Implications of the three-dimensional structure of alpha 1-antitrypsin for structure and function of serpins

Crystallization and X-ray diffraction data of the cleaved form of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1

To characterize the structural requirements for the conformational flexibility in plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) we have crystallized human PAI-1, carrying a mutation which stabilizes PAI-1 in its substrate form. Crystallization was performed by the hanging drop diffusion method at pH 8.5 in the presence of 19% (w/v) polyethyleneglycol 4000 as a precipitant. The crystals appear after 3 days at 23 degrees C and belong to the monoclinic space group C2 with cell dimensions of a = 151.8 A, b = 47.5 A, c = 62.7 A, and beta = 113.9 degrees, and one molecule in the asymmetric unit. The X-ray diffraction data set contains data with a limiting resolution of 2.5 A. Biochemical analysis of the redissolved crystals indicated that during the crystallization process, cleavage had occurred in the active site loop at the P1-P1' position. The availability of good-quality crystals of the cleaved form of this serpin will allow its three-dimensional structure to be solved and will provide detailed information on the structure-function relationship in PAI-1.

Production of chicken ovalbumin in Escherichia coli

For better understanding of the structure-function relationship in serine proteinase inhibitors, a protein engineering approach for converting non-inhibitory chicken ovalbumin (Ova) to the inhibitory form would be a highly useful model system. A prerequisite expression system for the Ova-encoding gene (Ova) was established in this study. The Ova gene was expressed in Escherichia coli with high yield using the T7 phage promoter; the amount of the recombinant Ova (re-Ova) was 29.4% of cellular proteins. SDS-PAGE and Western blotting analysis revealed that re-Ova immunoreacting with the egg ovalbumin antibody is not glycosylated. The re-Ova was purified by anion exchange chromatography into homogeneity, as evaluated by SDS-PAGE. Amino-acid and N-terminal sequence analyses confirmed that the purified product had the correct sequence designed for Ova production. As for secondary structure, re-Ova showed a far-UV circular dichroism spectrum indistinguishable from natural egg Ova. Furthermore, the proteolytic fragmentation pattern that should reflect protein conformation was exactly the same for the natural egg and re-Ova. Using the proteolytic fragments, the identity of the internal sequences for the natural and re- proteins was confirmed.

Elimination of glycosylation heterogeneity affecting heparin affinity of recombinant human antithrombin III by expression of a beta-like variant in baculovirus-infected insect cells

In order to promote homogeneity of recombinant antithrombin III interactions with heparin, an asparagine-135 to alanine substitution mutant was expressed in baculovirus-infected insect cells. The N135A variant does not bear an N-linked oligosaccharide on residue 135 and is therefore similar to the beta isoform of plasma antithrombin. Purified bv.hat3.N135A is homogeneous with respect to molecular mass, charge and elution from immobilized heparin. Second-order rate constants for thrombin and factor Xa inhibition determined in the absence and presence of heparin are in good agreement with values established for plasma antithrombin and these enzymes. Based on far- and near-UV CD, bv.hat3.N135A has a high degree of conformational similarity to plasma antithrombin. Near-UV CD, absorption difference and fluorescence spectroscopy studies indicate that it also undergoes an identical or very similar conformational change upon heparin binding. The Kds of bv.hat3.N135A for high-affinity heparin and pentasaccharide were determined and are in good agreement with those of the plasma beta-antithrombin isoform. The demonstrated similarity of bv.hat3.N135A and plasma antithrombin interactions with target proteinases and heparins suggest that it will be a useful base molecule for investigating the structural basis of antithrombin III heparin cofactor activity.

Antithrombin and heparin

Antithrombin, the main inhibitor of thrombosis in blood, is bound and activated by the heparin-like side-chains that line the small vasculature. We now have good depictions of the heparin-binding site on antithrombin, and of the way in which mutations at this site cause thrombotic disease. The interaction of heparin with antithrombin is, however, a kinetic one, with binding being followed by formation of a complex with thrombin and then release from the heparin. Our understanding of the processes involved is currently based on crystallographic models but, for a mobile mechanism, these merely provide snapshots - what is needed is a movie.

Formation and properties of C1-inhibitor polymers

Heating of the serpin C1-inhibitor above 55 degrees C induced the formation of inactive polymers. Western blotting of non-denaturing gels showed that the polymers bound to the conformation specific monoclonal antibody 4C3, suggesting that a similar conformational change to that occurring in complexed or cleaved inhibitor had taken place. N-Terminal analysis of tryptic peptides which bound to 4C3 showed that the epitope resides within residues 288-444, a region which includes parts of beta-sheets A and C. alpha 1-Antichymotrypsin, alpha 2-antiplasmin, angiotensinogen and thyroxine binding globulin also polymerised on heating, indicating that this is a property of many serpins.

Partial glycosylation of antithrombin III asparagine-135 is caused by the serine in the third position of its N-glycosylation consensus sequence and is responsible for production of the beta-antithrombin III isoform with enhanced heparin affinity

Two antithrombin III (ATIII) isoforms occur naturally in human plasma. The alpha-ATIII isoform has four N-linked oligosaccharides attached to asparagines 96, 135, 155, and 192. The beta-ATIII isoform lacks carbohydrate on asparagine-135 (N135), which is near the heparin binding site, and binds heparin with higher affinity than does alpha-ATIII. Two isoforms are also produced when the normal human ATIII cDNA sequence is expressed in baculovirus-infected insect cells, and the recombinant beta' isoform similarly binds heparin with higher affinity than the recombinant alpha' isoform. Consensus sequences (CSs) of the ATIII N-glycosylation sites are N-X-S for 135 and N-X-T for 96, 155, and 192. On the basis of database and in vitro glycosylation studies suggesting that N-X-S CSs are utilized less efficiently than N-X-T CSs, we hypothesized that the beta-ATIII isoform might result from inefficient core glycosylation of the N135 N-X-S CS due to the presence of a serine, rather than a threonine, in the third position. ATIIIs with N-X-S, N-X-T, and N-X-A consensus sequences were expressed in baculovirus-infected insect cells. In contrast to the N-X-S sequence, which expressed a mixture of alpha' and beta' molecules, the N-X-T variant produced alpha' exclusively, while the N-X-A variant produced beta' exclusively. Thus, serine in the third position of the N135 CS is responsible for its "partial" glycosylation and leads to production of beta-ATIII.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Structural basis for serpin inhibitor activity

The mechanism of formation and the structures of serpin-inhibitor complexes are not completely understood, despite detailed knowledge of the structures of a number of cleaved and uncleaved inhibitor, noninhibitor, and latent serpins. It has been proposed from comparison of inhibitor and noninhibitor serpins in the cleaved and uncleaved forms that insertion of strand s4A into preexisting beta-sheet A is a requirement for serpin inhibitor activity. We have investigated the role of this strand in formation of serpin-proteinase complexes and in serpin inhibitor activity through homology modeling of wild type inhibitor, mutant substrate, and latent serpins, and of putative serpin-proteinase complexes. These models explain the high stability of the complexes and provide an understanding of substrate behavior in serpins with point mutations in s4A and of latency in plasminogen activator inhibitor I.

Sodium dodecyl sulfate-stable complexes between serpins and active or inactive proteinases contain the region COOH-terminal to the reactive site loop

Recently inhibitors of the serpin family were shown to form complexes with dichloroisocoumarine (DCI)-inactivated proteinases under native conditions (Enghild, J. J., Valnickova, Z., Thøgersen I., and Pizzo, S. V. (1994) J. Biol. Chem. 269, 20159-20166). This study demonstrates that serpin-DCI/proteinase complexes resist dissociation when analyzed in reduced SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Previously, SDS-stable serpin-proteinase complexes have been observed only between serpins and catalytically active proteinases. The stability of these complexes is believed to result from an acyl-ester bond between the active site Ser195 of the proteinase and the alpha-carbonyl group of the scissile bond in the reactive site loop. We have further analyzed the structure of the SDS-stable serpin-proteinase and serpin-DCI/proteinase complexes. The results of these studies demonstrate the presence of the COOH-terminal region of the serpin in both complexes. Since (i) modification of Ser195 does not prevent formation of SDS-stable complexes and (ii) COOH-terminal peptides are present in both complexes, the previously described mechanism does not sufficiently explain the formation of SDS-stable complexes.

Identification of lysines within alpha 1-antichymotrypsin important for DNA binding. An unusual combination of DNA-binding elements

The human serum serine protease inhibitor (serpin) alpha 1-antichymotrypsin (ACT) appears to be unique among serpins in its ability to bind to double-stranded DNA. Using site-directed mutagenesis and chemical modification, a tri-lysine sequence (residues 210-212) falling within a solvent exposed loop and the C-terminal peptide containing two lysines (residues 391 and 396) were shown to be important for DNA binding. Mutation of residues 210-212 from lysines to either glutamates or threonines abolished DNA binding. The Lys210-Thr211-212 and Thr210-Th4(211)-Lys212 variants displayed reduced affinity for DNA, especially at higher ionic strength. Limited acetylation of rACT with acetic anhydride led to loss of DNA binding and, conversely, DNA protected rACT from acetylation. A combination of CNBr digestion, peptide separation, and peptide sequencing identified Lys396, two residues from the C terminus, as the most reactive lysine in rACT. Acetylation of Lys396 is strongly decreased in the presence of DNA. The double mutant K391T/K396T-rACT had very little affinity for DNA. The epsilon-amines of lysines 210-212 are 8-15 A across a cleft from the epsilon-amines in Lys391 and Lys396, and together these two elements may form an unusual DNA binding domain. Attempts to isolate a DNA sequence to which ACT binds specifically have been unsuccessful to date, raising the possibility that nonspecific binding of ACT to DNA suffices to account for the ACT found in certain cell nuclei. ACT variants not binding to double-stranded DNA retain ACT protease inhibitory activity, a potentially important result for the use of ACT variants as therapeutic agents.

Identification of angiotensinogen and complement C3dg as novel proteins binding the proform of eosinophil major basic protein in human pregnancy serum and plasma

In sera from pregnant women, pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A (PAPP-A) circulates as a disulfide-bound complex (approximately 474 kDa) with the proform of eosinophil major basic protein (proMBP) (Oxvig, C., Sand, O., Kristensen, T., Gleich, G. J., and Sottrup-Jensen, L. (1993) J. Biol. Chem. 268, 12243-12246). We have produced monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against the PAPP-A.proMBP complex and established a radioimmunoassay utilizing a mAb recognizing the PAPP-A subunit. Surprisingly, serum levels of proMBP exceed those of PAPP-A four to 10-fold on a molar basis throughout pregnancy. This result prompted an investigation of the status of proMBP in pregnancy. Using a proMBP-specific mAb two novel proMBP complexes have been isolated by chromatographic techniques. Based on sequence analysis, sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and reaction with specific antibodies, one is shown to be a 2:2 disulfide-bound complex (approximately 200 kDa) between proMBP and angiotensinogen. The other is a 2:2:2 complex (approximately 300 kDa) between proMBP, angiotensinogen, and complement C3dg. Circulating proMBP in pregnancy is thus present in three types of complexes. These results suggest that specific interactions between the complexed proteins occur in pregnancy, and the possibility is raised that their interactions are important in the pathophysiology of pregnancies associated with hypertension.

Influence of low molecular mass heparin on the kinetics of neutrophil elastase inhibition by mucus proteinase inhibitor

Commercial low molecular mass heparin accelerates the inhibition of neutrophil elastase by mucus proteinase inhibitor, the predominant antielastase of lung secretions (Faller, B., Mély, Y., Gérard, D., and Bieth, J.G. (1992) Biochemistry 31, 8285-8290). To study the kinetic mechanism of this rate enhancement, we have isolated a 4.5-kDa heparin fragment from commercial heparin. This compound is fairly monodisperse as shown by analytical ultracentrifugation. It binds elastase and inhibitor with a 1:1 stoichiometry and an equilibrium dissociation constant of 3 and 210 nM, respectively. It also forms a tight complex with EI. Flow calorimetry shows that the inhibitor-heparin interaction is characterized by a large negative enthalpy change (delta H0 = -45.2 kJ mol-1) and a small entropy change (delta S = -23.7 J K-1 mol-1). Stopped-flow kinetics run under pseudo-first-order conditions ([Io] >> [Eo]) show that in the absence of heparin the inhibition conforms to a simple bimolecular reaction, [formula: see text] where, ka = 3.1 x 10(6) M-1 s-1, kd = 10(-4) s-1, and Ki = 33 pM, whereas in the presence of heparin, E and I react via a two-step mechanism, [formula: see text] where Ki* = 86 nM, k2 = 2.2 s-1, k-2 = 10(-3) s-1, and Ki = 37 pM. Thus, heparin increases both the rate of inhibition by promoting the formation of a high affinity EI* intermediate and the rate of EI dissociation. Since the dissociation is negligible in bronchial secretions where the inhibitor concentration is much higher than Ki, it may be concluded that heparin significantly potentiates the inhibitor's antielastase potential in vivo.

Structure and function of corticosteroid-binding globulin: role of carbohydrates

To study the site-specificity of human corticosteroid-binding globulin (CBG) glycosylation and the functional significance of individual carbohydrate chains in its molecule, a panel of recombinant CBG mutants containing each of the six potential glycosylation sites alone and in various combinations has been expressed in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells. Analyses of these mutant glycoproteins showed that three of the glycosylation sites are only partially utilized, and this may contribute to the production of glycoforms with distinct physiological functions. Processing of individual carbohydrate chains (branching and fucosylation) is site-specific and may, thus, account for the formation of structural determinants essential for the recognition of CBG by cell membranes. Glycosylation at the only phylogenetically conserved consensus site, Asn238-Gly239-Thr240, is essential for the biosynthesis of CBG with steroid-binding activity. Evidence has been obtained to support the hypothesis that transient carbohydrate-polypeptide interactions between Trp266 and the maturing carbohydrate chain at Asn238 occur during early stages of the CBG biosynthesis which affect protein folding and formation of the steroid-binding site. Another tryptophan residue, Trp371, has been found to be critical for CBG-steroid interactions and is likely located in the steroid-binding site.

The urokinase/urokinase-receptor system and cancer invasion

u-PA binds with high affinity to its specific GPI-anchored receptor on the cell surface. The binding has at least two important consequences: (1) it enhances the rate of plasminogen activation on the cell surface; and (2) it focuses the u-PA proteolytic activity at the leading front of migrating cells. Several recent findings suggest that surface-bound u-PA is essential for the invasive ability of tumour cells, even if a picture is emerging indicating a concerted action with other proteases, like collagenases and cathepsin B (Kobayashi et al, 1992; Ossowski, 1992; Schmitt et al, 1992; (Danø et al, 1994). In some tumours, e.g. colon, breast and skin cancer, in situ hybridization studies have given an insight into the u-PA/u-PAR tumour biology showing a complex interplay between stromal and cancer cells Danø et al, 1994). u-PA, u-PAR, and PAI-1 tumour content are now well established prognostic factor in breast cancer. This body of knowledge could be used for theurapeutic purposes. For example, a large study with 671 patients has allowed the identification of node-negative patients which, according to their u-PA levels, would need adjuvant therapy (Foekens et al, 1992). Many other tumours, especially colorectal cancer, expect a direct clinical evaluation of u-PA, u-PAR and serpins as prognostic factors.

Deletion mutagenesis of heparin cofactor II: defining the minimum size of a thrombin inhibiting serpin

Heparin cofactor II (HCII) is a 66 kDa plasma glycoprotein that belongs to the serpin superfamily of protease inhibitors. Its natural target is thrombin. HCII inhibits thrombin in both a progressive reaction, and in an accelerated reaction catalyzed by a glycosaminoglycan, dermatan sulphate (DS). Both modes of inhibition result in the formation of a stable, denaturation-resistant complex. Using a cDNA clone encoding rabbit HCII recently isolated and characterized in our laboratory, we have employed deletion mutagenesis to identify amino-terminal regions of the molecular which are essential to the progressive reaction. PCR was employed to produce four deletion constructs: delta 58, delta 81, delta 106, and delta 169, all in an in vitro transcription vector plasmid background. Transcription of the full-length construct, and of the four deletion constructs, followed by in vitro translation in rabbit reticulocyte lysate, was used to produce the corresponding HCII-related polypeptides. The delta 106 and delta 169 mutants failed to react with thrombin, even in the presence of DS. In contrast, the delta 58 and delta 82 mutants retained the ability to form complexes with thrombin, although the rate of complex formation was decreased for the latter mutant compared to the full-length recombinant HCII; no acceleration of complex formation in the presence of 20 micrograms/ml DS was noted for either truncated recombinant HCII. Alignment of the rabbit HCII primary structure with secondary structural elements found in alpha 1 antitrypsin and other serpins showed that the non-functional delta 106 mutant lacks helix A, while the functional delta 82 mutant contains this element. Our results suggest that helix A is an essential part of a functional serpin, and define the limits of the amino-terminal region of HCII which is not essential for thrombin inhibition.

Chimeric flavonol sulfotransferases define a domain responsible for substrate and position specificities

The pFST3 and pFST4' cDNAs encode flavonol sulfotransferases (ST) that are 69% identical in amino acid sequence yet exhibit strict substrate and position specificities. To determine the domain responsible for the properties of the flavonol STs, several chimeric flavonol STs were constructed by the reciprocal exchange of DNA fragments derived from the plasmids pFST3 and pFST4' and by the expression of the corresponding chimeric proteins in Escherichia coli. The chimeric enzymes were enzymatically active even though their activities were reduced compared to the parent enzymes. The specificity of the resulting hybrid proteins indicates that an interval of the flavonol STs spanning amino acids 92-194 of the flavonol 3-ST sequence contains the determinant of the substrate and position preferences. From the comparison of the amino acid sequences between plant and animal STs, this interval can be subdivided into a highly conserved region corresponding to positions 134-152 of the flavonol 3-ST, flanked by two regions of high divergence from 98 to 110 and 153 to 170. In view of the similarities in length and hydropathic profiles as well as the presence of four conserved regions between plant and animal STs, the results of these experiments suggest that this interval is involved in the recognition of substrates and/or catalysis in all STs.

Peptide-mediated inactivation of recombinant and platelet plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 in vitro

Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), the primary inhibitor of tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA) and urokinase plasminogen activator, is an important regulator of the blood fibrinolytic system. Elevated plasma levels of PAI-1 are associated with thrombosis, and high levels of PAI-1 within platelet-rich clots contribute to their resistance to lysis by t-PA. Consequently, strategies aimed at inhibition of PAI-1 may prove clinically useful. This study was designed to test the hypothesis that a 14-amino acid peptide, corresponding to the PAI-1 reactive center loop (residues 333-346), can rapidly inhibit PAI-1 function. PAI-1 (0.7 microM) was incubated with peptide (55 microM) at 37 degrees C. At timed intervals, residual PAI-1 activity was determined by addition of reaction mixture samples to t-PA and chromogenic substrate. The T1/2 of PAI-1 activity in the presence of peptide was 4 +/- 3 min compared to a control T1/2 of 98 +/- 18 min. The peptide also inhibited complex formation between PAI-1 and t-PA as demonstrated by SDS-PAGE analysis. However, the capacity of the peptide to inhibit PAI-1 bound to vitronectin, a plasma protein that stabilizes PAI-1 activity, was markedly attenuated. Finally, the peptide significantly enhanced in vitro lysis of platelet-rich clots and platelet-poor clots containing recombinant PAI-1. These results indicate that a 14-amino acid peptide can rapidly inactivate PAI-1 and accelerate fibrinolysis in vitro. These studies also demonstrate that PAI-1 function can be directly attenuated in a physiologic setting and suggest a novel approach for augmenting fibrinolysis in vivo.

Molecular cloning of a serine proteinase inhibitor from Brugia malayi

The antigens produced by the infective-stage larvae of filarial parasites are potentially important targets for a protective immune response. A major impediment to studies on the biochemistry and molecular biology of antigens from infective larvae is a lack of parasite material. By employing a reverse transcription PCR-based strategy which exploited the presence of a conserved 22-nucleotide spliced leader sequence present at the 5' end of a proportion of nematode transcripts, spliced leader-containing cDNAs were amplified from the late-vector-stage larvae of the filarial nematode Brugia malayi. A major 1.4-kb PCR product was cloned into pBluescript. One of the PCR cDNA clones (BmY8) contained a 1,287-bp insert that encoded the first member of the serine proteinase inhibitor (serpin) superfamily to be described from nematodes. Reverse transcription PCR analysis of RNA isolated from different developmental stages of the parasite showed that transcription of the B. malayi serpin (Bmserpin) begins between days 8 and 9 of larval development within the insect vector and continues through to the adult and microfilarial stages. In immunoblot analyses of B. malayi somatic extracts, the native protein was estimated to have a molecular weight of 44,000. In immunoblots using excretory-secretory products from infective- and fourth-stage larvae, a single band with an estimated molecular weight of 75,000 was detected. A quantitative analysis of somatic extracts demonstrated that infective-stage larvae contained 10- to 16-fold-more Bmserpin than adults or microfilariae. Bmserpin was immunogenic in gerbils and was recognized strongly by sera from immunized animals. Bmserpin, which has the potential for modifying host defense responses, may play an important role in parasite survival during the early phase of vertebrate-stage development.

The Z type variation of human alpha 1-antitrypsin causes a protein folding defect

Emphysema is often associated with the Z type mutation of alpha 1-antitrypsin, which causes aggregation of the molecule in the liver and consequent plasma deficiency. The aggregation appears to be due to loop-sheet polymerization, although why the mutant protein polymerizes in vivo is unclear. Here we show that, unlike wild type antitrypsin, which folds in minutes, the folding of Z type alpha 1-antitrypsin is extremely slow. Once folded, however, the native Z protein shows substantial stability towards urea and incubation at 37 degrees C. The folding defect in Z antitrypsin leads to accumulation of an intermediate and it is the intermediate rather than the native protein which has a high tendency to aggregate.

Kinetic characterization of the proteinase binding defect in a reactive site variant of the serpin, antithrombin. Role of the P1' residue in transition-state stabilization of antithrombin-proteinase complex formation

To elucidate the role of the P1' residue of the serpin, antithrombin (AT), in proteinase inhibition, the source of the functional defect in a natural Ser-394-->Leu variant, AT-Denver, was investigated. AT-Denver inhibited thrombin, Factor IXa, plasmin, and Factor Xa with second order rate constants that were 430-, 120-, 40-, and 7-fold slower, respectively, than those of native AT, consistent with an altered specificity of the variant inhibitor for its target proteinases. AT-Denver inhibited thrombin and Factor Xa with nearly equimolar stoichiometries and formed SDS-stable complexes with these proteinases, indicating that the diminished inhibitor activity was not due to an enhanced turnover of the inhibitor as a substrate. Binding and kinetic studies showed that heparin binding to AT-Denver as well as heparin accelerations of AT-Denver-proteinase reactions were normal, consistent with the P1' mutation not affecting the heparin activation mechanism. Resolution of the two-step reaction of AT-Denver with thrombin revealed that the majority of the defective function was localized in the second reaction step and resulted from a 190-fold decreased rate constant for conversion of a noncovalent proteinase-inhibitor encounter complex to a stable, covalent complex. Little or no effects of the mutation on the binding constant for encounter complex formation or on the rate constant for stable complex dissociation were evident. These results support a role for the P1' residue of antithrombin in transition-state stabilization of a substrate-like attack of the proteinase on the inhibitor-reactive bond following the formation of a proteinase-inhibitor encounter complex but prior to the conformational change leading to the trapping of proteinase in a stable, covalent complex. Such a role indicates that the P1' residue does not contribute to thermodynamic stabilization of AT-proteinase complexes and instead favors a kinetic stabilization of these complexes by a suicide substrate reaction mechanism.

Identification of tissue-type plasminogen activator-specific plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 mutants. Evidence that second sites of interaction contribute to target specificity

Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) is the primary inhibitor of the plasminogen activators (PAs), tissue-type plasminogen activator (tPA), and urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA). A library of PAI-1 mutants containing substitutions at the P1 and P1' positions was screened for functional activity against tPA and thrombin. Several PAI-1 variants that were inactive against uPA in a previous study (Sherman, P. M., Lawrence, D. A., Yang, A. Y., Vandenberg, E. T., Paielli, D., Olson, S. T., Shore, J. D., and Ginsburg, D. (1992) J. Biol. Chem. 267, 7588-7595) had significant inhibitory activity toward tPA. This set of tPA-specific PAI-1 mutants contained a wide range of amino acid substitutions at P1 including Asn, Gln, His, Ser, Thr, Leu, Met, and all the aromatic amino acids. This group of mutants also demonstrated a spectrum of substitutions at P1'. Kinetic analyses of selected variants identified P1Tyr and P1His as the most efficient tPA-specific inhibitors, with second-order rate constants (ki) of 4.0 x 10(5) M-1s-1 and 3.6 x 10(5) M-1s-1, respectively. Additional PA-specific PAI-1 variants containing substitutions at P3 through P1' were constructed. P3Tyr-P2Ser-P1Lys-P1'Trp and P3Tyr-P2Ser-P1Tyr-P1'Met had ki values of 1.7 x 10(6) M-1s-1 and 2.5 x 10(6) M-1s-1 against tPA, respectively, but both were inactive against uPA. In contrast, P2Arg-P1Lys-P1'Ala inhibited uPA 74-fold more rapidly than tPA. The mutant PAI-1 library was also screened for inhibitory activity toward thrombin in the presence and absence of the cofactor heparin. While wild-type PAI-1 and several P1Arg variants inhibited thrombin in the absence of heparin, a number of variants were thrombin inhibitors only in the presence of heparin. These results demonstrate the importance of the reactive center residues in determining PAI-1 target specificity and suggest that second sites of interaction between inhibitors and proteases can also contribute to target specificity. Finally, the PA-specific mutants described here should provide novel reagents for dissecting the physiological role of PAI-1 both in vitro and in vivo.

Inhibitory mechanism of serpins. Interaction of thrombin with antithrombin and protease nexin 1

The mechanism for the inhibition of thrombin by the serpins antithrombin and protease nexin 1 has been investigated using several kinetic techniques at pH 7.9 and 37 degrees C with an ionic strength of 0.3 M. Rapid kinetic studies demonstrated that a two-step mechanism for the formation of the stable thrombin-serpin complex applied to both serpins. The inhibition constant for the initial thrombin-antithrombin complex was 265 microM, and the rate constant for the conversion of this complex to the final one was 3.9 s-1; the corresponding values for PN1 were 3.4 microM and 6.0 s-1. By using slow-binding kinetics, it was possible to obtain estimates of the second-order rate constants for the formation of the stable thrombin-serpin complexes (1.2 x 10(4) and 1.5 x 10(6) M-1 s-1 for antithrombin and protease nexin 1, respectively) and the dissociation constants for these complexes (< 1 nM for both serpins). The influence of viscosity on the reactions indicated that the rate of interaction of both serpins with thrombin was diffusion-controlled. Moreover, the results indicated that the initial complex reacted more rapidly to form the stable complex than it dissociated to free enzyme and inhibitor; i.e., the behavior of the serpins was analogous to that of "sticky" substrates. By using the results from slow-binding, viscosity, and rapid kinetic studies, it was possible to set values for all of the rate constants for the interactions of antithrombin and protease nexin 1 with thrombin.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Rabbit alpha-1-antiproteinase E: a novel recombinant serpin which does not inhibit proteinases

A cDNA coding for the E isoform of alpha-1-antiproteinase (also called alpha-1-antitrypsin or alpha-1-proteinase inhibitor) was isolated by oligonucleotide hybridization following immunochemical screening of the rabbit liver cDNA library. The deduced amino acid sequence of the E isoform showed 96.4% identity in 413 residues of the F and S-1 isoforms of rabbit alpha-1-antiproteinase. The N-terminal half of the amino acid residues of the three isoforms was almost identical, but the putative reactive-site loop structure (P8-P'8) was significantly different in the various forms, the P1 site of the E form being glutamic acid. Interaction of the recombinant E form with the various proteinases was investigated by SDS/PAGE, followed by immunoblot analysis. The recombinant protein and trypsin formed a 62 kDa equimolar complex, which gradually became graded to the 37 kDa fragment through several intermediates. The E form also formed a complex of a similar size with elastase and became degraded to the 31 kDa fragment. Several proteinases which cleaved the E form without forming a detectable complex on SDS/PAGE are chymotrypsin, protease V8, pancreas kallikrein, thermolysin, papain and ficin. Other proteinases, with a stringent substrate specificity, such as thrombin, factor Xa, plasmin, plasma kallikrein and cathepsin G, did not attack the E form. Unlike the F and S-1 forms of rabbit plasma alpha-1-antiproteinase, the recombinant E form did not inhibit the amidolytic and proteolytic activities of trypsin. Neither elastase nor protease V8 was inhibited by the E form. Thus the change in the amino acid residues in the reactive-site loop, probably in the P1 site, is responsible for the loss of inhibitory activity of rabbit alpha-1-antiproteinase E. The novel character of the E form could provide a new insight into the interaction of serpin and proteinases.

A thermostable mutation located at the hydrophobic core of alpha 1-antitrypsin suppresses the folding defect of the Z-type variant

A thermostable mutation, F51L, at the hydrophobic core of human alpha 1-antitrypsin (alpha 1AT) increased the conformational stability of the molecule by decreasing the unfolding rate significantly without altering the refolding rate. The mutation specifically influenced the transition between the native state and a compact intermediate, which retained approximately 70% of the far-UV CD signal, but which had most of the fluorescence signal already dequenched. The mutant alpha 1AT protein was more resistant than the wild-type protein to the insertion of the tetradecapeptide mimicking the sequence of the reactive center loop, indicating that the mutation increases the closing of the central beta-sheet, the A-sheet, in the native state. The F51L mutation enhanced the folding efficiency of the Z-type (E342K) genetic variation, which causes aggregation of the molecule in the liver. It has been shown previously that the aggregation of the Z protein occurs via loop-sheet polymerization, in which the reactive center loop of one molecule is inserted into the opening of the A-sheet of another molecule. Our results strongly suggest that the hydrophobic core of alpha 1AT regulates the opening-closing of the A-sheet and that certain genetic variations that cause opening of the A-sheet can be corrected by inserting an additional stable mutation into the hydrophobic core.

A serine proteinase inhibitor locus at 18q21.3 contains a tandem duplication of the human squamous cell carcinoma antigen gene

The squamous cell carcinoma antigen (SCCA) is a member of the ovalbumin family of serine proteinase inhibitors (serpins). A neutral form of the protein is found in normal and some malignant squamous cells, whereas an acidic form is detected exclusively in tumor cells and in the circulation of patients with squamous cell tumors. In this report, we describe the cloning of the SCCA gene from normal genomic DNA. Surprisingly, two genes were found. They were tandemly arrayed and flanked by two other closely related serpins, plasminogen activator inhibitor type 2 (PAI2) and maspin at 18q21.3. The genomic structure of the two genes, SCCA1 and SCCA2, was highly conserved. The predicted amino acid sequences were 92% identical and suggested that the neutral form of the protein was encoded by SCCA1 and the acidic form was encoded by SCCA2. Further characterization of the region should determine whether the differential expression of the SCCA genes plays a causal role in development of more aggressive squamous cell carcinomas.

S-ovalbumin, an ovalbumin conformer with properties analogous to those of loop-inserted serpins

Most serpins are inhibitors of serine proteinases and are thought to undergo a conformational change upon complex formation with proteinase that involves partial insertion of the reactive center loop into a beta-sheet of the inhibitor. Ovalbumin, although a serpin, is not an inhibitor of serine proteinases. It has been proposed that this deficiency arises from the presence of a charged residue, arginine, at a critical point (P14) in the reactive center region, which prevents loop insertion into the beta-sheet and thereby precludes inhibitory properties. To test whether loop insertion is prevented in ovalbumin we have examined the properties of two forms of ovalbumin: the native protein and S-ovalbumin, a form that forms spontaneously from native ovalbumin and has increased stability. Calorimetric measurements showed that S-ovalbumin was more stable than ovalbumin by about 3 kcal mol-1. CD spectra, which indicated that S-ovalbumin had less alpha-helix than native ovalbumin, and 1H NMR spectra, which indicated very similar overall structures, suggest limited conformational differences between the two forms. From comparison of the susceptibility of the reactive center region of each protein to proteolysis by porcine pancreatic elastase and by subtilisin Carlsberg, we concluded that the limited native-to-S conformational change specifically affected the reactive center region. These data are consistent with a structure for S-ovalbumin in which part of the reactive center loop has inserted into beta-sheet A to give a more stable structure, analogously to other serpins. However, the rate of loop insertion appears to be very much lower than for inhibitory serpins.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Involvement of sulfhydryl groups in the stable fluorescent derivatization of proteins by o-phthalaldehyde

Treatment of human alpha-1-proteinase inhibitor (alpha-1-PI) with o-phthalaldehyde (OPA) at pH 8.0 and 25 degrees C, in the absence of added thiol resulted in the formation of a mixed population of fluorescent and non-fluorescent isoindoles. The stoichiometry of isoindole formation was tentatively calculated to be 6:1 for unreduced alpha-1-PI and 10:1 for inhibitor treated with dithioerythritol, implicating not only cysteine but also non-sulfur nucleophilic centres as reaction partners. Despite the apparent involvement of the single cysteine residue in alpha-1-PI in the over-all derivatization process, the extent of fluorescent derivatization was independent of the redox state of the inhibitor. Hence the fluorescing moiety was not a 1-alkylthio-2-alkyl-substituted isoindole, as generally observed. The finding that isoindole formation in proteins is not limited by sulfhydryl content and that fluorescent products may originate from amino acid(s) other than cysteine cautions against interpreting fluorescent derivatization by OPA as evidence for cross-linking of lysine to cysteine residues.

Refolding of alpha 1-antitrypsin expressed as inclusion bodies in Escherichia coli: characterization of aggregation

Recombinant alpha 1-antitrypsin (alpha 1AT) produced as inclusion bodies in Escherichia coli was purified via several steps including solubilization of the inclusion bodies in 8 M urea and refolding by direct dilution of denaturant, followed by ion-exchange chromatography. The purified recombinant alpha 1AT has an activity comparable to human plasma alpha 1AT. During refolding, prolonged incubation of the alpha 1AT polypeptides at intermediate urea concentration favored production of inactive but soluble aggregates, which could regain activity after denaturation and renaturation. Nondenaturing polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of the aggregates revealed the existence of dimers and higher oligomers. Immunological approach to characterize conformation showed that the oligomers were distinct from the native, the cleaved, or the denatured form, but was similar to the polymers induced from the native structure in mild denaturing condition. These results suggest that the oligomers are formed through specific interactions between aggregation-competent species which are stabilized at intermediate denaturant concentration.

Preparation and characterization of latent alpha 1-antitrypsin

Members of the serine proteinase inhibitor or serpin superfamily have a common molecular architecture based on a dominant five-membered A beta-pleated sheet and a mobile reactive center loop. The reactive center loop has been shown to adopt a range of conformations from the three turn alpha-helix of ovalbumin to the cleaved or latent inhibitor in which the reactive center loop is fully inserted into the A sheet of the molecule. While the cleaved state can be achieved in all inhibitory serpins only plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 and, more recently, antithrombin have been shown to adopt the latent conformation. We show here that the archetypal serpin, alpha 1-antitrypsin, can also be induced to adopt the latent conformation by heating at high temperatures in 0.7 M citrate for 12 h. The resulting species elutes at a lower sodium chloride concentration on an anion-exchange column and has a more cathodal electrophoretic mobility on non-denaturing polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and isoelectric focusing than native M antitrypsin. Latent antitrypsin is inactive as an inhibitor of bovine alpha-chymotrypsin, is stable to unfolding with 8 M urea, and is more resistant to heat-induced loop-sheet polymerization than native but less resistant than cleaved antitrypsin. The reactive center loop of latent antitrypsin is inaccessible to proteolytic cleavage, and its occupancy of the A sheet prevents the molecule accepting an exogenous reactive center loop peptide. The activity of latent antitrypsin may be increased from < 1% to approximately 35% by refolding from 6 M guanidinium chloride.

A fluorescent probe study of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1. Evidence for reactive center loop insertion and its role in the inhibitory mechanism

A mutant recombinant plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAI-1) was created (Ser-338-->Cys) in which cysteine was placed at the P9 position of the reactive center loop. Labeling this mutant with N,N'-dimethyl-N-(acetyl)-N'-(7-nitrobenz-2-oxa-1,3-diazol-4-yl) ethylene diamine (NBD) provided a molecule with a fluorescent probe at that position. The NBD-labeled mutant was almost as reactive as wild type but was considerably more stable. Complex formation with tissue or urokinase type plasminogen activator (tPA or uPA), and cleavage between P3 and P4 with a catalytic concentration of elastase, all resulted in identical 13-nm blue shifts of the peak fluorescence emission wavelength and 6.2-fold fluorescence enhancements. Formation of latent PAI showed the same 13-nm spectral shift with a 6.7-fold fluorescence emission increase, indicating that the NBD probe is in a slightly more hydrophobic milieu. These changes can be attributed to insertion of the reactive center loop into the beta sheet A of the inhibitor in a manner that exposes the NBD probe to a more hydrophobic milieu. The rate of loop insertion due to tPA complexation was followed using stopped flow fluorimetry. This rate showed a hyperbolic dependence on tPA concentration, with a half-saturation concentration of 0.96 microM and a maximum rate constant of 3.4 s-1. These results demonstrate experimentally that complexation with proteases is presumably associated with loop insertion. The identical fluorescence changes obtained with tPa.PAI-1 and uPA.PAI-1 complexes and elastase-cleaved PAI-1 strongly suggest that in the stable protease-PAI-1 complex the reactive center loop is cleaved and inserted into beta sheet A and that this process is central to the inhibition mechanism.

Antithrombins Southport (Leu 99 to Val) and Vienna (Gln 118 to Pro): two novel antithrombin variants with abnormal heparin binding

We report the characterization of three variant antithrombins with reduced heparin binding as the primary abnormality. Two of these variants, antithrombin Southport (Leu 99 to Val, 2759 C to G) and antithrombin Vienna (Gln 118 to Pro, 5349 A to C) were novel, whereas the third, Pro 41 to Leu, has been previously described as antithrombin Basel. All three variants exhibited reduced binding for heparin on crossed immunoelectrophoresis and in a quantitative monoclonal antibody-based assay. The mutations were characterized by direct sequence analysis of enzymatically amplified genomic DNA and all affected individuals were heterozygous for the mutations. These three mutations do not occur at the sites of the basic amino acids directly involved in heparin binding nor do they result in a change in charge of the affected residue. It seems probable that they reduce heparin affinity either by perturbing the initial contact site involved in the heparin-binding domain (Arg 47, Arg 129 and possibly Arg 24), or by preventing the subsequent heparin-induced conformational change.

Antithrombin-TRI (Ala382 to Thr) causing severe thromboembolic tendency undergoes the S-to-R transition and is associated with a plasma-inactive high-molecular-weight complex of aggregated antithrombin

An antithrombin (AT) variant Ala382 to Thr (AT-TRI) was identified by mass spectrometric techniques. The variant behaved as a substrate rather than a thrombin inhibitor, but, contrary to previously described P12 AT variants, AT-TRI, expressed as a heterozygous dominant trait, caused severe thromboembolic tendency beginning in their teens in affected members of an English family. In addition, it underwent the S-to-R conformational state transition as evidenced by an increased resistance to thermal denaturation on active centre cleavage, but did not react with a monoclonal antibody, 4C9, directed against a neoepitope that is present on complexed and cleaved normal AT. Antithrombin-TRI, in plasma, was also associated with an abnormal high molecular weight (M(r)) 194,000) component composed of non-covalently-linked antithrombin molecules. This component (D194) showed low affinity for heparin and was devoid of antithrombin progressive activity. D194, isolated by ammonium sulphate precipitation and three chromatographic steps (heparin Sepharose, ion exchange and immunoaffinity), migrated as a single band of M(r) 60,000 on SDS-PAGE under both reducing and non-reducing conditions and was recognized by monospecific anti-human antithrombin antibodies, but did not immunoreact with antibodies raised against a number of proteins including albumin and thrombin. The above data and the fact that the 15 N-terminal amino acids of this M(r) 60,000 band were identical to that of normal antithrombin indicated that the inactive D194 component was composed of aggregated antithrombin molecules, possibly antithrombin trimers. In conclusion, early adulthood severe thromboembolic tendency, failure to expose the 4C9 epitope, and presence of aggregated AT molecules in the plasma are characteristic features of AT-TRI not previously described in other ALA-382 THR mutations.

Limited proteolysis of alpha 1-proteinase inhibitor (alpha 1-PI) in acute leukemia: studies on the resulting fragments and implication for the structure of the inactivated inhibitor

In patients with acute myeloid leukemia, a 41 kDa glycoprotein appears in the urine during remission induction chemotherapy. We have recently reported on the isolation and preliminary characterization of this protein and the generation of specific monoclonal antibodies which showed that it is a proteolytically modified form of alpha 1-proteinase inhibitor (Dengler et al., 1992, Biol. Chem. Hoppe-Seyler 373, 581-588). In the paper presented here, results from further characterization experiments as well as from studies on the effects of proteolysis on the conformation and the resulting functional properties of the truncated inhibitor are reported. N-terminal amino acid sequence analysis showed that proteolysis has occurred in the N-terminal part as well as in the reactive site loop of alpha 1-PI. The resulting core protein of 41 kDa is composed of approximately 324 amino acid residues with the C-terminus located close to Lys343 of alpha 1-PI.A 4 kDa peptide remaining bound to this fragment throughout the entire purification procedure could be separated by SDS treatment. N- and C-terminal sequence analysis of this peptide after isolation by gel filtration showed that it is comprised of residues Ile359 up to Lys394, thus representing the peptide located C-terminal to the reactive site loop of alpha 1-PI. Transverse urea gradient gel electrophoresis indicates that the proteolyzed inhibitor is in the thermodynamically stable, relaxed (R)-conformation known for proteinase-complexed and cleaved serpins. The truncated inhibitor exhibits no chemotactic activity towards neutrophils when tested in a standard assay.

COOH-terminal substitutions in the serpin C1 inhibitor that cause loop overinsertion and subsequent multimerization

The region COOH-terminal to the reactive center loop is highly conserved in the serine protease inhibitor (serpin) family. We have studied the structural consequences of three substitutions (Val451-->Met, Phe455-->Ser, and Pro476-->Ser) found in this region of C1 inhibitor in patients suffering from hereditary angioedema. Equivalent substitutions have been described in alpha 1-antitrypsin and antithrombin III. The mutant C1 inhibitor proteins were only partially secreted upon transient transfection into COS-7 cells and were found to be dysfunctional. Immunoprecipitation of conditioned media demonstrated that in the intact, uncleaved form they all bind to a monoclonal antibody which recognizes specifically the protease-complexed or reactive center-cleaved normal C1 inhibitor. A second indication for an intrinsic conformational change was the increased thermostability compared to the normal protein. Furthermore, gel filtration studies showed that the Val451-->Met and Pro476-->Ser mutant proteins, and to a lesser extent Phe455-->Ser, were prone to spontaneous multimerization. Finally, a reduced susceptibility to reactive center cleavage by trypsin was observed for all three mutants, and the cleaved Val451-->Met and Pro476-->Ser mutants failed to adopt the conformation recognized by a cleavage-specific monoclonal antibody. Investigation of plasmas of patients with the Val451-->Met or Pro476-->Ser substitutions showed that these dysfunctional proteins circulate at low levels and are recognized by the complex-specific antibody. These results strongly indicate a conformational change as a result of these carboxylterminal substitutions, such that anchoring of the reactive center loop at the COOH-terminal side is not achieved properly. We propose that this results in overinsertion of the loop into beta-sheet A, which subsequently leads to multimerization.

What do dysfunctional serpins tell us about molecular mobility and disease?

Proteinase inhibitors of the serpin family have a unique ability to regulate their activity by changing the conformation of their reactive-centre loop. Although this may explain their evolutionary success, the dependence of function on structural mobility makes the serpins vulnerable to the effects of mutations. Here, we describe how studies of dysfunctional variants, together with crystal structures of serpins in different forms, provide insights into the molecular functions and remarkable folding properties of this family. In particular, comparisons of variants affecting different serpins allow us to define the domains which control this folding and show how spontaneous but inappropriate changes in conformation cause diverse diseases.

Crucial residues in the carboxy-terminal end of C1 inhibitor revealed by pathogenic mutants impaired in secretion or function

The last exon of the C1-1NH gene was screened for point mutations in 36 unrelated hereditary angioedema patients. Mutations were found in eight patients, predicting changes in the short COOH-terminal region which anchors the reactive site loop on its COOH-terminal side. The effects of each of these mutations were examined in transiently transfected Cos-7 cells. Complete intracellular retention or degradation was observed with substitutions in the COOH-terminal strands 4B or 5B: Leu459-->Pro, Leu459-->Arg, and Pro467-->Arg were all blocked at early stages of intracellular transport, but differences in the immunofluorescence patterns indicated that a significant fraction of the Leu459-->Pro and of the Pro467-->Arg proteins reached a compartment distinct from the endoplasmic reticulum. In line with previous findings with alpha 1-antitrypsin, chain termination within strand 5B resulted in rapid degradation. Mutant Val451-->Met, in strand 1C, and mutant Pro476-->Ser, replacing the invariant proline near the COOH terminus, yielded reduced secretion, but these extracellular proteins were unable to bind the target protease C1s. Presence of low levels of both dysfunctional proteins in patient plasmas defies the conventional classification of C1 inhibitor deficiencies as type I or type II. These data point to a key role of certain residues in the conserved COOH-terminal region of serpins in determining the protein foldings compatible with transport and proper exposure of the reactive site loop.

Identification of defensin binding to C1 complement

In human serum we found strong defensin binding to the complexes of activated C1 complement (C1) and C1 inhibitor (C1i). Purified C1q, activated C1 tetramer (r2s2) and C1i did not bind defensin. When r2s2 was dissociated by EDTA, only the activated C1s (C1s) bound defensin. Binding of defensins to C1 complement represents a newly recognized bridge between the complement- and phagocyte-mediated host defenses, and a potential mechanism for protecting infected tissue from cytotoxic injury by defensin.

Isolation and characterization of circulating complex between human pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A and proform of eosinophil major basic protein

The plasma protein previously known as pregnancy associated plasma protein-A (PAPP-A) and believed to contain only one kind of polypeptide chain has recently been shown to be a complex containing two different chains in equimolar amounts. One of the chains is now defined as the PAPP-A subunit, and the other has been identified as the proform of eosinophil major basic protein (proMBP) (Oxvig et al. (1993) J. Biol. Chem. 268, 12243-12246). A procedure for large scale preparation of the circulating complex (PAPP-A/proMBP) from pooled pregnancy serum is described. The amino acid and carbohydrate compositions of the isolated reduced and carboxymethylated PAPP-A (199 kDa) and proMBP subunits (38 kDa), and of the intact PAPP-A/proMBP have been determined. The PAPP-A and proMBP subunits contain 13.4% (w/w) and 38.6% (w/w) carbohydrate, respectively, and the intact complex contains 17.4% (w/w) carbohydrate. The PAPP-A subunit contains N-bound carbohydrate groups. In contrast, the proMBP subunit contains both N- and O-bound groups as well as glycosaminoglycan, previously found among plasma proteins only in inter-alpha-trypsin inhibitor and pre-alpha-trypsin inhibitor. It is shown that PAPP-A/proMBP can competitively inhibit human leucocyte elastase (KI = (5-10) x 10(-9) M) at an ionic strength of 0.075, but the inhibition is negligible at ionic strengths greater than 0.15. Human cathepsin G is also competitively inhibited (KI approx. 1 x 10(-6) M). The inhibition of both enzymes is most likely due to interactions with the glycosaminoglycan moiety of PAPP-A/proMBP. It is concluded that PAPP-A/proMBP is neither a potent nor a specific inhibitor of human leucocyte elastase.

Thromboembolic disease due to thermolabile conformational changes of antithrombin Rouen-VI (187 Asn-->Asp)

A new variant of antithrombin (Rouen-VI, 187 Asn-->Asp) with increased heparin affinity was shown to have normal inhibitory activity which decreased slowly at 4 degrees C and rapidly at 41 degrees C. On electrophoresis the freshly isolated variant had an anodal shift relative to native antithrombin due to the mutation. A further anodal transition occurred after either prolonged storage at 4 degrees C or incubation at 41 degrees C due to the formation of a new inactive uncleaved component with properties characteristic of L-form (latent) antithrombin. At the same time, polymerization also occurred with a predominance of di-, tri-, and tetra-mers. These findings fit with the observed mutation of the conserved asparagine (187) in the F-helix destabilizing the underlying A-sheet of the molecule. Evidence of A-sheet perturbation is provided by the increased rate of peptide insertion into the A-sheet and by the decreased vulnerability of the reactive loop to proteolysis. The spontaneous formation of both L-antithrombin and polymers is consistent with our crystal structure of intact antithrombin where L-form and active antithrombin are linked together as dimers. The nature of this linkage favors a mechanism of polymerization whereby the opening of the A-sheet, to give incorporation of the reactive center loop, is accompanied by the bonding of the loop of one molecule to the C-sheet of the next. The accelerated lability of antithrombin Rouen-VI at 41 versus 37 degrees C provides an explanation for the clinical observation that episodes of thrombosis were preceded by unrelated pyrexias.

Conformational changes in serpins and the mechanism of alpha 1-antitrypsin deficiency

alpha 1-Antitrypsin is a member of the serine proteinase inhibitor, serpin, family of protease inhibitors, which have their reactive centers situated on a mobile peptide loop. This reactive loop can adopt varied conformations and perturbations of molecular structure to allow the pathological linking of the loop of one molecule to a beta-pleated sheet of another. This linkage has been shown to be the cause of the polymerization and aggregation within the hepatocyte of the common Z mutant of antitrypsin. The occurrence of loop-sheet polymerization has been confirmed with other deficiency variants of antitrypsin that accumulate in the liver (Mmalton, Siiyama) and also shown to occur in pathological mutants of C1-inhibitor and antithrombin. Deductive evidence indicates that the loop is inserted into the A-sheet of the next molecule, but recent structural findings raise the possibility of insertion into the C-sheet. This detail of loop-sheet polymerization is important for the design of strategies to interfere with insertion and hence lesson the accumulation of Z antitrypsin that is responsible for associated liver damage.

Three novel mutations of antithrombin inducing high-molecular-mass compounds

We have identified three novel mutations of the antithrombin (AT) gene in patients with thrombotic complications: a Cys 128 --> Tyr mutations, a G --> A mutation in the intervening sequence 4 (IVS4) 14 nucleotide 5' to exon 5, and a 9 bp deletion in the 3' end of exon 6 resulting in a short aberrant sequence after Arg 425. The latter mutation was associated with an Arg 47 --> His mutation in two compound heterozygous brothers. These three mutations led to the expression in the circulation of small amounts of inactive molecules with a high molecular mass in immunoblot analysis. In reducing conditions, these variant molecules had a normal molecular mass, which led us to postulate that these mutations prevent the formation of one intramolecular disulfide bond and allow the formation of intermolecular disulfide bonds. Plasma from a heterozygous patients bearing the Cys 128 --> Tyr mutation and from a compound heterozygote bearing the Arg 47 --> His mutation and the 9 bp deletion in exon 6 were passed through a heparin-sepharose column. In both cases a population of high-molecular-weight AT molecules with no binding affinity and no AT activity was separated from a population of normal molecules in the first patient, together with a population of molecules with a reduced binding affinity for heparin due to the substitution of Arg 47, in the compound heterozygote. The common feature of these three mutations is that they lead to partial misfolding and to the formation of intermolecular disulfide bonds with other plasma components, inducing the pleiotropic phenotypes observed.

A phenylalanine 402 to leucine mutation is responsible for a stable inactive conformation of antithrombin

In a South African family with antithrombin deficiency and unexplained thrombosis, genomic DNA analysis revealed a substitution of Phe 402 by Leu. This mutation involves an amino acid located in the carboxyterminal side of the antithrombin reactive loop and has already been observed in a French family (antithrombin Maisons-Laffitte). In both cases, the expression of the mutation is pleiotropic, i.e. results in a reduction in the circulating concentration of antithrombin and impairs both its anti-thrombin activity and its ability to bind heparin. The effect of a denaturing agent (sodium dodecyl sulfate) on the recognition of the plasma antithrombin by a polyclonal antibody was studied in an immuno-enzymatic assay. The Phe to Leu mutation decreased the sensitivity to denaturation, suggesting that the mutation increases the stability of the protein. Whether this stable conformation is due to a partial insertion of the amino-terminal side of the reactive loop, which would explain how both protease binding and heparin binding are affected, remains to be determined.