Abstract
THE protein trypsin inhibitors are proteins which bind very strongly to trypsin, blocking its active site (Ki = 10−9 to 10−14 M) we have carried out a crystal structure analysis of the complex of soybean trypsin inhibitor (Kunitz) (STI), one of the largest inhibitors, with porcine trypsin. Huber and his colleagues have determined the structure of a complex of a small inhibitor, bovine pancreatic trypsin inhibitor (Kunitz) (PTI), with bovine trypsin1. These studies improve our understanding of the catalytic mechanism of trypsin, demonstrate that various trypsin inhibitors act in a similar way and provide insight into the development of strong, specific binding between protein molecules.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Access options
Subscribe to this journal
Receive 51 print issues and online access
$199.00 per year
only $3.90 per issue
Buy this article
- Purchase on Springer Link
- Instant access to full article PDF
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Rühlmann, A., Kukla, D., Schwager, P., Bartels, K., and Huber, R., J. molec. Biol., 77, 417–436 (1973).
Huber, R., Kukla, D., Rühlmann, A., and Steigemann, W., Cold Spring Harb. Symp. quant. Biol., 36, 141–150 (1971).
Birktoft, J., and Blow, D. M., J. molec. Biol., 68, 187–240 (1972).
Stroud, R. M., Kay, L. M., and Dickerson, R. E., Cold Spring Harb. Symp. quant. Biol., 36, 125–140 (1971).
Blow, D. M., Wright, C. A., Kukla, D., Rühlmann, A., Steigemann, W., and Huber, R., J. molec. Biol., 69, 137–144 (1972).
Niekamp, C. W., Hixson, H. F., jun., and Laskowski, M., jun., Biochemistry, N.Y., 8, 16–22 (1969).
Koide, T., and Ikenaka, T., Eur. J. Biochem., 32, 417–431 (1973).
Steitz, T. A., Henderson, R., and Blow, D. M., J. molec. Biol., 46, 337–348 (1969).
Segal, D. M., Powers, J. C., Cohen, G. H., Davies, D. R., and Wilcox, P. E., Biochemistry, N.Y., 10, 3728–3738 (1972).
Segal, D. M., Biochemistry, N.Y., 11, 349–356 (1972).
Fersht, A. R., Blow, D. M., and Fastrez, J., Biochemistry, N.Y., 12, 2025–2034 (1973).
Blow, D. M., Israel J. Chem., 12, 1974 (in the press).
Hermodson, M. A., Ericsson, L. H., Neurath, H., and Walsh, K. A., Biochemistry, N.Y., 12, 3146–3153 (1973).
Bruice, T. C., Proc. natn. Acad. Sci. U.S.A., 47, 1924–1928 (1961).
Bender, M. L., Kezdy, F. J., J. Am. chem. Soc., 86, 3704–3714 (1964).
Henderson, R., J. molec. Biol., 54, 341–354 (1970).
Caplow, M., J. Am. chem. Soc., 91, 3639–3645 (1969).
Fastrez, J., and Fersht, A. R., Biochemistry, N.Y., 12, 1067–1074 (1972).
Wolfenden, R., Nature, 223, 704–705 (1969).
Pauling, L., Chem. Engng. News, 24, 1375 (1946).
Ako, H., Foster, R. J., and Ryan, C. A., Biochemistry, N.Y., 13, 132–139 (1974).
Lazdunski, M., Vincent, J.-P., Schweitz, H., Peron-Renner, M., and Pudles, J., Second int. Conf. on Proteinase Inhibitors (in the press).
Baugh, R. J., and Trowbridge, C. G., J. biol. Chem., 247, 7498–7501 (1972).
Kauzmann, W., Adv. Prot. Chem., 14, 1–63 (1959).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
BLOW, D., JANIN, J. & SWEET, R. Mode of action of soybean trypsin inhibitor (Kunitz) as a model for specific protein–protein interactions. Nature 249, 54–57 (1974). https://doi.org/10.1038/249054a0
Received:
Revised:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/249054a0
This article is cited by
-
Emergence of symmetric protein architecture from a simple peptide motif: evolutionary models
Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences (2012)
-
Enzyme-mediated Synthesis of Silsesquioxanes
Silicon (2009)
-
Changes of trypsin in activity and secondary structure induced by complex with trypsin inhibitors and tea polyphenol
European Food Research and Technology (2008)
-
Crystal structures of Streptomyces subtilisin inhibitor and its complex with subtilisin BPN′
Nature (1979)
-
Active site of bovine factor XI (plasma thromboplastin antecedent)
Nature (1977)
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.