naphthyl)-6(E)-iodomethylene tetrahydropyran-2-one was found to correspond to the active-site number. The nonhalogenated lactone, 3-(1-naphthyl)-6(E)-methylene tetrahydropyran-1-one was shown to be a substrate for aldehyde dehydrogenase via its esterase function. Inactivation and enzymatic hydrolysis occurred within a similar time frame. Opening of the lactone ring to form enzyme-acyl intermediate with active site cysteine appears to be a necessary prerequisite to inactivation, since halogen in the lactone ring is nonreactive. Thus, the inactivation of aldehyde dehydrogenase by haloenol lactones is mechanism-based. Inactivation by haloenol lactones occurs in a manner analogous to that of chymotrypsin with which aldehyde dehydrogenase shares esterase activity and binding of haloenol lactones at the active site.     

Reaction of serine proteases with substituted 3-alkoxy-4-chloroisocoumarins and 3-alkoxy-7-amino-4-chloroisocoumarins: new reactive mechanism-based inhibitors

The time-dependent inactivation of several serine proteases including human leukocyte elastase, cathepsin G, rat mast cell proteases I and II, and human skin chymase by a number of 3-alkoxy-4-chloroisocoumarins, 3-alkoxy-4-chloro-7-nitroisocoumarins, and 3-alkoxy-7-amino-4-chloroisocoumarins at pH 7.5 and the inactivation of several trypsin-like enzymes including human thrombin and factor XIIa by 7-amino-4-chloro-3-ethoxyisocoumarin and 4-chloro-3-ethoxyisocoumarin are reported. The 3-alkoxy substituent of the isocoumarin is likely interacting with the S1 subsite of the enzyme since the most reactive inhibitor for a particular enzyme had a 3-substituent complementary to the enzyme's primary substrate specificity site (S1). Inactivation of several enzymes including human leukocyte elastase by the 3-alkoxy-7-amino-4-chlorisocoumarins is irreversible, and less than 3% activity is regained upon extensive dialysis of the inactivated enzyme. Addition of hydroxylamine to enzymes inactivated by the 3-alkoxy-7-amino-4-chloroisocoumarins results in a slow (t1/2 greater than 6.7 h) and incomplete (32-57%) regain in enzymatic activity at pH 7.5. Inactivation by the 3-alkoxy-4-chloroisocoumarins and 3-alkoxy-4-chloro-7-nitroisocoumarins on the other hand is transient, and full enzyme activity is regained rapidly either upon standing, after dialysis, or upon the addition of buffered hydroxylamine. The rate of inactivation by the substituted isocoumarins is decreased when substrates or reversible inhibitors are present in the incubation mixture, which indicates active site involvement. The inactivation rates are dependent upon the pH of the reaction mixture, the isocoumarin ring system is opened concurrently with inactivation, and the reaction of 3-alkoxy-7-amino-4-chloroisocoumarins with porcine pancreatic elastase is shown to be stoichiometric. The results are consistent with a scheme where 3-alkoxy-7-amino-4-chloroisocoumarins react with the active site serine of a serine protease to give an acyl enzyme in which a reactive quinone imine methide can be released. Irreversible inactivation could then occur upon alkylation of an active site nucleophile (probably histidine-57) by the acyl quinone imine methide. The finding that hydroxylamine slowly catalyzes partial reactivation indicates that several inactivated enzyme species may exist. The 3-alkoxy-substituted 4-chloroisocoumarins and 4-chloro-7-nitroisocoumarins are simple acylating agents and do not give stable inactivated enzyme structures.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

A single mutation in P450BM-3 enhances acyl homoserine lactone: acyl homoserine substrate binding selectivity nearly 250-fold

Quorum sensing is the process by which bacteria alter gene regulation in response to their population density. The enzymatic inactivation of quorum signals has shown promise for use in genetically modified organisms resistant to pathogens. We recently characterized the ability of a cytochrome P450, P450BM-3, to oxidize the quorum sensing signals known as acyl homoserine lactones. The oxidation of the acyl homoserine lactones reduced their activity as quorum signals. The enzyme also oxidized the inactive lactonolysis products, acyl homoserines. The enzyme showed similar binding affinity for the acyl homoserine lactones and acyl homoserines. The latter reaction may lead to problems when lactonases and the P450-dependent system are used in tandem, as oxidation of the acyl homoserines produced by lactonolysis in vivo may compete with acyl homoserine lactone oxidation by the cytochrome P450. We report here that a single mutation (R47S) in P450BM-3 is capable of increasing the acyl homoserine lactone: acyl homoserine substrate binding selectivity of the enzyme nearly 250-fold, reducing the potential for competition by acyl homoserines and significantly enhancing the potential for use of P450BM-3 as part of a pathogen resistance system in genetically modified crops.     

Coumarinic derivatives as mechanism-based inhibitors of alpha-chymotrypsin and human leukocyte elastase

Novel coumarinic derivatives were synthesized and tested for their inhibitory potency toward alpha-CT and HLE. Cycloalkyl esters and amides were found to be essentially inactive on both enzymes. On the opposite, aromatic esters strongly inactivated alpha-CT whereas HLE was less efficiently inhibited with dichlorophenyl ester derivatives (kinact/K(I) = 4000 M(-1) s(-1) for 36). Representative examples of amide, ester, thioester and ketone derivatives were prepared in order to evaluate the influence of the link between the coumarinic ring and the phenyl side chain. The irreversible inactivation of alpha-CT by 6-chloromethyl derivatives should be due to alkylation of a histidine residue as suggested by the amino acid analysis of the modified chymotrypsin. Conversely the inhibition of HLE was transient. Intrinsic reactivity of coumarins has been calculated using a model of a nucleophilic reaction between the ligand and the couple methanol-water. From this calculation, it appears that differences in the inhibitory potency expressed by these molecules cannot only be explained by differences in the reactivity of the lactonic carbonyl group toward the nucleophilic attack.     

Mechanism-based inactivation of human leukocyte elastase via an enzyme-induced sulfonamide fragmentation process

We describe herein the design and in vitro biochemical evaluation of a novel class of mechanism-based inhibitors of human leukocyte elastase (HLE) that inactivate the enzyme via an unprecedented enzyme-induced sulfonamide fragmentation cascade. The inhibitors incorporate in their structure an appropriately functionalized saccharin scaffold. Furthermore, the inactivation of the enzyme by these inhibitors was found to be time-dependent and to involve the active site. Biochemical, HPLC, and mass spectrometric studies show that the interaction of these inhibitors with HLE results in the formation of a stable acyl complex and is accompanied by the release of (L) phenylalanine methyl ester. The data are consistent with initial formation of a Michaelis-Menten complex and subsequent formation of a tetrahedral intermediate with the active site serine (Ser(195)). Collapse of the tetrahedral intermediate with tandem fragmentation results in the formation of a highly reactive conjugated sulfonyl imine which can either react with water to form a stable acyl enzyme and/or undergo a Michael addition reaction with an active site nucleophilic residue (His(57)). It is also demonstrated herein that this class of compounds can be used in the design of inhibitors of serine proteases having either a neutral or basic primary substrate specificity. Thus, the results suggest that these inhibitors constitute a potential general class of mechanism-based inhibitors of (chymo)trypsin-like serine proteases.     

Functionalized N-aryl azetidinones as novel mechanism-based inhibitors of neutrophil elastase

A functionalized N-aryl azetidinone has been shown to inactivate human leukocyte elastase (HLE) and porcine pancreatic elastase (PPE) by an enzyme-mediated process. The inactivation is characterized by the following kinetic constants at pH 8.0 and 37 degrees C: kinact = 0.035 s-1, KI = 1.2 x 10(-4) M for HLE, 0.08 s-1 and 2.7 x 10(-4) M for PPE, respectively. Two parent molecules devoid of the latent leaving group failed to inactivate HLE and PPE and behaved as substrates of these enzymes. A suicide mechanism is postulated involving the formation of an acyl-enzyme and the simultaneous unmasking of a latent quinonimmonium methide ion which irreversibly reacts with an active site nucleophile. Moreover, the inhibitor is still effective at inhibiting elastase preabsorbed onto elastin.     

Characterization of a phosphotriesterase-like lactonase from Sulfolobus solfataricus and its immobilization for disruption of quorum sensing

SsoPox, a bifunctional enzyme with organophosphate hydrolase and N-acyl homoserine lactonase activities from the hyperthermophilic archaeon Sulfolobus solfataricus, was overexpressed and purified from recombinant Pseudomonas putida KT2440 with a yield of 9.4 mg of protein per liter of culture. The enzyme has a preference for N-acyl homoserine lactones (AHLs) with acyl chain lengths of at least 8 carbon atoms, mainly due to lower K(m) values for these substrates. The highest specificity constant obtained was for N-3-oxo-decanoyl homoserine lactone (k(cat)/K(m) = 5.5 × 10(3) M(-1)·s(-1)), but SsoPox can also degrade N-butyryl homoserine lactone (C(4)-HSL) and N-oxo-dodecanoyl homoserine lactone (oxo-C(12)-HSL), which are important for quorum sensing in our Pseudomonas aeruginosa model system. When P. aeruginosa PAO1 cultures were grown in the presence of SsoPox-immobilized membranes, the production of C(4)-HSL- and oxo-C(12)-HSL-regulated virulence factors, elastase, protease, and pyocyanin were significantly reduced. This is the first demonstration that immobilized quorum-quenching enzymes can be used to attenuate the production of virulence factors controlled by quorum-sensing signals.     

Active-site directed inactivation of rat ovarian 20 alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase.

Rat ovarian 20 alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase plays a pivotal role in leuteolysis and parturition by catalysing the reduction of progesterone to give the progestationally inactive steroid 20 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone. Putative mechanism based inhibitors of this enzyme were synthesized as potential progestational maintaining agents, including the epimeric allylic alcohol pair 3 beta-hydroxy-alpha-vinyl-5 alpha-androstane-17 beta-methanol and the related vinyl ketone 1-(3 beta-hydroxy-5 alpha-androstan-17 beta-yl)-2-propen-1-one. The vinyl ketone inactivates rat ovarian 20 alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, semi-purified by poly(L-lysine)-agarose column chromatography, in a rapid time-dependent manner. Analysis of the pseudo-first-order inactivation plots gave a Ki of 2.0 microM for the inhibitor and a t1/2 for the enzyme of 20 s at saturation. These data indicate that the vinyl ketone is a potent and efficient inactivator of the ovarian dehydrogenase. Neither dialysis in the presence or absence of a competing nucleophile nor gel filtration reserves the inactivation, suggesting that a stable covalent bond is formed between the enzyme and steroid ligand. Both substrates (20 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone and NADP+) protect the enzyme from inactivation; moreover, initial velocity measurements in the presence of saturating concentrations of both substrates indicate that the vinyl ketone can behave as a competitive inhibitor, yielding a Ki value identical with that obtained in the inactivation experiments. Our results imply that the vinyl ketone is an active-site directed alkylating agent. By contrast the allylic alcohol pair 3 beta-hydroxy-alpha-vinyl-5 alpha-androstane-17 beta-methanol are neither substrates nor inhibitors of the ovarian enzyme and appear to be excluded from the catalytic site. The rapid inactivation observed with the vinyl ketone suggests that this compound may be useful as a progestational maintaining agent.     

Reaction of serine proteases with substituted isocoumarins: discovery of 3,4-dichloroisocoumarin, a new general mechanism based serine protease inhibitor

The mechanism-based inactivations of a number of serine proteases, including human leukocyte (HL) elastase, cathepsin G, rat mast cell proteases I and II, several human and bovine blood coagulation proteases, and human factor D by substituted isocoumarins and phthalides which contain masked acyl chloride or anhydride moieties, are reported. 3,4-Dichloroisocoumarin, the most potent inhibitor investigated here, inactivated all the serine proteases tested but did not inhibit papain, leucine aminopeptidase, or beta-lactamase. 3,4-Dichloroisocoumarin was fairly selective toward HL elastase (kobsd/[I] = 8920 M-1 s-1); the inhibited enzyme was quite stable to reactivation (kdeacyl = 2 X 10(-5) s-1), while enzymes inhibited by 3-acetoxyisocoumarin and 3,3-dichlorophthalide regained full activity upon standing. The rate of inactivation was decreased dramatically in the presence of reversible inhibitors or substrates, and ultraviolet spectral measurements indicate that the isocoumarin ring structure is lost upon inactivation. Chymotrypsin A gamma is totally inactivated by 1.2 equiv of 3-chloroisocoumarin or 3,4-dichloroisocoumarin, and approximately 1 equiv of protons is released upon inactivation. These results indicate that these compounds react with serine proteases to release a reactive acyl chloride moiety which can acylate another active site residue. These are the first mechanism-based inhibitors reported for many of the enzymes tested, and 3,4-dichloroisocoumarin should find wide applicability as a general serine protease inhibitor.     

Potent inhibition of human leukocyte elastase by 1,2,5-thiadiazolidin-3-one 1,1 dioxide-based sulfonamide derivatives

The design, synthesis, and in vitro biochemical evaluation of a class of mechanism-based inhibitors of human leukocyte elastase (HLE) that incorporate in their structure a 1,2,5-thiadiazolidin-3-one 1,1 dioxide scaffold with appropriate recognition and reactivity elements appended to it is described. The synthesized compounds were found to be efficient, time-dependent inhibitors of HLE. The interaction of the inhibitors with HLE is postulated to lead to the formation of a highly reactive N-sulfonyl imine (a Michael acceptor) that arises from an enzyme-induced sulfonamide fragmentation cascade. Subsequent reaction ultimately leads to the formation of a relatively stable acyl enzyme. The results cited herein demonstrate convincingly the superiority of the 1,2,5-thiadiazolidin-3-one 1,1 dioxide scaffold over other scaffolds (e.g., saccharin) in the design of inhibitors of (chymo)trypsin-like serine proteases.     

Specific inhibition of human granulocyte elastase with peptide aldehydes

The kinetic features of human granulocyte elastase, chymotrypsin, porcine pancreatic elastase and elastomucoproteinase were compared. Amino acyl ester substrates were assayed and Km and kcat values were defined. Aldehyde analogues of the p-nitroanilide substrates designed for granulocyte elastase as optimal for Km appeared to be potent inhibitors. Suc-D-Phe-Pro-valinal (Ki = 40 microM) was found to inhibit granulocyte elastase competitively and specifically when measured with synthetic substrates, and the Ki was 3 microM with the natural protein substrate, elastin.     

Mechanism for slow-binding inhibition of human leukocyte elastase by valine-derived benzoxazinones

Valine-derived benzoxazinones have been synthesized and found to be competitive, slow-binding inhibitors of human leukocyte elastase (HLE). Steady-state inhibition constants Ki are dependent on aryl substitution and reach a maximum of potency of 0.5 nM with the 5-Cl compound 6. UV-spectral data for the interaction of HLE and the unsubstituted inhibitor 3 indicate that the stable complex formed between enzyme and inhibitor is an acyl-enzyme that can either undergo ring closure, to reform intact benzoxazinone, or hydrolysis, to liberate an N-acylanthranilic acid. "Burst" kinetic data, derived from the direct observation of the interaction of HLE and 3, are consistent with results of the inhibition of catalysis experiments.