Purification and characterization of an inhibitor of the cysteine protease from the hemolymph of Sarcophaga peregrina larvae

Transgenic Expression of a Viral Cystatin Gene CpBV-CST1 in Tobacco Confers Insect Resistance

A viral gene, CpBV-CST1, was identified from a polydnavirus Cotesia plutellae bracovirus (CpBV). Its protein product was significantly toxic to lepidopteran insects. This study generated a transgenic tobacco plant expressing CpBV-CST1 Expression of transgene CpBV-CST1 was confirmed in T1 generation (second generation after transgenesis) in both mRNA and protein levels. Young larvae of Spodoptera exigua (Hübner) suffered high mortalities after feeding on transgenic tobacco. All 10 T1 transgenic tobacco plants had no significant variation in speed-to-kill. In order to further explore insect resistance of these transgenic tobaccos, bioassays were performed by assessing antixenosis and antibiosis. S. exigua larvae significantly avoided T1 plants in a choice test. Larvae fed with T1 plant exhibited significant decrease in protease activity in the midgut due to consuming CpBV-CST1 protein produced by the transgenic plant. Furthermore, the transgenic tobacco exhibited similar insect resistance to other tobacco-infesting insects, including a leaf-feeding insect, Helicoverpa assulta, and a sap-feeding insect, Myzus persicae These results demonstrate that a viral cystatin gene can be used to develop insect-resistant transgenic plant, suggesting a prospective possibility of expanding the current transgenic approach to high-valued crops.

Identification and characterization of the cysteine protease inhibitor gene MdCPI from Musca domestica

Cysteine proteinase inhibitors (CPIs) are involved in many vital cellular processes such as signalling pathways, apoptosis, immune response and development; however, no CPIs have yet been reported from the housefly Musca domestica. Here we report the isolation and characterization of a housefly CPI gene designated MdCPI. The gene contains an open reading frame of 357 bp encoding a protein of 118 amino acid residues with a putative signal peptide of 17 amino acid residues. Protein alignment demonstrated a high homology to that of Sarcophaga crassipalpis (identity = 51%). Phylogenetic analysis suggested that all CPIs from dipterans, including the housefly, belong to the I25A family and may be descended from a single common ancestor. The gene was expressed in and purified from Escherichia coli. Biochemical studies showed that MdCPI exerts an inhibiting function on papain, which is a classical assay to confirm CPIs. Real-time quantitative PCR and immunolocalization analysis revealed that MdCPI is specifically expressed in haemocytes and fat bodies. It is highly down-regulated in larvae and markedly up-regulated in the pupal stage, suggesting that it may be related to development.

Molecular cloning of a multidomain cysteine protease and protease inhibitor precursor gene from the tobacco hornworm (Manduca sexta) and functional expression of the cathepsin F-like cysteine protease domain

A Manduca sexta (tobacco hornworm) cysteine protease inhibitor, MsCPI, purified from larval hemolymph has an apparent molecular mass of 11.5 kDa, whereas the size of the mRNA is very large (∼9 kilobases). MsCPI cDNA consists of a 9,273 nucleotides that encode a polypeptide of 2,676 amino acids, which includes nine tandemly repeated MsCPI domains, four cystatin-like domains and one procathepsin F-like domain. The procathepsin F-like domain protein was expressed in Escherichia coli and processed to its active mature form by incubation with pepsin. The mature enzyme hydrolyzed Z-Leu-Arg-MCA, Z-Phe-Arg-MCA and Boc-Val-Leu-Lys-MCA rapidly, whereas hydrolysis of Suc-Leu-Tyr-MCA and Z-Arg-Arg-MCA was very slow. The protease was strongly inhibited by MsCPI, egg-white cystatin and sunflower cystatin with K(i) values in the nanomolar range. When the MsCPI tandem protein linked to two MsCPI domains was treated with proteases, it was degraded by the cathepsin F-like protease. However, tryptic digestion converted the MsCPI tandem protein to an active inhibitory form. These data support the hypothesis that the mature MsCPI protein is produced from the MsCPI precursor protein by trypsin-like proteases. The resulting mature MsCPI protein probably plays a role in the regulation of the activity of endogenous cysteine proteases.

Drosophila CTLA-2-like protein (D/CTLA-2) inhibits cysteine proteinase 1 (CP1), a cathepsin L-like enzyme

In this study, we present a propeptide-like cysteine proteinase inhibitor, Drosophila CTLA-2-like protein (D/CTLA-2), a CG10460 (crammer) gene product, with an amino acid sequence significantly similar to the proregion of Drosophila cysteine proteinase 1 (CP1). Recombinant D/CTLA-2, expressed in E. coli, strongly inhibited Bombyx cysteine proteinase (BCP) with a Ki value of 4.7 nM. It also inhibited cathepsins L and H with Ki values of 3.9 (human liver) and 0.43 (rabbit liver) nM, and 7.8 nM (human liver), respectively. Recombinant D/CTLA-2 exhibited low but significant inhibitory activities to cathepsin B with Ki values of 15 nM (human liver) and 110 nM (rat liver), but hardly inhibited papain. We attempted to purify cysteine proteinases inhibited by D/CTLA-2 from total bodies of adult Drosophila. Recombinant D/CTLA-2 significantly inhibited CP1 with a Ki value of 12 nM, indicating that CP1, a cognate enzyme of D/CTLA-2, is a target enzyme of the inhibitor in Drosophila cells. These results indicate that D/CTLA-2 is a selective inhibitor of cathepsin L-like cysteine proteinases similar to other propeptide-like cysteine proteinase inhibitors such as Bombyx cysteine proteinase inhibitors (BCPI) and cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen-2 (CTLA-2). D/CTLA-2 was expressed over the whole life cycle of Drosophila. Strong expression was observed in the garland cells and prothoracic gland in the late stages of embryonic development. These results suggest that D/CTLA-2, implicated in intra- and extra-cellular digestive processes, functions in these tissues by suppressing uncontrolled enzymatic activities of CP1.

Purification of a cysteine protease inhibitor from larval hemolymph of the tobacco hornworm (Manduca sexta) and functional expression of the recombinant protein

A cysteine protease inhibitor (CPI) with an apparent molecular mass of 11.5kDa was purified from larval hemolymph of the tobacco hornworm (Manduca sexta) by gel filtration on Sephadex G-50 followed by hydrophobic and ion-exchange column chromatographies. The purified cysteine proteinase inhibitor, denoted as MsCPI, strongly inhibited the plant cysteine protease, papain, with a K(i) value of 5.5 x 10(-9)M. Nucleotide sequence analysis of a partial cDNA encoding MsCPI indicated that MsCPI consists of 105 amino acid residues in a sequence that is similar to sarcocystatin A from Sarcophaga peregrina. However, northern blotting and PCR analyses using the specific primers of MsCPI suggested that the mRNA encoding MsCPI had a size of more than 12 kilobases, which included at least six tandemly repeated MsCPI segments. MsCPI was expressed in Escherichia coli and the recombinant protein effectively inhibited cysteine proteases from plants as well as from animals such as cathepsins B (K(i), 6.8 nM), H (3.0 nM), and L (0.87 nM). There was no inhibition exhibited toward trypsin, chymotrypsin, subtilisin, pepsin or themolysin.

Cloning and characterization of protease inhibitor-like cDNAs from the Hessian fly mayetiola destructor (SAY)

Analysis of transcriptomes from the salivary glands and midgut of Hessian fly larvae Mayetiola destructor (say) identified a set of diverse cDNAs that encode proteins with a relatively high percentage (over 10%) of cysteinyl residues. Structural comparison of these putative proteins with known sequences in GenBank revealed that the positions of the cysteinyl residues in the identified proteins were highly conserved within a family of proteinase inhibitors despite very little overall sequence similarity. Phylogenetic analysis sorted this set of cDNAs into five different groups. To determine if these cDNAs indeed encode proteinase inhibitors, recombinant proteins were generated with two cDNAs from two different groups. Biochemical analysis of the recombinant proteins against commercial and insect gut proteinases demonstrated that the recombinant proteins are strong proteinase inhibitors with different specificities. Northern blot and real-time PCR analysis revealed that the different genes were expressed at different developmental stages and in different tissues. The overall results indicated that M. destructor contains a complex of genes that code for proteinase inhibitors which may regulate proteinase activities in different regulatory pathways. The GenBank accession numbers for the cDNAs in this paper were DQ232690 to DQ232718.

A virus essential for insect host-parasite interactions encodes cystatins

Cotesia congregata is a parasitoid wasp that injects its eggs in the host caterpillar Manduca sexta. In this host-parasite interaction, successful parasitism is ensured by a third partner: a bracovirus. The relationship between parasitic wasps and bracoviruses constitutes one of the few known mutualisms between viruses and eukaryotes. The C. congregata bracovirus (CcBV) is injected at the same time as the wasp eggs in the host hemolymph. Expression of viral genes alters the caterpillar's immune defense responses and developmental program, resulting in the creation of a favorable environment for the survival and emergence of adult parasitoid wasps. Here, we describe the characterization of a CcBV multigene family which is highly expressed during parasitism and which encodes three proteins with homology to members of the cystatin superfamily. Cystatins are tightly binding, reversible inhibitors of cysteine proteases. Other cysteine protease inhibitors have been described for lepidopteran viruses; however, this is the first description of the presence of cystatins in a viral genome. The expression and purification of a recombinant form of one of the CcBV cystatins, cystatin 1, revealed that this viral cystatin is functional having potent inhibitory activity towards the cysteine proteases papain, human cathepsins L and B and Sarcophaga cathepsin B in assays in vitro. CcBV cystatins are, therefore, likely to play a role in host caterpillar physiological deregulation by inhibiting host target proteases in the course of the host-parasite interaction.

The hemolymph proteome of Anopheles gambiae

We used two-dimensional SDS-PAGE and microsequencing or peptide mass fingerprinting to identify major proteins in the hemolymph of Anopheles gambiae. We found approximately 280 protein spots in hemolymph and identified 28 spots, representing 26 individual proteins. Most of these proteins have known or predicted functions in immunity, iron transport, or lipid biology. Many of the proteins have been found in hemolymph in other insects but one protein is novel: a new member of the ML family (involved in lipid recognition). Three of the identified proteins increased in spot intensity or appeared de novo following bacterial injection: a phenoloxidase, and two chitinase-like proteins. A subset of proteins decreased following bacterial injections: these included the light and heavy chains of ferritin. Several proteins appeared in hemolymph following any wound or injection. Most of these are metabolic enzymes lacking signal peptides that are likely to be released as a result of damage to muscles and other tissues by injury. The map will provide a useful tool for examining changes in hemolymph proteins following blood feeding and infection by parasites.

Protein purification, cDNA cloning and characterization of a protease inhibitor from the Indian tasar silkworm, Antheraea mylitta

An inhibitor of Aspergillus oryzae fungal protease was purified to homogeneity from the hemolymph of fifth instar larvae of Antheraea mylitta by ammonium sulfate precipitation, anion exchange and gel filtration (FPLC) chromatography, and termed as AmFPI-1. The extent of purification was checked by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis, and the molecular weight of purified inhibitor was determined by SDS-PAGE as 10.4 kDa. Fifteen N-terminal amino acid sequences of this protein were determined, and degenerate oligonucleotides were synthesized on the basis of these sequences. A cDNA library of A. mylitta integument was constructed, and protease inhibitor cDNA was partially amplified by PCR using degenerate oligonucleotides and CDS primers. A full-length inhibitor cDNA clone obtained by screening the library with PCR amplified DNA as probe was sequenced. The cDNA consists of 543 nucleotides with an ORF of 315 bp and encodes a protein of 105 amino acids. The sequence exhibits similarity to several Bombyx mori ESTs, and in particular to N-terminal amino acid sequence of an inducible serine protease inhibitor (ISPI-1) from Galleria mellonella indicating its relatedness to ISPI-1 of G. mellonella. The presence of this protease inhibitor in the hemolymph may play an important role as a natural defense system against invading microorganisms.

Proteomics in Drosophila melanogaster: first 2D database of larval hemolymph proteins

A proteomic approach was used for the identification of larval hemolymph proteins of Drosophila melanogaster. We report the initial establishment of a two-dimensional gel electrophoresis reference map for hemolymph proteins of third instar larvae of D. melanogaster. We used immobilized pH gradients of pH 4-7 (linear) and a 12-14% linear gradient polyacrylamide gel. The protein spots were silver-stained and analyzed by nanoLC-Q-Tof MS/MS (on-line nanoscale liquid chromatography quadrupole time of flight tandem mass spectrometry) or by Matrix assisted laser desorption time of flight MS (MALDI-TOF MS). Querying the SWISSPROT database with the mass spectrometric data yielded the identity of the proteins in the spots. The presented proteome map lists those protein spots identified to date. This map will be updated continuously and will serve as a reference database for investigators, studying changes at the protein level in different physiological conditions.

Mamestra configurata serpin-1 homologues: cloning, localization and developmental regulation

A screen of a Mamestra configurata (bertha armyworm) midgut cDNA library identified three types of cDNA clones that resemble the Manduca sexta serpin-1 gene family. Two serpins, 1b and 1c, possess a common conserved serpin amino terminal scaffold domain but bear no similarity to any members of the M. sexta gene family within the reactive centre loop. These serpins differ from one another by only two amino acids in the reactive centre loop (S(363)-->P) and serpin signature (M(369)-->T) regions. The other member, denoted serpin-1a, is closely related to the M. sexta serpin-1Z. M. configurata serpins as a group were expressed in all insect developmental stages including eggs, larvae and adult moths. Within larvae, serpin gene expression was restricted to the early to middle instar developmental phase and mainly in the fat body and hemocytes. Stress imposed by starvation strongly induced expression in fat body and to a lesser degree in alimentary organs, nervous system and Malphigian tubules. Conversely, starvation decreased expression in hemocytes. Wounding or inoculation with bacteria did not induce serpin gene transcription but did lead to the formation of higher and lower molecular weight forms, presumably serpin-protease complexes and resultant truncated serpin, respectively. Two dimensional PAGE and western blotting analysis revealed at least 12 distinct serpins consisting primarily of neutral, but also highly acidic and basic isoforms, as well as additional high and low molecular weight immuno-reactive species. Serpins-1b/1c are the more prominent serpin isoforms and are expressed predominantly in the fat body and subsequently exported to the hemolymph as revealed by western blotting and immunolocalization. The serpin-1b/1c isoform was found only as the fully glycosylated species within the hemolymph. Hemolymph protease activity was comprised mostly of serine proteases whose overall activity increased dramatically at the onset of the molt concomitant with a sharp decline in serpin gene expression.

Changes in cysteine protease activity and localization during midgut metamorphosis in the crucifer root maggot (Delia radicum)

We show that differential localization and/or activation of two cysteine protease activities occur at the onset of dipteran midgut metamorphosis. A 26 kDa cysteine protease activity was associated specifically with midgut tissues of late third instar larvae. Starvation of mid third instar larvae simulated the onset of prepupation and resulted in loss of the 26 kDa protease activity. A cDNA clone encoding a cysteine protease, termed DrCP1, was isolated and shown to be highly similar to those from Sarcophaga peregrina and Drosophila melanogaster (DmCP1). DrCP1 mRNA was present in all developmental stages including eggs, larvae, pupae and adults, but was highly induced at the onset of the larval-pupal transition and thereafter. The DrCP1 protein is localized to the exterior of the midgut tissues during the onset of the prepupal transition period, possibly in response to ecdysone. Analysis of transcription factor binding sites associated with the DmCP1 promoter indicated that elements exist that allow for both ecdysone-mediated as well as tissue-specific regulation. Based upon these and other studies we propose: (1) that the expression, activity and localization of the DrCP1-like cysteine proteases are highly regulated throughout development; and, (2) that cysteine protease activities are involved in aspects of tissue reconstruction at the onset of and during metamorphosis.

Genes encoding two cystatins in the flesh fly Sarcophaga crassipalpis and their distinct expression patterns in relation to pupal diapause

Two genes encoding cystatins, cysteine proteinase inhibitors, were cloned from the flesh fly Sarcophaga crassipalpis. One, sarcocystatin A (abbreviated Scys-A and SCYS-A for the gene and protein, respectively) was previously cloned from Sarcophaga peregrina, but the other is novel. Here the novel gene is named sarcocystatin B (abbreviated Scys-B and SCYS-B for the gene and protein, respectively). Tissue distribution of the two sarcocystatins differs: the fat body is the major site of Scys-A expression, while Scys-B is present in both the fat body and gut. Both Scys-A and -B are developmentally regulated, but their expression patterns also differ. Scys-A transcripts are present in both diapause- and non-diapause-destined third instar wandering larvae, and are then downregulated throughout pupal diapause. By contrast, Scys-B transcripts are only weakly expressed during the third larval instar but are highly upregulated in early diapause. The upregulation of Scys-B in early diapause suggests a possible role for this proteinase inhibitor in halting development.

Synthesis and resorption of a humoral chymotrypsin inhibitor, CI-8, by fat body of the silkworm, Bombyx mori

The Bombyx mori hemolymph contains up to 16 chymotrypsin inhibitors (CIs). The present in vitro culture of tissues in Grace's medium indicated that CI-8, which belongs to the largest molecular-size group of CIs with sugar moiety, is synthesized in the fat body and secreted from it during the feeding period. When the fat body from other strain which synthesizes an allelic component (CI-7) instead of CI-8 was incubated in vitro in hemolymph from the strain which has CI-8, the fat body was found to receive CI-8. Thus it was concluded that CI-8, once secreted into the hemolymph, was again sequestered into the fat body after the onset of spinning. Protein granules isolated from the pupal fat body were shown to contain CI-8, indicating that the sequestered CI-8 is present in the protein granules.

Purification and characterization of Bombyx cysteine proteinase specific inhibitors from the hemolymph of Bombyx mori

Protein inhibitors capable of inhibiting BCP (Bombyx cysteine proteinase) were found in the larval-pupal hemolymph of Bombyx mori. Two forms of the inhibitors, named BCPI (BCP inhibitor) alpha and BCPI beta, were purified from the pupal hemolymph by heat treatment and column chromatographies on CM-cellulose, Toyopearl HW-50, Phenyl-Sepharose, and Mono Q. Purified BCPI beta gave a single protein band with a molecular mass of 10,500 daltons on SDS-PAGE. BCPI alpha is mostly composed of the same molecular mass protein as BCPI beta. Both forms were inhibitory towards other cysteine proteinases such as cathepsins L,B and papain but had no effects on trypsin and pepsin. Both forms inhibited the processing of the enzymatically inactive proform of BCP (pro-BCP) to the activated mature BCP. BCPI alpha and BCPI beta shared many other features such as molecular mass determined by gel filtration, antigenicity, and HPLC profiles. NH(2)-terminal amino acid sequencing of the purified inhibitors revealed that three amino acid residues were different in the BCPI alpha and BCPI beta sequences, all others being identical. The hemolymph BCP inhibitor increased activity approximately four- to fivefold at the time of spinning and maintained this level of activity during pupation.

Friends and relations of the cystatin superfamily--new members and their evolution

The cystatin "superfamily" encompasses proteins that contain multiple cystatin-like sequences. Some of the members are active cysteine protease inhibitors, while others have lost or perhaps never acquired this inhibitory activity. In recent years, several new members of the superfamily have characterized, including proteins from insects and plants. Based on partial amino acid homology, new members, such as the invariant chain (Ii), and the transforming growth factor-beta receptor type II (TGF-beta receptor II) may, in fact, represent members of an emerging family within the superfamily that may have used some common building blocks to form functionally diverse proteins. Cystatin super-family members have been found throughout evolution and members of each family of the superfamily are present in mammals today. In this review, the new and older, established members of the family are arranged into a possible evolutionary order, based on sequence homology and functional similarities.

Purification and characterization of a 58,000-Da proteinase inhibitor from the hemolymph of a solitary ascidian, Halocynthia roretzi

A new endogenous proteinase inhibitor from the cell-free hemolymph of a solitary ascidian, Halocynthia roretzi, was purified by a combination of ammonium sulfate fractionation, hydrophobic interaction chromatography on Ether-Toyopearl and affinity chromatography on Heparin-Sepharose. The purity of the inhibitor was examined by SDS-PAGE, gel-permeation chromatography, reversed-phase chromatography, isoelectric focusing, immunological analysis and amino-terminal amino acid sequence analysis. The inhibitor is a single polypeptide chain whose molecular weight, isoelectric point and the first 10 amino-terminal amino acid sequences are 58 kDa, pI 9.2 and NH2-Thr-Lys-Lys-Asp-Gly-Glu-Glu-Lys-Val-Ala, respectively. The purified protein inhibits plasma enzyme(s) of H. roretzi, and the rate of inhibition to the plasma enzyme(s) activity was accelerated by incubation with dextran sulfate, but the effect was neutralized by further incubation with polycation, such as polybrene or protamine sulfate. The inhibitory activity was not affected appreciably by pH 7-10 but ceased completely below pH 5 or by heating at 50 degrees C for 30 min.

Protein protease inhibitors in insects and comparison with mammalian inhibitors

1. Studies on insect protein protease inhibitors are summarized. Biochemical, genetic and physiological investigations of the silkworm are performed. 2. In addition, the properties and characteristics of fungal protease inhibitors from the silkworm (Bombyx mori) are described and their importance as defensive functions is emphasized. 3. This review also concerns comparative and evolutionary studies of protease inhibitors from various sources. 4. The biological significance of inhibitors is discussed in view of the extensive experimental results.

Insect immunity: two proteinase inhibitors from hemolymph of Locusta migratoria

Two protease inhibitors were isolated from the plasma of Locusta migratoria and sequenced. They were 35 and 36 amino acids long and revealed very little similitude for the protease inhibitors isolated from other arthropods. They inhibit the proPhenoloxidase Phenoloxidase proteolytic activation cascade in hemocyte extracts of the same insect. This inhibiting activity resulted in a lower production of PO, a key enzyme for the defence mechanism in arthropods. Both peptides however showed a strong in vitro inhibiting activity toward alpha-chymotrypsin and elastase, LMCI I inhibits the human leukocyte enzyme while LMCI II mostly the pancreatic one, a difference explainable on the basis of the active site sequence changes.

Candida albicans produces a cystatin-type cysteine proteinase inhibitor

A cysteine proteinase inhibitor was found in culture media of Candida albicans. Purification to homogeneity of the inhibitor was performed by carboxymethyl-papain-Sepharose affinity, DE-52 ion-exchange, and reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatographies. The purified inhibitor had an M(r) of 15 kDa and a pI of 4.9. It was more stable to heat and pH than most proteins. The N-terminal sequence of the first 30 residues demonstrated high similarity with that of human cystatin A. Thus, C. albicans cysteine proteinase inhibitor seems to belong to the cystatin superfamily. The inhibitor activity of the yeast cellular form was 4.0 times higher than that of the hyphal cellular form in 7-day culture media. It is suggested that the inhibitor has regulatory functions similar to those of its counterpart proteinases in the invasion of host cells.

Purification of a 29-kDa hemocyte proteinase of Sarcophaga peregrina

Previously, we suggested the participation of a hemocyte proteinase in the dissociation of fat body of Sarcophaga peregrina (flesh fly) at metamorphosis. We have now purified this proteinase to near homogeneity from pupal hemocytes. It is a cysteine proteinase with a molecular mass of 29 kDa and has a unique substrate specificity hydrolyzing both Suc-Leu-Leu-Val-Tyr-MCA and Z-Phe-Arg-MCA (Suc, succinyl; MCA, methylcoumaryl-7-amide; Z, carbobenzoxy), which are substrates for chymotrypsin and cathepsin B, respectively. Partial similarity was found between the amino-terminal sequence of this proteinase and that of cathepsin B, including Pro, Glu and Arg residues conserved in the papain superfamily of enzymes.

Molecular cloning of cDNA for sarcocystatin A and analysis of the expression of the sarcocystatin A gene during development of Sarcophaga peregrina

Sarcocystatin A is a cysteine proteinase inhibitor purified from the hemolymph of Sarcophaga peregrina larvae [Suzuki, T., & Natori, S. (1985) J. Biol. Chem. 260, 5115-5120]. We isolated a cDNA clone for sarcocystatin A and analyzed the structure and expression of the sarcocystatin A gene. Sarcocystatin A consists of 102 amino acid residues. Significant homology was found between amino acid sequences of sarcocystatin A and other mammalian cystatins, and highly conserved sequences among mammalian cystatins were also found in sarcocystatin A. Using cloned cDNA as a probe, we investigated expression of the sarcocystatin A gene during the development of Sarcophaga. Results showed that this gene was transiently activated in the very early embryonic stage and in the pupal stage, suggesting that sarcocystatin A participates in morphogenesis of larval and adult structures of Sarcophaga.

Comparison of serum protein inhibitors from various mammals, chicken and silkworms against four proteases

1. Protein serum inhibitors against four proteases were compared using eight mammals, chicken and silkworms. 2. The similarity of inhibition spectra and electrophoretograms was found in related mammals. 3. In the silkworm and chicken, inhibitory activities against fungal protease and subtilisin were extremely high. 4. Electrophoretic patterns of inhibitors for chymotrypsin and trypsin were very similar in mammals, but different in the silkworm, that is, mammalian inhibitors seemed to show broader protease specificity. 5. Electrophoretic bands of the silkworm inhibitors showed more dispersed molecular species than those of other animals. 6. Column chromatographic patterns of silkworm inhibitors against four proteases showed more diverse and distinct profiles than those of other animals.

Cysteine proteinase inhibitors from rabbit skeletal muscle

1. Two cysteine proteinase inhibitors, I-T (Mr = 29,000) and I-S (Mr = 10,700), were isolated from rabbit skeletal muscle by means of succesive extraction with a neutral buffer solution, precipitation at pH 3.7, acetone fractionation and gel permeation on Sephadex G-75. 2. I-T is a formed trimer of a monomeric inhibitor, I-M (Mr = 10,500), through disulfide bonds. 3. I-S is almost completely stable between pH 3 and 8, while I-M is unstable in the same pH range. 4. I-M acts most effectively towards cathepsins H and L, showing moderate activity towards cathepsin B and only weak activity towards papain. I-S acts most effectively towards cathepsin L, followed by, in decreasing order, cathepsin H, cathepsin B and papain.