Probing intermolecular backbone H-bonding in serine proteinase-protein inhibitor complexes
Research article published in Chemistry & biology (1999)
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Intermolecular backbone H-bonding (N-H.O=C) is a common occurrence at the interface of protein-protein complexes. For instance, the amide NH groups of most residues in the binding loop of eglin c, a potent serine proteinase inhibitor from the leech Hirudo medicinalis, are H-bonded to the carbonyl groups of residues in the target enzyme molecules such as chymotrypsin, elastase and subtilisins. We sought to understand the energetic significance of these highly conserved backbone-backbone H-bonds in the enzyme-inhibitor complexes. RESULTS: We synthesized an array of backbone-engineered ester analogs of eglin c using native chemical ligation to yield five inhibitor proteins each containing a single backbone ester bond from P3 to P2' (i.e. -CONH-to -COO-). The structure at the ligation site (P6-P5) is essentially unaltered as shown by a high-resolution analysis of the subtilisin-BPN'-eglin c complex. The free-energy changes (DeltaDeltaGNH-->O) associated with the binding of ester analogs at P3, P1 and P2' with bovine alpha-chymotrypsin, subtilisin Carlsberg and porcine pancreatic elastase range from 0-4.5 kcal/mol. Most markedly, the NH-->O substitution at P2 not only stabilizes the inhibitor but also enhances binding to the enzymes by as much as 500-fold. CONCLUSIONS: Backbone H-bond contributions are context dependent in the enzyme-eglin c complexes. The interplay of rigidity and adaptability of the binding loop of eglin c seems to play a prominent role in defining the binding action.
Abstract sourced from PubMed (NCBI) for the cited record. See the original publication for the authoritative version.
Резюме
Intermolecular backbone H-bonding (N-H.O=C) is a common occurrence at the interface of protein-protein complexes.
Почему это важно для гирудотерапии
This study used native chemical ligation to synthesize backbone-engineered ester analogs of eglin c—a potent serine proteinase inhibitor from the leech Hirudo medicinalis—to probe the energetic contributions of intermolecular backbone hydrogen bonds at the enzyme-inhibitor interface. Five ester analogs with single backbone modifications from P3 to P2' were tested against bovine α-chymotrypsin, subtilisin Carlsberg, and porcine pancreatic elastase, revealing context-dependent free-energy changes (0–4.5 kcal/mol) and a remarkable 500-fold binding enhancement from one NH→O substitution at P2. This is directly relevant to ASH's domain as it provides detailed molecular-level insight into the binding mechanism of a leech-derived proteinase inhibitor. The caveat is that this is a purely in vitro structural and biophysical chemistry study with no therapeutic or clinical implications directly addressed; the findings concern basic protein–protein interaction energetics rather than hirudotherapy applications.
Цитирование
Probing intermolecular backbone H-bonding in serine proteinase-protein inhibitor complexes
Lu W et al. · Chemistry & biology, 1999
Связанный клинический контекст
Узнайте, как это исследование связано с клинической практикой
Добавлено в библиотеку ASH: May 27, 2026 · Последнее обновление сайта: June 18, 2026